TWIKE - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The TWIKE is a human-electric hybrid vehicle

Human-electric hybrid vehicle

A human-electric hybrid vehicle is a hybrid vehicle, or more specifically a hybrid human powered vehicle, whose drivetrain consists of a human being and an electric motor/generator...

(HEHV)/light electric vehicle (LEV) designed to carry two passengers and cargo. It can be driven in electric-only mode or electric + pedal power mode (pedaling extends the range of the vehicle but does not substantially add to the vehicle's top speed).

Constructed of lightweight materials such as aluminium

Aluminium

Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....

and plastic

Plastic

A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...

, this 246 kg (542 lb) (unladen) tricycle

Tricycle

A tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle. While tricycles are often associated with the small three-wheeled vehicles used by pre-school-age children, they are also used by adults for a variety of purposes. In the United States and Canada, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily by older persons for...

vehicle uses a 336 volt, 3.3 kilowatt-hour nickel-cadmium battery

Nickel-cadmium battery

The nickel–cadmium battery ' is a type of rechargeable battery using nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium as electrodes....

or a 6 kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery

Nickel metal hydride battery

A nickel–metal hydride cell, abbreviated NiMH, is a type of rechargeable battery similar to the nickel–cadmium cell. The NiMH battery uses a hydrogen-absorbing alloy for the negative electrode instead of cadmium. As in NiCd cells, the positive electrode is nickel oxyhydroxide...

and 3 kilowatt electric motor for primary power to the drivetrain. The battery can be fully recharged from a common 230V house outlet in 1.5 to 2 hours (NiMH: 3 hours). Additional energy is reclaimed while driving through regenerative braking, and load is removed from the electric system by use of the pedal

Bicycle pedal

A bicycle pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the bicycle. It provides the connection between the cyclist's foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket spindle and propel the bicycle's wheels...

ling system which transfers its input directly to the drivetrain (i.e., both systems operate in parallel, not in series).

TWIKE owners, who often refer to themselves as TWIKE pilots, host periodic gatherings and tours in Europe and the United States to popularize the vehicle and celebrate its driving experience, which enthusiasts describe as an entertaining form of cardio-vascular exercise. Hosted primarily by the TWIKE KLUB organizations in Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

and Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

, such events have included rallies and tours of Europe and the U.S.

Method of Operation

In motion, the TWIKE is controlled using a single joystick, more akin to the tiller on a sailboat than a computer 'drive-by-wire' joystick. It is generally capable of speeds up to 85 kilometers per hour (53 mph). Fully charged, the vehicle is capable of travelling between 40 and 90 kilometers (25–55 miles) per charge on the NiCd batteries, and up to 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) per charge on LiMn, depending on terrain, speed, driving style, weight of passengers and cargo, and of course the amount of pedaling by the pilot and passenger.

The TWIKE's on-board computer controls all aspects of battery charging, discharging and power utilization. Modification of user-controllable system parameters can significantly affect performance, yielding faster or slower acceleration and longer or shorter ranges (American TWIKE enthusiasts have reported achieving speeds in excess of 105 km/h (65 mph)).

Cost of operation

In the United Kingdom, a kWh of electricity costs between 3 and 15 pence (average: 7 pence), meaning a full charge of a standard two-battery TWIKE would cost about 21-31 pence. In the United States, a kWh of electricity costs generally 10 cents, subject to change, meaning a full charge would cost 30 to 45 cents.

If variable rate electric plans are available with reduced rates at non-peak hours (typically in the wee hours of the morning), overnight kWh rates can be as low as 1-3 cents (US), thus a full charge could be had for as little as 3-9 cents.

