Twike

Last updated
TWIKE
Company type GmbH
Industry Automotive
Founded1998
Headquarters Rosenthal, Germany
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Martin Moescheid
Website twike.com/en

Twike, based in Rosenthal, is a German manufacturer of light electric vehicles in the European Union vehicle class L5e (US motorcycle). [1] The main product, the Twike (a portmanteau of the words twin and bike), is a human-electric hybrid vehicle (HEHV) designed to carry two passengers and cargo. Essentially a velomobile with an electrical hybrid engine, [2] it can be driven in electric-only mode or electric + pedal power mode. [3]

Contents

History

Prototype by ETH Zurich

The Twike 1 prototype was designed by students at ETH Zurich. [4] It was developed for the 1986 EXPO in Vancouver . The tricycle, initially conceived in Switzerland, was originally designed as a pure velomobile without motor assistance. Inspired by the success of the Twike I, a group of enthusiasts began developing the second generation as a step towards a vehicle for everyday road use. [5]

Twike 2 with electric motor

In order to be able to compete with other cars in everyday use, a prototype with electric assistance was developed and presented to the public in 1991 as the Twike II. In 1992, Twike AG, based in Gelterkinden, Switzerland, was founded to bring the prototype to series production. It was developed in collaboration with Alusuisse-Lonza Holding and shown for the first time at the HEUREKA exhibition in Zurich. [6] [7]

Series production from 1995

In 1992, Twike AG decided to further develop the Twike II into a series vehicle and began looking for capital and customers. Production of the Twike III began in 1995, three years later. In the course of the first year, the reformed AG produced and sold 190 vehicles, mainly in Switzerland and Germany. In 1999, Twike AG merged with the Swiss company S-LEM AG, which was allowed to assemble the Twike itself from 1997, to form SwissLEM AG, based in Hochdorf, Switzerland. [8]

FINE Mobile from 1998

In 1998, FINE Mobile GmbH ("Forum für Intelligente und Nachhaltige Elektro-Mobile") was founded, [9] initially based in Augsburg. The aim of the shareholders was to be the general importer for Germany. In the same year, FINE Mobile also launched the German production line. Kits imported from Switzerland were finally assembled in Germany. One reason for this was the German approval regulations, which required, for example, a laminated glass windshield, while the Swiss series was equipped with Plexiglas.

Twike GmbH

When SwissLEM went bankrupt in the summer of 2002, FINE Mobile took over the production and brand rights for the Twike. In 2002, the company headquarters were also relocated from Augsburg to Rosenthal. Since then, FINE Mobile GmbH from Rosenthal has been the rights holder and sole producer of the Twike worldwide. At the beginning of 2020, FINE Mobile GmbH changed its name to TWIKE GmbH. [10]

Products

Twike 1

The Twike 1 is a two-seater bicycle with a body. The ergonomic and aerodynamic experiment was developed by Swiss students at ETH Zurich. The idea was presented at the EXPO in Vancouver in 1986. The concept is based on a recumbent bike in which two people pedal side by side. The first Twike model was purely muscle-powered and not electrified. It weighed 50 kg and could be accelerated to a speed of up to 50 km/h. In 1986, it won an award for ergonomics at the World Expo in Vancouver. [11] [12] [13]

Twike 2

The Twike 2 was introduced in 1991. It had a belt pedal drive with continuously variable mechanical transmission and a DC motor powered by NiCd batteries to drive the vehicle. With the support of an electric motor, the hybrid model's suitability for everyday use was significantly improved.

Twike 3

The Twike 3 has been built almost unchanged since its development was completed in 1995. Only minor modifications have been made to the body, interior and batteries since then. Since the start of construction, well over 1,000 vehicles have been built by hand. Due to the constant improvement in battery capacity during the construction period, the range of the Twike 3 has increased from around 60 km initially to over 610 km recently.

