For immediate publication - a sample copy would be much appreciated!
China: on its way to becoming a land of high-end pedelecs
The ExtraEnergy Pedelec and E-Bike Test Autumn 2014
The Autumn 2014 ExtraEnergy ride and ergonomics testing season has now closed. And with over 20 years of development behind it, the well-proven ExtraEnergy test methodology has attracted the attention of the China Bicycle Association (CBA).
From the 19th October until the 11th November, a total of 29 testers evaluated pedelecs for their ride performance off-road, in everyday riding and on tour, as well as for their ease of handing in everyday use.
Testing off-road pedelecs
ExtraEnergy has tested pedelecs and e-bikes as an independent organisation since 1992. The tests have always been carried out under predominantly real-world conditions, and they include a riding test, the ergonomics test and now, for the first time, an extensive off-road pedelec test.
Sandra Winkler (MD, ExtraEnergy Test GmbH) said: “It is because of the steady growth of off-road pedelecs in the market, and as a result of repeated demands from manufacturers, that we decided to carry out an extended off-road pedelec test as part of our Autumn 2014 test season. This lets us test off-road pedelecs for their performance in off-road conditions in addition to the ergonomics test and the riding tests for performance in everyday riding and on tour.” The test circuit is located at the Bleilochtalsperre in the Saale-Orla region, runs through Saalburg and Kulm, and meets the specific needs of off-roading. “We are delighted to have attracted professional riders from the mountain biking world to our test track, as they can ride superbly and bring with them a great understanding of the technology.”
One of the six test riders for the off-road pedelec test is Marco Hösel, six times World Champion Trials rider. “The test circuit has everything we need,” Marco Hösel confirmed. “Flat sections, steep, sharp climbs and lovely flowing trails with technical sections. There’s nothing else needed: it’s the perfect test environment to compare the various drive systems under review, be they on hardtails or fullies. Cool bikes, fine weather, and great supervision by the ExtraEnergy team. Simply perfect. Ride on.”
Ride testing pedelecs
The riding test consists of a test circuit of 14.5 km in total, for evaluating performance in everyday riding and touring capability. With moderate climbs and varying surfaces including country lanes, gravel tracks and forest tracks, the ‘Tour’ circuit reflects a typical cycle ride route.
The first ‘Hills’ section on the everyday riding route covers almost a kilometre with a moderate gradient of 5% on average. This section is particularly useful in evaluating the range and power assist factor on hills.
On the ‘City’ section, ride performance in urban areas with stop and go traffic is simulated. In total there are eight stopping points at which the performance starting off can be tested.
The second ‘Hills’ stretch is shorter than the first, and with an average slope of 12% it is also considerably steeper. Furthermore, there is a compulsory stop at the start of this section so that the hill start performance of the bikes can be tested.
The ergonomics test
The focus of the ergonomics test is how the pedelec performs in everyday use. A wide-ranging questionnaire covering battery and charger use, mounting on a car rear carrier rack, lifting the bike over standard steps or onto a load bed, pushing the bike and making the necessary ergonomic adjustments, and a test ride, are all scored. For quicker processing and analysis of the ergonomics test results these evaluations are now being collected digitally from the start.
On the invitation of the ADFC Bayern, the testers came to Tanna and tested the pedelecs for their performance in daily use. Helmut Hareiner, Technical and Traffic Officer for the Fürstenfeldbruck regional branch of the ADFC explained his participation: “At the ADFC we run cycle technology courses, and there are frequently questions about electric bikes. Here at the ergonomics test I can get to know a wide variety of drive systems, and this will enable me to give informed recommendations which reflect the latest state of the art.”
Monika Hereth from electric bike specialist dealer ebike-hereth said: “I think it is fantastic that so many manufacturers have submitted bikes with belt drive. Previously we’d had almost no experience of this; now we’ve added belt drive bikes to our 2015 range.”
China recognises over 20 years of test experience
From the 20th to 30th October 2014, Shiguang Yu, Director of the Technology and Testing Department of the China Bicycle Association (CBA) visited ExtraEnergy and observed the Pedelec and E-Bike Test. The CBA represents the Chinese cycle industry, as well as promoting Chinese interests in significant IEC and ISO standardisation groups. “I believe that the ExtraEnergy Pedelec and E-Bike Test increases product understanding, and this makes it an important source of information for end users. Manufacturers benefit from the test by learning the degree of customer wish fulfilment their products deliver. A further significant point is the improvement in quality which this drives,” said Shiguang Yu, reflecting on his experience at ExtraEnergy.
Jean Chen (MD of ExtraEnergy Services GmbH & Co. KG) added: “The test helps consumers to find the product that is best suited to them personally, and it can also contribute to improving quality in the Chinese LEV (Light Electric Vehicle) industry.”
Hannes Neupert (Chairman, ExtraEnergy e.V.) said: “Quality improvement is our core competence: looking back over the last 22 years, it is clear that ExtraEnergy has played a key role when it came to achieving today’s high quality levels in the LEV industry. We are very happy to co-operate with the CBA. We would be delighted to roll out this quality improvement to the Chinese market, too.”
This practical testing season has now closed, and after analysis of the measured data, the test results will be published in the ExtraEnergy Magazine in Spring 2015.
About ExtraEnergy Test GmbH
ExtraEnergy Test GmbH is a subsidiary of ExtraEnergy e.V.. Since 2012, the ExtraEnergy Test GmbH is responsible for carrying out ExtraEnergy´s independent pedelec and e-bike tests.
The ExtraEnergy Test verdict is a recognised marker of a good product, offering customers reliable guidance for their purchases. The flip side of independent buying advice is straight-talking warnings about substandard products.
About ExtraEnergy e.V.
ExtraEnergy e.V. has carried out independent e-bike and pedelec tests since 1992. Since then the organisation has established itself as the most influential information, user protection and promotional organisation for light electric vehicles (LEVs) worldwide.
The ExtraEnergy Test verdict is a recognised stamp which marks out good products and offers customers reliable guidance for their purchasing. The flip side of independent buying advice is straight-talking warnings about substandard products.
The founders realised from the start that these vehicles need to be experienced first-hand. Since 1997 the Test IT Track has been on the road, and today has three units for the Test IT Show. ExtraEnergy is also rooted at its test facility in Tanna, where 22 years of test reports and LEV history are on display at the LEV Museum.
Other services on offer include presentations and exhibitions at trade and public shows, plus information distribution with the assistance of correspondents worldwide.
Alongside our physical presence, www.extraenergy.org provides a treasure-house of information online. With support from the European Union and the IEA (International Energy Agency), in 2012 the GoPedelec! Handbook was published in German, English, Dutch, Hungarian, Czech, Italian, Spanish and Chinese, including much new information and best practice studies for electric-assist two-wheelers.
As founding members of the EnergyBus and BATSO (Battery Safety Organization) associations, ExtraEnergy is also active on both the ISO (International Standards Organisation) Standards Committee, with a focus on mechanical standardisation, and on the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), and so helps set safety and communication standards for LEVs worldwide.
PR contact:
ExtraEnergy e.V.
Angela Budde
T 0366 46 27094
E redaktion@extraenergy.org
For immediate publication - a sample copy would be much appreciated! |
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