The embryonic stage of electric bicycles

In the wave of electric bicycle technology breakthroughs, Ecoe 5000W dual-motor electric bicycle has redefined the industry benchmark as a disruptor:

–

Core parameters:
Dual motors work together to output 5000W peak power
60V 32Ah lithium battery pack achieves 80km pure electric range
40° steep slope conquering ability and 200N・m torque
All-terrain dual suspension system + hydraulic disc brake combination

–
Riding experience:
In the actual test in Huangshan, the dual motor drive can easily cope with continuous curves with a slope of 15%, and the intelligent torque distribution system ensures power stability under complex road conditions. The combination of all-terrain tires and dual suspension systems reduces the bumpy feeling on cobblestone roads by more than 70%. The three-mode switching (pure electric/power-assisted/manpowered) design not only meets the needs of racing, but also can extend the range to 120km through the manpower mode.

–
🔬 Technology Origin and Early Exploration
In 1895, American engineer Ogden Bolton Jr. integrated a DC hub motor into the rear wheel of a bicycle and obtained the first electric bicycle patent in human history. Although this design achieved electric drive, it was limited by the heavy weight (30kg) and endurance (10km) of lead-acid batteries and remained in the laboratory stage. The real breakthrough occurred in the 1980s:

–
1983: Shanghai Yongjiu launched the DX-130 electric bicycle, which uses a 150W cylindrical motor and a 24V lead-acid battery, with a maximum speed of 20km/h and a range of 50km on a single charge. The vehicle is based on a women’s diagonal beam bicycle and became the starting point for the commercialization of electric bicycles in China.

–
1989: Yamaha of Japan started the research and development of electric bicycles and officially launched the world’s first commercialized product, the PAS series, in 1994. Its innovation lies in the introduction of torque sensors to achieve intelligent coordinated drive of manpower and electricity, solving the problem of high energy consumption of traditional pure electric drive.

–
🚲 The embryonic stage of the Chinese market (1992-1998)

–
In 1992, China included electric bicycles in the “Eighth Five-Year Plan” scientific and technological research projects, and companies in Shanghai, Nanjing, Tianjin and other places began to independently develop:
Technical breakthrough: Chongqing’s “Zhonghua” electric bicycle uses a disc-type low-speed motor, and the rear wheel can be disengaged from the motor to achieve human riding; Hangzhou’s “Haishi” HDZ-06 model has a speed of 32km/h and a range of 65km.

–
Industry pain points: The short life of lead-acid batteries (about 50 charging and discharging times), reduced efficiency in winter, and a vehicle weight of more than 50kg have limited market acceptance. In 1998, the national sales volume was only 54,000 units.

–
Key turning points:
In 1995, Tsinghua University developed the first column-type brushless DC motor, marking the entry of China’s electric bicycle technology into a new era. The motor’s efficiency increased by 15%, and the noise was reduced to below 70dB, laying the foundation for subsequent lightweight and long-range designs.

–
🌍 Global commercialization process
Japan: In 1994, Yamaha PAS series was launched. Through torque sensor technology, electric bicycles were upgraded from “transportation tools” to “labor-saving partners”, and sales exceeded 100,000 units that year.

–
Europe: In 1993, the Dutch company Batavus launched its first electric bicycle, which uses hub motors and lead-acid batteries, focusing on the urban commuting market, and priced at 3,000 euros.

–
💡 The significance of technology accumulation
Although there were many technical bottlenecks in the embryonic stage, it laid three foundations for the development of the industry:
Supply chain prototype: preliminary research and development of core components such as motors, batteries, and controllers, giving birth to supporting industrial clusters;
Policy awareness: In 1999, the “General Technical Conditions for Electric Bicycles” was issued, clarifying the “non-motor vehicle” attributes and paving the way for subsequent legalization;
Market enlightenment: Through small-batch trials, early users’ awareness of electric bicycles was cultivated, laying the groundwork for explosive growth after 2000.