Transcription: Practical experience with Pedelecs

Pedelecs are bicycles equipped with an electric motor. Unlike an e-bike that has a turning handle like a moped, the Pedelec’s motor only kicks in once you start pedalling. The Pedelec just makes pedalling much easier.
This is our roller test bench that helps determine the Pedelec’s power consumption to find out which components should be more efficient. We primarily test the batteries to improve them accordingly.
This drive motor simulates the pedalling cadence. The brake motor simulates resistance, e.g. wind resistance, roll resistance, or gradient resistance. We enter all these factors into the computer to initiate the simulation. Then we turn on the Pedelec and make further adjustments. Now we choose a profile and start the machine. The white line represents the target speed. The red line shows the actual speed. In addition, this current clamp tells us how much power and voltage we’re currently using. Based on this, the computer calculates the motor’s effective power, i.e. how much battery power is currently being used. And this shows the bicycle’s performance. Finally, all values are saved and we can calculate the bike’s actual power consumption.

Presently there are 4 rental stations in Hanover where you can rent a Pedelec. One of them is located at the university on Bismarkstraße 2 at the Pedelec-Café.
Before a Pedelec can be rented, the station’s staff goes through a checklist to make sure everything’s okay in order to avoid minor accidents. Then you’re good to go.
You don’t have to struggle with inclines or headwinds anymore. That’s what makes riding a Pedelec so much fun.
It immediately becomes apparent how much less effort you need when you overtake people on regular bikes.
The demand is enormous. People recognise the advantage of not having to rely on a car. And getting around Hanover is much faster on a Pedelec than by car, tram, or bus.