It takes pedal power to a whole new level. RAHT Racer is a three-wheeled, fully enclosed, weatherproof vehicle, complete with roll cage, suspension, seat belts, air bags, headlights and trunk space.
Where the RAHT racer differs from most other alternative energy vehicles, is the rider provides pedal power, which is converted to electrical energy via the vehicle’s patent pending hybrid flywheel generator technology.
You open the door of your sleek new commuter and slide into the seat. First you turn it on and then start to pedal. The exercise will warm your system as it prepares you mentally for the day. It is more than 10 miles to work but there is no concern about arriving sweaty or taking too long. RAHT’s pedals are directly connected to its generator, not the wheels, meaning all human power effectively extends the vehicle’s range and recharges the battery.
At the same time, state of the art hybrid technology in RAHT amplifies pedal power, enabling the rider’s legs to propel the vehicle up to highway speeds. Alternatively, if the rider is feeling lethargic, all-electric drive is available at the press of a throttle button. A regular household power outlet provides a full charge to the vehicle’s battery. The electric drive will take that upper edge from your effort while it whisks you along at highway speeds.
The vehicle could be a Raht Racer which is presently trying to collect funds on Kickstarter for its next level of development. In the video Rich Kronfeld the creator and CEO of Rhatmobile speaks enthusiastically about the “amplification” electric drive can offer the cyclist. There is generally recognized understanding that there should be a separate set of laws for bicycles and for powered vehicles.
E bikes stretch that limit but Kronfeld turns it on its head. Unlike the rest of the manufacturing field which has limited the power of e bikes he is targeting a longer distance commuter and is attempting to compete directly with cars. As such the vehicle also hosts a 9.2 kWh battery carbon fiber body, seat belts, air bag and a light kit. At 570 lbs it is also not the lightweight you might expect from a human-powered vehicle.
There are many connections between the peddler and their vehicle including the fixed gearing of the track racer which has no freewheeling through various gear combinations and the newer continuously variable transmissions. Adding an electric motor can also be done in several ways. With most e bikes the electric motor can sense the operators effort and can also be used to “amplify” that force with the stored energy from a battery.
Because the electric motor and the human operator, through the chain and gears, can each power the vehicle, this is known as a parallel hybrid. The Raht Racer offers something a bit different. Pedals power a flywheel. The flywheel powers a generator. The generator can both charge the battery and power the electric motors attached to the wheels. This configuration is known as a series hybrid, a potentially simpler and lighter design.
It can lead to some unusual options like “spinning” at a stoplight or changing (the feel) of the rise of fall in elevation. For more on these interesting hybrid electric drive systems look here. The body styling looks like the “Racer” that is part of its name. It is also an American product which is a little unusual in a niche that includes vehicles like the Twike, eWAW , and ELF among many others. The vehicle has also caught the approval of the Midwestern Clean Energy Challenge as one of its finalists. Specifications:
- Top speed of approximately 100 MPH / 160 KM/Hr.
- Range of approximately 50 miles / 80 kilometers.
- Regenerative disc brakes at all three wheels.
- Electric engine power rated at 26.8 HP / 20KW.
- Li-on battery, rated at 9.2KWH.
- Two seats, only the front seating position provides pedal power.
- Curb weight of 570lbs / 258.5kgs.
- Expected MSRP between US $35,000US and US $45,000.
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