To compare to refueling a gasoline-powered car, filling up a Twike to go the equivalent miles of a 'tank full' of gas in a 4-door car (8 charge cycle

Charge cycle

A charge cycle is the process of charging a rechargeable battery and discharging it as required into a load. The term is typically used to specify a battery's expected life, as the number of charge cycles affects life more than the mere passage of time...

s would equal approximately 300 miles (482.8 km), or 'a tankful' on an average sedan, since a two-battery TWIKE has a range of up to 40 miles (64.4 km)) would cost at:

1 cent/kWh = 24 cents for 300 miles (482.8 km)
3 cents/kWh = 72 cents for 300 miles (482.8 km)
10 cents/kWh = $2.40 for 300 miles (482.8 km)

It's easy to see that consistently charging during the night with a variable rate pricing plan can have quite an impact on the bottom line of EV ownership, and it is also good for the environment as power plants can only scale back to a certain minimum production level.

However, as with all electric vehicles (EVs) the cost of battery replacement cannot be ignored. Total cost of ownership per mile is a more accurate comparison to a typically fueled vehicle rather than the amazingly cheap 'fill-up' cost, but also includes other factors such as license & registration fees, parking fees etc. that are very specific to each owner/application.

One of the most expensive and critical parts of an EV are its batteries, and they have to be periodically replaced depending on numerous factors such as age, battery care (how they were charged/discharged, what temperature they were stored at) as well as the number of charging cycles. Depending on single-charge range requirements and how different battery types operate near their end-of-life, reduced range may not necessitate replacement allowing the batteries to be used past the maximum charging cycles listed (i.e., if new batteries can take you initially 40 miles (64.4 km) a charge, and the batteries are listed as max 1500 charging cycles, that's 1500 charging cycles at full 40 miles (64.4 km) range. But if you only drive 5 miles (8 km) between charging stations, as long as the batteries can go 5–8 miles per charge you may be able to get quite a bit more than 1500 charging cycles).

Selection of the battery chemistry (Lead-Acid, NiCad, NiMH, Li-ion, Li-pol) is a trade-off based on the qualities of the battery: Deep Cycle

Deep cycle battery

A deep-cycle battery is a lead-acid battery designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity. In contrast, starter batteries are designed to deliver short, high-current bursts for cranking the engine, thus frequently discharged of only a very small part of their capacity...

(Marine or RV) Lead-Acid batteries are the most often in EV's, since they are fairly rugged, require little care, cheap and readily available. The trade-offs are they take a long time to charge and have one of the lowest (worst) energy to weight ratios. Simply put, they don't go as far per kilogram. Most Lead-Acid based EV's require charging times of 8 hours or more (overnight) for a full charge. NiCad and NiMH have shorter charge times (2 hours for a full charge for a Twike at European 230V/16A) and therefore allow for quick partial charges for when you underestimate how far you are from your normal charging destination and need to grab a quick get-me-there charge on the road. They are also significantly more energy dense (energy/weight ratio) than Lead-Acid. The trade-off is that they are more expensive, less easily acquired and require more careful care. Each battery chemistry also comes with its own drawbacks and it behooves the EV owner to become familiar with battery technology prior to purchase or ownership.

Calculations made from data from the UK Twike site on August 6, 2007. Monetary conversions to US$ on August 28, 2007.
-> This calculation is out of date because there are much better batteries available based on Lithium-Manganese.

NiCd, 2 x 3.6 Ah

max 40 miles (64.4 km), max 1500 charging cycles, cost £3,180 (US$ 6,371)
will cost £2.12 (US $4.25) per cycle or 5.3 pence (US $0.11) per mile at best driving
will last between 30,000 and 60000 miles (96,560.4 km)

NiCd, 3 x 3.6 Ah

max 55 miles (88.5 km), max 1500 charging cycles, cost £4,270 (US$ 8,555)
will cost £2.84 (US$ 5.69) per cycle or 5.2 pence (US$0.10) per mile at best driving
will last between 45,000 and 82500 miles (132,770.6 km)

NiMH, 2 x 8.9 Ah

max 90 miles (144.8 km), max 700 charging cycles, cost £6,980 (US$13,984)
will cost £9.97 (US$19.98) per cycle or 11.1 pence (US$0.22) per mile at best driving
will last between 35,000 and 63000 miles (101,388.4 km)

Availability for Purchase

The TWIKE is currently being manufactured in Germany

Germany

by FINE Mobile GmbH and may be driven on public roads by drivers with a full driving license

Driver's license

A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...

