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This #eBike Doesn’t Need a Battery

A French inventor has created an e-bike that runs on a #supercapacitor rather than a #LithiumBattery.

By Micah Ling
Published: Dec 07, 2023

"#AdrienLelièvre, has recently engineered a sustainable solution to power the e-bike boom. According to Euronews, Lelièvre 'designed and patented an e-bike called #PiPop, which doesn’t use lithium batteries but supercapacitors.'

"Lelièvre told Euronews, 'The system gets charged when the ride is easy and when the bike brakes—thanks to engine braking—the energy is given back when needed.'

"So, what exactly is a supercapacitor?

"A supercapacitor essentially stocks up energy in the form of a slow-moving charge, which can be released when needed. A battery stocks up energy as a chemical reaction. This means that the bike is constantly stocking up energy when ridden on easier terrain, and then using that energy when going uphill, in the form of an assist.

"According to TS2, 'Supercapacitors, which have been around since the late 1970s, offer several advantages over lithium batteries. Rather than relying on the consumption of natural resources like #lithium or #RareEarthElements, supercapacitors store energy through electrostatic means. This allows them to stock and release energy quickly, providing instant assistance to riders when needed.'

"Unlike many other e-bike manufacturers, Pi-Pop also uses #recyclable materials such as #carbon, conducting polymer, #aluminum foils, and pulp, thus avoiding the need for rare earth elements in its production.

"#TS2 reports that 'the longevity of the Pi-Pop sets it apart from traditional e-bikes. While lithium batteries typically last five to six years, the supercapacitors in the Pi-Pop are projected to have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. This prolongs the bike’s usability, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact associated with battery disposal.'

"Another perk to the Pi-Pop bike is that there’s never a need to charge it when it’s stationary. You’ll never hop on the bike and realize you forgot to charge it up.

"Euronews reports that according to Lelièvre, 'We can’t innovate if we lose control of production. When we talk about sustainable development, ecological transition, and energy transition, we need to provide the jobs.' Lelièvre’s company employs 25 people.

"Pi-Pop currently produces 100 bikes per month. And moving forward the company aims to produce at least 1,000 bikes per month in 2024."

Source:
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a46064993/this-e-bike-doesnt-need-a-battery/
#Bicycles #BikePower #NoLithiumMining

#EV #battery repair is dangerous. Here’s why mechanics want to do it anyway.

Fixing car and #ebike batteries saves money and resources — but challenges are holding back the industry.

by Maddie Stone, Dec 08, 2023

"About three times a day, Rich Benoit gets a call to his auto shop, The Electrified Garage, from the owner of an older Tesla Model S whose car battery has begun to fail. The battery, which used to provide several hundred miles of range, might suddenly only last 50 miles on a single charge. These cars are often out of warranty, and the cost of replacing the battery can exceed $15,000.

"For most products, repair is a more affordable option than replacement. And in theory, lots of these Tesla batteries can be fixed, said Benoit, who runs one of the few Tesla-focused independent repair shops in the United States. But due to the time and training involved, the safety considerations, and the complexity of the repair, Benoit said that the bill to fix one car battery at his shop might run upwards of $10,000 — more than most consumers are willing to pay. Instead, he said, many choose to sell or donate their old vehicle for scrap and buy a brand new Tesla.

“'It’s getting to the point where [the car] is almost like a consumable, like a TV,' Benoit said.

"Benoit’s experience heralds a problem that early adopters of EVs, as well as electric micromobility devices like e-bikes and #escooters, are beginning to face: These vehicles contain big, expensive batteries that will inevitably degrade or stop working over time. Repairing these batteries can have sustainability benefits, saving energy and resources that would otherwise be used to manufacture a new one. That’s particularly important for EVs, which contain very large batteries that must be used for years to offset the carbon emissions associated with making them.

But many EV and e-mobility batteries are difficult to repair by design, and some manufacturers actively discourage the practice, citing safety concerns. The small number of independent mechanics who repair EV or e-bike batteries struggle to do so affordably due to design challenges, safety requirements, and a lack of access to spare parts.

“'There are a lot of automakers who do not allow battery repair, even in case of minor damages to the battery case,' a GDV spokesperson told Grist. Automakers sometimes choose to replace the battery if the car was involved in an accident that caused the airbags to activate. Both practices 'will lead to an increase of repair costs,' and ultimately, higher insurance premiums, the spokesperson said.

"New rules around EV battery repairability would come at a critical time. Helps, of Cox Automotive, said that two trends in EV battery design are occurring in parallel: 'Batteries are either becoming very serviceable, or not serviceable at all.'

"Some, like the batteries inside Volkswagon’s ID.4, feature LEGO-like modules that are easy to remove and replace. Others, like Tesla’s new 4680 structural battery pack, don’t include modules at all. Instead, all of the cells are bonded together and bonded to the pack itself, a design Helps described as 'impossible to service.' If a bad cell group is found, the entire battery must be replaced.

“'It’s still a fully #recyclable battery,' Helps said. 'You’re just not able to repair it.'

"#Tesla didn’t respond to Grist’s request for comment."

Full article:
https://grist.org/transportation/ev-battery-repair-is-dangerous-heres-why-mechanics-want-to-do-it-anyway/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us