Construction

The Twike 3 is essentially a velomobile constructed from lightweight materials such as aluminum (frame) and plastic (shell) with an electric drive. The light electric vehicle of the EU vehicle class L5e can be operated either purely electrically or additionally with pedal power to increase the range. The platform of the three-wheel design corresponds to the basic shape of a "delta" with a (steerable) front wheel and a rear axle with two wheels and is designed to carry two people plus freight. Both the engine and batteries, the luggage compartment and a large part of the weight of the people being transported are placed on the rear axle with a low center of gravity. This results in favorable tipping stability. The hood of the Twike 3 serves as an additional roll bar and carries the laminated glass window (subject to registration in Germany) or a lighter Plexiglas window and the removable convertible or targa top. [2] [14]

Operating

The Twike 3 is steered using a sidestick (steering lever) between the seats. Two two-stage buttons on the sidestick are used for acceleration and braking, including recuperation. A control panel in the middle of the cab contains the controls for the headlights, rear fog light, hazard warning lights, windshield heating fan, on/off switch and the on-board computer. To the left of the driver is the handbrake lever with further integrated controls: High beam, windshield wipers and horn. To get in, the hood is raised forwards, supported by a gas spring. Acceleration and braking are controlled by two two-stage buttons on the right-hand steering lever. For emergency braking and for stopping or parking, the driver operates the pedal system using the back pedal. In addition to extending the range, the switchable pedal drive also has a fitness function. [15] [16] [17]

Motor

For propulsion, the Twike 3 has a three-phase electric motor with a rated output of 3 kW and a peak output of up to 9 kW. The two rear wheels are driven directly by a motor via a differential gear. This enables the vehicle to reach a speed of 85 km/h on level ground. A pedal drive is installed for the driver and passenger. It can be operated independently of each other, but is not necessary for propulsion. The pedal assistance is designed for speeds of up to 70 km/h as standard. On some models, the gear ratio is increased so that you can pedal comfortably even at top speed. Acceleration from a standstill using muscle power is not intended and can only be achieved with intensive effort, even on flat terrain. [18] [19]

Power supply

Battery technology has made considerable progress since the Twike was launched. The Twike 3 initially used NiCd batteries, later Li-Mn. [20] [21] The introduction of Li-ion batteries in the 2008 model year represented a major leap forward in terms of range and cycle stability. The Twike was the first series-produced vehicle in the world to use Li-ion batteries. [22] [2] The Twike 3 was last produced with lithium-ion batteries in five performance classes. The smallest battery unit delivers 3.53 kWh with a range of more than 80 km and the largest 24.7 kWh with a range of up to 613 km. The battery can be charged at a conventional household socket, but also at a public charging station. The energy is also recovered during the journey through regenerative braking, and the electric system is relieved by the pedal system, which transfers its power directly to the drivetrain. Both systems work in parallel and not in series.

Consumption and range

The weight of the Twike 3 is 240-350 kilograms. Depending on the battery and driving style, the range is between 40 and 613 km with a consumption of around 4 to 7 kWh/100 km. This corresponds to 14.4-25.2 megajoules/100 km. The significantly lower energy consumption compared to the combustion engine is due to the much higher efficiency of the electric drive, the aerodynamically favorable design with a small cross-sectional area and the lightweight construction (aluminum, plastic). The moderate top speed and regenerative braking also have a positive effect on the Twike 3's fuel consumption. In 2020, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carried out a fuel consumption comparison of various electric vehicles registered in the USA. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, model year 2021, was ranked first in the table with a consumption of 25 kWh / 100 miles (equivalent to 15.5 kWh / 100 km). The 25-year-old technology of the Twike 3 undercuts this value by at least half. [23]

Twike 4

To further develop the basic concept of the Twike 3, the Twike 4, initially under the name TW4XP ("Threewheeler for X-Prize"), has been developed and tested since 2009. The exterior and interior are very different from its predecessor. The Twike 4 is steered with two sidesticks by pulling back and forth. There are also bicycle pedals. The aim of the completely new development was to significantly improve the Twike in terms of performance, riding characteristics and comfort. The Twike 4 never went into series production, but as a prototype it came third out of 136 teams at the Automotive X-PRIZE in the USA in 2010. A former BMW engineer advised on the chassis, while the software and the electric vehicle architecture were developed by EDAG in Fulda. [24] [25] The Twike 4 has been optimized for use at 120 km/h on the highway. [26]

Twike 5

A frame concept of the Twike 5 was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019. In contrast to the Twike 4, which was intended as a prototype from the outset, the 5 model is being developed for series production. Overall, the aim is to create a vehicle with a top speed of 190 km/h that is more similar to a conventional car in terms of driving comfort and safety. The similarities with the Twike 3 are limited to the EU vehicle class and the possibility of reducing the vehicle's energy consumption through muscular assistance, apart from the delta suspension. Instead of a direct pedal drive with a chain, a pedal generator (300 watts, standard on the driver's side, optional on the passenger's side) is used. [27]

