 |
| North Carolina-based entrepreneur Jesse Stephenson with his eFox. |
YOUNG designers in the United States and Austria have launched two
electric-assisted bicycles, which demonstrates how far some people will go not
to pay ever increasing fuel prices.
In the U.S., the eFox is currently raising production funds on
Kickstarter.
In Austria, the brothers Mario and Daniel Preining have designed a
bolt-on motor that is robust enough to use on mountain bike trails. It retails
from $3 299 (R32 377), excluding the price of the mountain bike.
 |
| Mario Preining prepares to jump with the Ergon motor. |
The brothers Preining say the price includes everything you need to
start motoring up a mountain, including the Ergon backpack, charger and mounting
hardware.
If these prices sound steep, get used to it, for unless they come
from China, electric-assisted bicycles all cost the price of a used City Golf.
In Durban, the Pedego bicycle sells from R24 750.
The eFox is designed by North Carolina-based entrepreneur Jesse
Stephenson, and is being manufactured by his company Nu Way 2 Commute.
 |
| An alimunium hull protects the Ergon motor. |
It uses an existing Terra Trike Rover recumbent tricycle as its
platform, onto which is added a fibreglass body shell, a wind shield and rear
window (plus roll-down clear plastic doors), a full lighting package, and a
36-volt, 15-amp lithium battery.
Power comes from a 500-watt hub motor. The eFox weighs 60 kg and
can carry a payload of 122 kg.
It can reach 32 km/h and should be able to travel about 48 km on
the motor only. Users can extend that range by pedalling for at least part of
the trip. A full charge of the battery takes approximately four to five hours
from empty.
