Frequently asked questions electric scooters the commuter scooter store

Motorino FAQs

TECHNICAL ISSUES

1. What is the range of fully charged MOTORINO™ scooter?
The range is affected by the load on the bike, the type of terrain and the skill of the rider. The scooters can hold two battery packs:
a) With the basic battery pack the range is 50 km on flat pavement with a load of 170lbs;
b) With the dual battery pack the range is extended to 80 km;
c) Effective use of the regenerative braking system can extend the range by 15%

2. What is the top speed of a MOTORINO™ scooter?
Most MOTORINO scooters are classified as bicycles in Canada and as such we must use an electronic governor to limit the speed to 32kph

3. How is riding a MOTORINO™ electric scooter different from riding a gas bike?
We believe an electric scooter is immensely more comfortable than a gas bike:
a) It is absolutely quiet;
b) It has no clutch, power comes on smoothly and quickly – 0 to 30km/hr in 4 seconds; c) It has no exhaust, electric vehicles reduce and centralize carbon emissions;
d) It has a lower center of gravity, the heaviest components- batteries and motor- are mounted very low in the frame, making the bike easier to manage than a regular bicycle;

4. What inclines can the MOTORINO™ scooter handle?
The MOTORINO™ HT series equipped with a geared motor with DYNATECH™ torque converter can handle hills of up to 20 degrees with a load of 170Lb. The MOTORINO™ electric scooters with 500W CCT™ driving system can handle hills of 21-25 degrees with the same load.

5. What are the pedals for? Do I need to start the scooter by pedaling?
You don’t need to start the scooter by pedaling. The MOTORINO™ motor is powerful enough to accelerate the bike, even on steep terrain. The pedals are necessary to qualify the scooter as a bicycle; freeing it from licensing restriction and insurance and parking fees. The pedals are also useful if you undertake a particularly long commute- and you forget your charger at home.

6. What maintenance is required?
The MOTORINO™ electric scooter is designed to be maintenance free. Consider the fact that this scooter has no combustion engine, no transmission, no belts, no chains, no clutch, no spark plugs, no carburetor, and uses no gasoline and no lubricants- it requires almost no maintenance. The diligent owner will ensure the tires are properly inflated, the battery is kept charged, the brakes are well tensioned, and that the nuts securing the rear axle are tight. Modular components are maintenance free. Our new motors and controllers are more robust than previous MOTORINO generations, and are supremely more durable than other LEV drive systems. The most common technical problem are flat tires; easily repaired with the tubeless repair kit included with the bike.

7. How do I get parts for my MOTORINO™ scooter?
Expendable parts like tires, tubes, bulbs, etc. can be found in just about any regular bike store. For components specific to our machines you will find a detailed parts list on our website. We carry all parts to service our new models, and can order parts for older bikes. MOTORINO® scooters are covered by a one year warranty, two years for the motor and six months for the battery (warranty policy may vary, please check with your local supplier).

8. How do I charge the battery?
The battery charges when it is plugged into any common 110V wall outlet. The battery can be left in the bike, and the charger connected to a plug below the seat- or the battery can be removed from the bike, brought indoors and charged directly. The battery doesn’t suffer from memory and can be charged from any state. For longer battery life it must be plugged in after every ride. You can charge the battery overnight as there is almost no danger of overcharging. When the battery is at capacity the charger switches to a trickle charge and prevents damage to the cells.

9. How long will the batteries last? What is the battery life cycle? What is the battery replacement price?
The battery is a series of four lead acid cells and is good for 300-400 charge cycles. This will last the regular rider for 1.5-2 years. However if you do not deep cycle the battery and employ a desulphator you can double the number of cycles and extend the battery life to 2-3 years or more. The replacement cost of the basic 20AH battery pack is $330.00 and the second 14AH battery is $280.00.

10. How can I know my consumption, battery condition and energy level?
The MOTORINO® scooters dashboard has an indicator showing at any time the consumption current and the current you are generating while breaking. Another indicator shows the percentage of the energy left in the battery.

11. How much power does the bike consume? How much will it increase my utility bill? Charging the dual battery setup consumes 1.2 Kilowatt-hours; electricity costs $0.06 per KWH which means that fully charging the bike from empty costs just over seven cents.

12. If I have two batteries do I need to carry them all the time?
Sometimes storage space takes priority over range. The second battery can be easily removed to clear space for cargo. However, before plugging the second battery back in; make sure both battery packs are fully charged. Using two batteries increases range, prolongs battery life and reduces power sagging on steep hills under heavy load.

13. If one of the batteries has a problem do I need to replace them all?
Not necessarily. If the batteries are relatively new it is most likely a single defective cell. Simply ask your dealer to load test the cells and only replace the ones which are underperforming.