Twike 5 at the Geneva International Motor Show 2019 GIMS 2019, Le Grand-Saconnex (GIMS1228).jpg
Twike 5 at the Geneva International Motor Show 2019

Construction

Development of the Twike 5 began in 2015 with the aim of taking a leading role in short-distance transportation in the automotive market. The lightweight electric vehicle combines a recumbent bike, e-bike and e-car and consists of a modular safety cell with an aluminum frame and roll bar made of high-strength steel. It is to be encased in natural fiber-reinforced plastic. In comparison to the Twike 3, the batteries, as in the Zwike 4, move from the rear as a space-saving floor plate under the seats. This results in a lower center of gravity. The optimum tipping stability of the tricycle has been improved and, with a vehicle width of 1.55 m, is at its optimum and corresponds to that of a sports car. In addition, the 5 Series has a new hood concept, is 100 kg lighter and has a double trailing arm swing arm with wheel bearing flange for classic car rims on the front axle. The rear axle is equipped with a twistable DeDion composite suspension with stabilizer bar. [28] [29]

Operating

An important innovation is the new steering system with acceleration rocker introduced on the Twike 4, including a 2-stage push button for acceleration and electric braking. Two mechanically connected sidesticks are used for steering. It corresponds to the principle of cable steering. If the left hand pulls the lever backwards, the Twike 5 moves to the left. If the right hand pulls the lever, the Twike 5 moves to the right. The speed can be changed continuously on both levers of the steering system. Cruise control, controls for indicators, lights, windshield wipers and a scroll and select function for the screen are also integrated into the handles. A driving license for the old class B or the new class A1 is required for the vehicle. [30]

Motor

The main drive is provided by a 70 kilowatt synchronous motor with reduction gearbox and rear-wheel drive. According to the manufacturer, the drive reaches a speed of up to 190 km/h in the largest battery configuration. Simulated acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes the vehicle a minimum of 3.8 seconds. Up to 20 percent at city speeds can be achieved by pedaling.

Power supply

The Twike 5 is available in two sizes. The lithium-ion battery modules vary between 18 and 36 kWh. In addition to a one-hour charge at a DC charging station, a discharged battery can also be charged within 10 hours using a household plug. In addition, braking energy is fed back into the battery during operation. [31] The "Human Power Hybrid" concept provides for electricity to be generated through active pedaling and to flow directly into the battery. [32]

Consumption and range

The company offers the TWIKE 5 model in two variants with different battery sizes. Although the same motor is installed in all models, the battery size influences the range and performance. The 18 kWh battery size has a range of over 250 km. With the 36 kWh variant, a range of over 500 km will be possible. The driver can increase the range manually using the built-in pedals. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche Cayenne</span> German luxury crossover SUV

The Porsche Cayenne is a series of automobiles manufactured by the German company Porsche since 2002. It is a luxury crossover SUV and has been described as both a full-sized and a mid-sized vehicle. The first generation was known internally within Porsche as the Type 9PA (955/957) or E1. It was the first V8-engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. It is also Porsche's first off-road variant vehicle since its Super and Junior tractors of the 1950s, and the first Porsche with four doors. Since 2014, the Cayenne has been sold alongside a smaller Porsche SUV, the Macan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricycle</span> Three-wheeled self-powered vehicle

A tricycle, sometimes abbreviated to trike, is a human-powered three-wheeled vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velomobile</span> Human-powered vehicle

A velomobile ; velomobiel, velo, or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and/or protection from weather and collisions. Velomobiles are similar to recumbent bicycles, pedal go-karts and tricycles, but with a full fairing and are not to be confused with purpose-built mobiles for racing or speed records fully faired vehicles with two wheels, generally called streamliners. Streamliners have set many speed and distance records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo C30</span> Swedish compact hatchback

The Volvo C30 is a three-door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive premium compact hatchback, manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars from 2006 to 2013, in a single generation. Powered by inline-four and straight-five engines, the C30 is a variant of the Volvo S40/V50/C70 range, sharing the same Ford C1/Volvo P1 platform. Volvo marketed the C30 as a premium hatchback / sports coupe.

Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), also known as Toyota Hybrid System II, is the brand name of Toyota Motor Corporation for the hybrid car drive train technology used in vehicles with the Toyota and Lexus marques. First introduced on the Prius, the technology is an option on several other Toyota and Lexus vehicles and has been adapted for the electric drive system of the hydrogen-powered Mirai, and for a plug-in hybrid version of the Prius. Previously, Toyota also licensed its HSD technology to Nissan for use in its Nissan Altima Hybrid. Its parts supplier Aisin offers similar hybrid transmissions to other car companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet S-10 EV</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet S-10 Electric was an American electric-powered vehicle built by Chevrolet. It was introduced in 1997, becoming the world's first electric pickup truck from the original manufacturer, updated in 1998, and then discontinued. It was an OEM BEV variant of Chevrolet's S-10 pickup truck. The S-10 Electric was solely powered by electricity (batteries) and was marketed primarily to utility fleet customers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorized bicycle</span> Bicycle with an attached motor or engine and transmission

A motorized bicycle is a bicycle with an attached motor or engine and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedalling. Since it sometimes retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized bicycle is in technical terms a true bicycle, albeit a power-assisted one. Typically they are incapable of speeds above 52 km/h (32 mph), however in recent years larger motors have been built, allowing bikes to reach speeds of upwards of 72 km/h.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric bicycle</span> Bicycle with an integrated electric motor

An electric bicycle, e-bike, electrically assisted pedal cycles, or electrically power assisted cycles is a motorized bicycle with an integrated electric motor used to assist propulsion. Many kinds of e-bikes are available worldwide, but they generally fall into two broad categories: bikes that assist the rider's pedal-power and bikes that add a throttle, integrating moped-style functionality. Both retain the ability to be pedaled by the rider and are therefore not electric motorcycles. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and typically are motor-powered up to 25 to 32 km/h. High-powered varieties can often travel more than 45 km/h (28 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CityEl</span> Motor vehicle

The CityEl is a 3-wheel lightweight electric car originally designed and manufactured in Denmark, but currently made in Germany by Citycom GmbH.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedelec</span> Bicycle where the riders pedalling is assisted by an electric motor

A Pedelec or EPAC, is a type of low-powered electric bicycle where the rider's pedalling is assisted by a small electric motor. However, unlike some other types of e-bikes, pedelecs are classified as conventional bicycles in many countries by road authorities rather than as a type of electric moped. Pedelecs have an electronic controller that cuts power to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed – usually 25 km/h (16 mph) or 32 km/h (20 mph) – is reached. Pedelecs are useful for people who ride in hilly areas or in strong headwinds. While a pedelec can be any type of bicycle, a pedelec city bike is very common. A conventional bicycle can be converted to a pedelec with the addition of the necessary parts, e.g., motor, battery, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human–electric hybrid vehicle</span>

A human–electric hybrid vehicle is a hybrid vehicle, or more specifically a hybrid human-powered vehicle, whose drivetrain consists of a human being and an electric motor/generator. Some vehicles are able to operate off both human power and be plugged in to operate on battery power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 918 Spyder</span> Plug-in hybrid hypercar

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a high performance sports car manufactured by German marque Porsche. The 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 4.6 L (4,593 cc) V8 engine, developing 447 kW at 8,700 RPM, with two electric motors delivering an additional 210 kW for a combined output of 652 kW (875 hp) and 1,280 N⋅m (944 lbf⋅ft) of torque. The 918 Spyder's 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 19 km (12 mi) under the US Environmental Protection Agency's five-cycle tests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PSA HYbrid4</span>

HYbrid4 is PSA Peugeot-Citroën's in-house developed TTR hybrid powertrain system, shared between the two manufacturers. It takes the form of a diesel engine powering the front wheels coupled with an electric motor powering the rear wheels to provide a 4WD hybrid with a short fully electric range. The system made its production debut on the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 in 2011, emitting 99 g of carbon dioxide per kilometer. The 3008 HYbrid4 returns combined fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100 km, beating the smaller Toyota Prius. It also operates in four driver-selected modes: Auto, Sport, ZEV (pure-electric) and 4WD. This technology is not as widespread in Europe as it is in the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Golf Mk7</span> Seventh generation of Golf compact car

The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Golf series and the successor to the Golf Mk6. It was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sales in Europe began with the model in November 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Car controls</span> Car parts used to control the vehicle

Car controls are the components in automobiles and other powered road vehicles, such as trucks and buses, used for driving and parking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi Q8</span> Mid-size luxury crossover SUV coupé

The Audi Q8 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV coupé made by Audi that was launched in 2018. It is the flagship of the Audi SUV line, and is being produced at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW i4</span> Battery electric compact executive car

The BMW i4 is a battery electric compact executive car produced by BMW since 2021. It adopts a five-door liftback body style and is marketed as a four-door coupé. The initial concept version, named BMW i Vision Dynamics, debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the fifth BMW i sub-brand model, and is sold in several variants at different performance levels, including the first battery-electric variant by BMW's motorsport division. The production version was revealed in March 2021 and went on sale in November of the same year as a 2022 model.

