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As China's huge population graduates from bicycles, what is going to happen to oil prices? China -- still lacking in domestic oil infrastructure -- is going to compete against the United States to buy oil on the international market. The new destination of the oil tankers leaving the gulf could be China, not the U.S.
Americans usually move from a bicycle to a car around the age of 16 when they get a driver's license and money to buy their first car. And as China's middle class grows, so will the desire to move beyond bicycles. Whether it's a scooter, motorcycle or a car -- it is going to use gasoline.
Or will it?
Although we have been toying with the idea of electric cars for a while in the U.S., they are far from mainstream. In China, however, electric motorbikes have moved into the mainstream and come in an amazing variety of designs and shapes. Built like gas-powered scooters, electric scooters are very quiet and can go up to 40 kilometers on one charge and travel up to about 40 kilometers per hour. They recharge overnight, plugged into a standard Chinese 240 volt outlet.
Known as "electric bikes," they require less pedaling than a bicycle, but are not so good in hilly areas or for long distances. When the battery runs out the bike dies; although some have pedals and batteries can be changed out easily. In China, the electric bikes are treated like bicycles with no insurance or driving-license requirements, making them an easy upgrade option for Chinese.
In some areas of China, electric scooters are the only option as sales of new gas scooters have been banned in an attempt to control pollution. Some people buy a second battery, which can allow one to charge while the other is being used. Special raincoats that fit over both the driver and bike are useful for rain; although watching the Chinese scoot along while carrying an umbrella is quite a sight. While electric technology still has a way to go before the dreamed-of electric car becomes a reality in the West; the Chinese have moved ahead with the electric scooter. Electric scooters can certainly reduce the demand for oil in China and the world, but their viability has many complicated factors, including cost, battery life, battery disposal, safety, and social acceptance. Gas scooters never really caught on in America; I wonder if we will ever see many electric scooters here?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-12-2010 @ 7:26AM
Dan Barnett said...
40 kph is like 25 mph? That's nowhere near enough for the US. Electric vehicles will need a range of about 100 miles & speeds of 60 mph before they "make it" in the US market. Those figures do not include the additional power needed for inclement weather usage, lights, heater, wipers.
6-12-2010 @ 10:21AM
Darren Crawford said...
@Dan - There is a company in Nashville that has a 100% Electric Scooter that does about 55 MPH with a range of 50 miles right now. As the technology continues to mature it will prove out as a viable option.
Their website is http://nogasamerica.com
6-15-2010 @ 2:44AM
Kevin at Utah eBikes said...
I'm selling these scooter-style ebikes in the Intermountain West. They are governed at 20 mph to classify as ebikes (which means no registration or insurance coverage needed). They can be ridden in bike lanes and are a good solution for in-town trips. They are definitely low power, but are a lot of fun. People enjoy the silent, smooth, relaxing ride they get on an ebike.
7-15-2010 @ 6:14PM
Mike Bentley said...
we think the big reason eBikes (not electric scooters) have not really taken off in sales here in the US is because there's really no place to ride them safely. Cars and trucks rule the roads here; bikes are used mostly for recreation, not work-related or commuting rides. You can get 100 miles out of a high-end eBike (for example, Optibike) but you typically wind up taking routes over regular streets, and really, you're outmatched in weight and protection by at least two orders of magnitude. Not only is this problem hard to solve, there's a huge auto, truck, and oil lobby working against you!