velomobiles – 100% more range than bicycles by better aerodynamics

Even with extra weight, due to vastly better aerodynamics, velomobiles have the range 50% to 100% higher, compared to upright bicycles or unfaired recumbents, with similar electric assist unit and similar battery. Furthermore, a velomobile (even without electric assistance) is much faster than an electric bicycle. Velotilt can speed up to 55km/h with 150 watts of power.
At speeds below 10 km/h (6 mph), rolling resistance is the biggest challenge for a cyclist. Air resistance becomes increasingly influential at higher speeds, and becomes the dominant force at speeds above 25 km/h (15.5 mph). This is because rolling resistance increases in proportion to speed, while air drag increases with the square of speed. Because a velomobilist has much better aerodynamics than a bicyclist – the drag coefficient of a velomobilist is up to 30 times lower. Even in the Netherlands, the most bicycle-friendly country in Europe, 77 % of bike trips are less than 5 km.

GinzVelo Features : Chassis: ICE Adventure. Electric Drive: E-BikeKit 500w Brushless Hub Motor. Battery: ALLCELL 48V 20 Ah. Max Speed (electric only): 20 MPH. Max Speed (human only): 30 MPH+. Range (electric only): 75-100 miles. Range (Human only): unlimited. Storage Capacity: 2 cubic feet. Lights: All LED Headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals .

Electric Velomobilesare as Fast and Comfortable as Automobiles, but 80 times more Efficient. Both the velomobile and the electric bicycle increase the limited range of the cyclist – the former optimises aerodynamics and ergonomics, while the latter assists muscle power with an electric motor fuelled by a battery. The electric velomobile combines both approaches, and so maximises the range of the cyclist – so much so that it is able to replace most, if not all, automobile trips. While electric velomobiles have a speed and range that is comparable to that of electric cars, they are up to 80 times more efficient. About a quarter of the existent wind turbines would suffice to power as many electric velomobiles as there are people.
The biggest obstacle for manufacturers and drivers of electric velomobiles is legislation. Many countries have effectively outlawed electric velomobiles by limiting the speed, power output and use of the electric motor. There is no mechanical limit to the speeds that this type of velomobile could achieve. There is no reason why a velomobile can’t go as fast as 120 km/h (75 mph). In fact, the speed record for an unassisted velomobile stands at more than 130 km/h (80 mph).

The WAW stands out because of its weight, it is 28 kg, compared to 34 kg the weight of other velomobiles. The eWAW has everything that the WAW has, plus an electric motor of 250 watts and a surprisingly small battery of 288 Wh, which takes you 60 to 130 km further. The battery and the motor add only 5 kg, bringing the total weight of the vehicle to 33 kg. This is comparable to the weight of other velomobiles without electric assistance. Hence, this pedal powered Ferrari is more than 10 kg lighter than other velomobiles, with a 250 watt electric assistance. The eWAW can be equipped with one or two extra batteries, which increases the range up to 180 km. If we apply the same trick to the Nissan Leaf (where three times as many batteries take the place of the rear seat and the trunk), total weight increases from 1,582 kg (the driver of 70 kg included) to 2,022 kg – a weight gain of 30%. Another way to increase the range of an electric vehicle is swapping batteries or fast-charging them. These options are available for both electric cars and velomobiles, but developing a charging infrastructure for electric cars is a daunting task, while doing so for electric velomobiles is easy. The battery of the eWAW not only needs 80 times less energy than the battery of a Nissan Leaf (which makes fast-charging a real option), it also weighs 73 times less (which makes swapping batteries a very low-tech operation). While we do have faster vehicles for long distances that are equally sustainable (like trains and trolleybusses), the velomobile offers an alternative for those who prefer a personal means of transportation, or for those who prefer an active lifestyle.
Cycling literature makes a distinction between three types of cyclists: people with an average fitness level, people with a good fitness level, and top athletes. Riders with an average fitness can maintain a power output of 100 to 150 watts over a period of one hour. Riding a WAW, this translates to speeds of 35 to 40 km/h in ideal conditions. Drivers with a good fitness level can deliver 200 watts of power over a period of one hour, which translates to speeds of 45 to 50 km/h under the same circumstances. With 250 watts of power, the electric motor of the eWAW gives a person with an average fitness level, the power output of an athlete (100 + 250 watts = 350 watts).

The development team of VeloTilt consists of Will Schermer- the idea and funding guy, David Weilemaker- design and aerodynamics, George-emile Tokaya- design and ergonomics, Bram Smit- FFWD, design and construction, Jan Reus- composites, and Arnold Ligtvoet- commercial development. Wielemaker and Tokaya are both members of the Delft Technical University HPT team and were designers of the Velox2, which reached a speed of 129.6 Km/h (80.1 mph) at Battle Mountain, NV, so a lot of what they learned from that experience is going into this project.
In a presentation the team pointed out a few issues with current velomobiles: Not always easy to enter and exit, Fall over when cornering too fast, Limited cargo space, Not easy to maintain, Require a large storage area. So they also outlined the design goals for the VeloTilt project: Tilting for safe cornering and fun to ride, Easy entrance, Usable for people from 1.6 to 2 meter ( roughly 5’ 4” to 6’ 7”), 70 liters of luggage space, Excellent braking, Speed 55km/h with 150 watts of power, All technical parts easily accessible, Storage in .8 x 1 meter space.

The eight-foot-long, three-foot-wide trike is a breakthrough in the world of velomobiles thanks to its ability to lean into turns. Three-wheel vehicles, by contrast, are prone to roll-overs when cornering at speed. The VeloTilt team spent more than two years tackling that “locking” problem, wrestling over how to keep the body upright when it needed to be while still allowing it to lean smoothly around turns. What’s more impressive, the entire body is held on with four bolts, as is the drivetrain assembly to the chassis and all parts can be found in a well-stocked bike shop. The Velo Tilt comes with a trunk that you can easily store your groceries in. Drivers will have the option to purchase a one-horsepower electric wheel and small battery that would help power the bike to 60 mph for 160 miles.