14. Can I use the scooter in rain? Can I clean it with water without any concern?
The electric system is insulated and the motor is completely sealed. Riding any vehicle in poor weather carries risk but the unique drive system on our bikes do not make them any more susceptible to rain. In fact MOTORINO™ scooters are operated in a rain simulation cell to test for water resistance
.
15. What are the advantages of having an electric scooter?
a) Freedom- it is classified as a bicycle, it can be ridden on roads or bike paths and can be parked on sidewalks, eminently practical for commuting downtown;
b) Economical – you don’t pay for parking, insurance, driver’s license, gas, maintenance, costs only pennies to charge. As a replacement for your car it pays for itself in 4 months;
c) Safer than a bike – built on a motorcycle frame the scooters have all safety features of a gas motorcycle. From our customer’s experience car drivers give scooter riders more respect and space than regular bicycles, scooters are also more visible;
d) Quiet – no engine or transmission noise. It is completely silent;
e) Environmental – it is more environmental than using the bus. Charging the bike overnight uses idle nighttime energy. Harmful materials in the batteries are recycled and there are no emissions;
f) It is a lot of fun – you will believe it when you try it.

16. Who would benefit from an electric scooter?
a) People who want to avoid heavy traffic. Our scooters are classified as power assisted bicycles and can cut through congestion and advance to the intersection at red lights;
b) People who commute downtown. All MOTORINO™ scooters can be legally parked on the sidewalk, many people waste thousands of dollars and hours of their lives looking for parking or stuck in rush hour traffic;
c) People who can’t hold drivers licenses. Just because the government sees fit to deny your license, doesn’t mean you don’t have places to go;
d) People who want to affect positive environmental change. Carbon emissions are the primary driver of global warming, every 25 kilometers ridden on an LEV is another gallon of gas left unburned.
e) Anyone whose daily commute is less than 70km. Admittedly our LEVs are not for everyone, they can only meet the needs of 95% of the urban public;

Veloteq FAQs

1. What is an electric bicycle?
It is an environment-friendly means of transportation with batteries as its power source, and quality and a quiet DC electric motor as the driving mechanism. As an embodiment of new and high technology, electric bicycles can be pedaled, power-driven or pedaled with the help of power.

2. What types of electric bicycles are there?
Electric bicycles can be classified into different types with wheels diameters that range from of 16 to 26 inches, etc. They can also be grouped into chain transmission, frictional transmission, camshaft transmission, and CVT (continuously variable) according to their transmission modes, or into general electric type, and mixed mode type according to their driving power. In addition, on the basis of the electric motor modes, such bicycles can also be categorized as brushless DC motor, brush-and-tooth motor and toothless brush-type motor. Veloteq electric bicycles employ only brushless DC motors which do not require the maintenance of brushed DC motors.

3. What are pedal-assist electric bicycles?
Pedal-assist electric bicycles are lightweight vehicles that require the use of both manual pedaling and electric motor power in order to achieve reasonable distance of travel. The majority these employ 150W motors and may use NiMH, Lithium Ion, or sealed lead acid batteries. They do not have the load capacity of large frame ebikes.

4. What are power-on-demand electric bicycles?
Power-on-demand electric bicycles furnish high power output using large electric motors and large power supplies. Veloteq large frame electric bicycles are all power-on-demand ebikes and use special, high power controllers, coupled with large power storage capacity to enable long distance travel without manual pedaling. Manual pedaling is used primarily for cresting hills, where electric power is not sufficient to surmount them. Veloteq is now introducing models which employ CVT transmission driven motors which enable the cresting of steel hills and long grades. All Veloteq large frame ebikes will use this type of motor in 2008.

5. Are ebikes with larger diameter wheels faster?
Of course not. As a matter of fact, the maximum speed of the bicycles with wheels of various diameters of 16 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches, 22 inches, 24 inches 26 inches and even 28 inches is the same, that is, 20km per hour which is the maximum allowed by US and Canadian regulations for the sake of both safety and speed.

6. Pedal power or electric power, which is best?
It depends on circumstances. Use pedal assistance when surmounting inclines or riding against strong wind. Pedaling can effectively help to avoid the overworking of the electric motor and minimize the damage to such precision parts as the motor, controller, and battery under those conditions to prolong the service life of those components. Pedaling is almost always required when riding pedal-assist ebikes because of their limited range using electric power alone.

7. Which type of electric motor is better? Brushed or brushless type?
In the case of the brushed electric motor, the motor functions with the direct contact of the brush and commutator. Such motors offer high power and low cost, but the brushes need replacement once each year or two to maintain efficiency. Brushless electric motors avoid this disadvantage and are quieter, have a longer service life and consume less power, but the cost for controllers is higher.

8. What is the maximum driving distance of a newly-charged electric bicycle?
The maximum driving distance of a newly-charged electric vehicle is called “single charge driving distance”. The single charge driving distance of a of a Veloteq large frame power-on-demand ebike 30-50 miles (50-80 kms) depending on the model, terrain in which it is ridden, wind conditions, and the load, including the rider and any cargo. Pedal-assist ebikes generally have a range of >20 miles using motor power alone.