.

In the United States, there are approximately 20-25 Twikes, with at least 10 TWIKES currently in operation. The Twike is registered with the US DOT as a motorcycle, and thus is legal to import or to drive anywhere motorcycles may be ridden. This is a Federal designation, which applies in all 50 of the United States. Import to Canada and Mexico is possible, pending government approval in those countries or an equivalent NAFTA ruling.

The 2007 Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...

Christmas Book offered the TWIKE for sale. Their exclusive edition featured a sporty British racing green exterior to balance its silver-grey interior, velour carpeting, and leather seats. ($40,000; page 89)

Normal pricing for a TWIKE is between 17.800 € to 32.200 €, depending on the model chosen.

History

More than 850 TWIKES have been sold, most of them operating on the streets of Switzerland

Switzerland

and Germany

Germany

. They are also driven in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, Austria

Austria

Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

, the Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

, Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

, France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

, Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, and the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

The TWIKE I was developed for the 1986 World EXPO in Vancouver, Canada by a group of Swiss students. It won the "Functionality Award" for the best ergonomic design in the Innovative Vehicle Design Competition (IVDC) and a first prize in the International Human Powered Vehicle Speed Championship . The TWIKE I was completely driven by human power.

Inspired by the success of the TWIKE I, a group of enthusiasts including Ralph Schnyder and Peter Zeller began to develop the TWIKE II as a step towards a vehicle for everyday road use. It was developed in cooperation with Alusuisse-Lonza Services, has been shown on the HEUREKA exhibition in Zürich, and took part in the 1991 Tour de Sol Alpin. The TWIKE II featured a belt pedal drive with infinitely variable mechanical transmission and a DC motor powered by NiCd batteries to help propel the vehicle. The suitability for everyday use turned out to be significantly improved.

In 1992, the newly founded TWIKE Ltd. decided to develop the TWIKE II into a production vehicle and began looking for capital and customers. Production of the TWIKE III began in 1995 and during 1996 the now reformed TWIKE AG produced and sold 190 vehicles, mostly in Switzerland and Germany. The TWIKE III was already equipped with an asynchronous AC motor and 336V NiCd batteries - the system that is still in use today. The pedal drive was simplified to a 5-speed hub gear and was included in all but very few special order vehicles.

In 1998, FINE Mobile GmbH launched its German TWIKE production line and finally became the exclusive producer of the TWIKE after taking over the rights of the SwissLEM AG in 2002.
Today the TWIKE is produced in Rosenthal, a small village in Hessen near Marburg.

In the same city, team TW4XP announced their entry into the Automotive X Prize

Automotive X Prize

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE was a set of competitions, programs and events, from the X Prize Foundation to "inspire a new generation of super-efficient vehicles that help break America's addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change." Progressive Insurance was the title...

with their Twike-based TW4XP human-electric hybrid vehicle.

External links

Twike.com, Manufacturer (Fine Mobile GmbH)
Twike 433 UIUC.edu, caretaker's blog (US Twike Owner) at UIUC Engineering Campus
UIUC Engineering Campus
The Engineering Campus is the colloquial name for the Bardeen Quadrangle and the Beckman Quadrangle at the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.-Bardeen Quadrangle:...
TwikeKlub.ch, Twike klub forum
Twike.UK
Twike.us
Twike.ca
Twike.lu
Phlogma.com, Translation of the first Twike operators manual
Twike.com, Information
EcoCarForum.com, English forum for the Twike and other eco-friendly cars

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Method of Operation

Cost of operation

Availability for Purchase

History

See also

External links