9. What is the service life of the battery? 　　
Veloteq uses VRSL (Voltage Regulated Sealed Lead Acid) colloid batteries. An special agent added to the electrolyte forms it into a gel-like material that also reduces sulphication of the electric plates in the battery. They are rated for 300 cycles if discharged continually to less than 75% of capacity, but can be recharged over 400 times if the capacity is not allowed to go below 80%. They are UL Listed. In extend the service life of battery, we advise owners to maintain and charge the battery regularly and promptly after each use and use pedal assistance when surmounting steep inclines. When the ebike is stored for prolonged periods, both the batteries and charger should be stored at temperatures above freezing and recharged monthly. We recommend that the power supply unit be removed from the ebike while it is in storage.

10. Are there new emerging technologies which will improve the performance of power supplies?
Definitely yes. Veloteq and PowerGenix Corporation of California are engaged in the development of a revolutionary new type of power supply that will offer the advantages of technologies such as NiMH and Lithium Ion, without the high cost and much publicized dangers of lithium. The power supply weight will be reduced by over 50%, recharge time will decrease to 80% of power capacity in one hour, size will be reduced, and the travel range will be increased. In addition, they will contain no toxic or polluting materials. This project is on track and scheduled for release in early 2008.

11. Is recharging convenient? What cautions should the user take when charging?　　
The power supply may be recharged while installed on the ebike or while removed for indoor storage.

• Be certain to plug the charger into the power supply input socket BEFORE attaching to the AC source. Connection to the AC source prior to connection to the power supply can cause a spark which, in the event that the batteries have been damaged, may cause any leaked gases to ignite, causing an explosion.

· Under no circumstances should the power supply be recharged after storage at sub-freezing temperatures while installed on the ebike. If either the power supply or the charger has been stored in sub-freezing temperatures, move them to a warm area and allow them to adjust to the ambient temperature. Remove the top lid of the power supply to vent any hydrogen gas that may build up if the batteries were damaged. Also, carefully monitor the recharge time in case the charger has been damaged. Carefully inspect the batteries to detect any sign of swelling of the battery walls. If the batteries are swollen, do not attempt to use them or continue recharging. This may cause an explosion. If the batteries are able to sustain a charge properly, carefully observe the condition of the charger to insure that the status light indicates successful charge. It they status light does not change to green, this is an indication that the charger has been damaged. It should be immediately replaced.

· Under no circumstances, should the battery be laid up-side down or the service life and the charging effect would be adversely affected.

• When removing the battery from the ebike, do not touch the second electrode nipple under the battery case with bare hands or other conductive materials, otherwise, a short circuit may occur resulting in personal injury.

• The user should place the battery that is being externally charged in a dry and well-ventilated place. Do not place any cover on the battery being charged or the battery may be damaged for due to overheating.

• Do not permit any liquids to enter the battery recharger that is either in function or in care so as to avoid short circuit; do not use in the rain. Do not overturn or drop the charger.

• Use only chargers supplied by Veloteq. These have been tested specifically to meet the amperage and voltage requirements of Veloteq ebikes.

• During the charging process, if an abnormal smell is detected or the charger unit becomes unusually hot, these are indications of faulty operation. The charger must be replaced at once before re-attempting to charge the power supply.

· 12. How long will it take to charge the power supply?
A new battery should be charged for 7-8 hours and flow charged for 1-2 hours before its first service. For routine charging, over-charge or over-discharge must be avoided. The power supply should be recharged promptly after each use, which will greatly increase the life span of the unit. In case of shorter riding distances, 2-3 hour recharge should be sufficient. The Veloteq/PowerGenix power supply which will be introduced early in 2008 will permit the reduction of the recharge time to one hour for 80% of capacity and full charge in under two hours.

13. Is it safe to ride an electric bicycle? Will the rider exposed to a risk of shock? 　　
Veloteq ebikes operate on a voltage of only 48V. You can be shocked by mishandling, however, not enough to constitute a serious safety threat. In addition, intelligent functions are incorporated in Veloteq ebikes which include automatic power cut-off upon braking and numerous electrical devices such as circuit breakers which will cut off the power to protect the motor and controller. 　　

14. Can I ride an electric bicycle in the rain?
Veloteq ebikes perform very well in rain, however, under no circumstances should be ebike or power supply be subjected to immersion in standing water. This may subject the controller, motor, and other electrical parts to severe damage. If the ebike has been exposed to flooded conditions, the power supply must be removed and the ebike taken to a service location for inspection and restoration to working order. DO NOT SWITCH ON AN EBIKE THAT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE ABOVE CONDITIONS!

15. Can Veloteq ebikes be used in winter and summer?
Yes. They are rated for use in temperatures ranging from -15C to 50C . They perform well in summer and in winter. The power supply will be less efficient in winter than in summer, which will reduce the riding distance and require more frequent recharging. Ebikes and particularly, chargers, should not be subjected to protracted exposure to sub-freezing temperatures!

16. Are Veloteq ebikes economical to ride?
Electric bicycles have proven to be very economical means of transportation in comparison with other transportation means of local transportation for commuting and leisure. The cost of recharging the power supply is less than 10 cents for up to 50 miles (80 kms) of riding. If properly maintained by the user, the cost of maintenance is extremely low.