Unu is a German manufacturer of electric scooters based in Berlin. In 2014, the company began offering three engine sizes. The vehicles are assembled in China and distributed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.4</span> Electric motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.4 and Volkswagen ID.5 are battery electric compact crossover SUVs produced by Volkswagen. Based on the MEB platform, the ID.4 is the second model of the Volkswagen ID. series. The production version of the ID.4 debuted in September 2020 as the first fully-electric crossover SUV under the Volkswagen brand, while the coupe-shaped variant of the ID.4 is marketed as the Volkswagen ID.5 and was revealed in November 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voyah Free</span> Motor vehicle

The Voyah Free is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by Dongfeng Motor Corporation and marketed by Voyah.

References

  1. ↑ Mensch-Maschine-Trittstelle, Spiegel Online, 13 August 2018 (German)
  2. 1 2 3 Linde, Arvid (2010). Electric Cars – The Future is Now!. Veloce. p. 87. ISBN   9781845844981.
  3. ↑ Hoogma, Remco; Kemp, Rene; Schot, Johan; Bernhard Truffer (2005). Experimenting for Sustainable Transport: The Approach of Strategic Niche Management. Routledge. pp. 107–8. ISBN   9781134488223.
  4. ↑ Projects, Website ETH.ch, 19 June 2023
  5. ↑ Kaufprämie gilt nicht für Rosenthaler Elektro-Fahrzeug Twike, HNA, seen March 8, 2024
  6. ↑ Die Knutschkugel vom Bauernhof, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, May 17, 2019 (German)
  7. ↑ A brief history of e‑mobility, Website Swiss National Museum, seen March 2024
  8. ↑ The TWIKE: World's only human-electric hybrid car, ZDNet, seen March 8, 2024
  9. ↑ Sauberes Fahren und Fitness, Deutschlandfunk, November 11, 2018 (German)
  10. ↑ Boxwell, Michael (2011). The 2011 Electric Car Guide. Greenstream. p. 63. ISBN   9781907670060 . Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  11. ↑ Wie entstand das TWIKE, Twike Klub, seen March 12, 2024 (German)
  12. ↑ Twike from Switzerland: The vehicle for future, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Jul 31, 1998
  13. ↑ Wegweiser Waschmaschine, Sueddeutsche, 29 July 1998 (German)
  14. ↑ Wir werden ausgebremst, HNA, 16 July 2020
  15. ↑ Elektroauto Twike im Test, Der Spiegel, seen February 2024
  16. ↑ Wegweiser Waschmaschine, Sueddeutsche, July 29, 1998 (German)
  17. ↑ Elektroauto Twike: Dreirädriger Stromer mit Pedalen, Der Spiegel, August 13, 2018
  18. ↑ Ohne Benzin und Lenkrad, Die Zeit, October 28, 2010 (Germen)
  19. ↑ Sauberes Fahren und Fitness, Deutschlandfunk, November 2018
  20. ↑ Batteriedaten Twike, Dreifels.ch, seen March 12, 2024 (German)
  21. ↑ News archive, Website Twike Klub, seen March 13, 2024
  22. ↑ https://www.zeitpunkt.ch/news/artikel-einzelansicht/artikel/twike-das-erste-serienfahrzeug-mit-lithium-batterien.html
  23. ↑ 2021 Electric Vehicles, Fueleconomy, seen February 2024
  24. ↑ Dreirad mit Siegchancen, Spiegel Online, February 2, 2010 (German)
  25. ↑ Rosenthaler Manufaktur bringt neue Modelle des E-Fahrzeugs Twike heraus, HNA, 26 January 2022 (German)
  26. ↑ Twike 5: Neue Version des Elektro-Dreirads fährt 190 km/h, Motor.com, May 20, 2019 (German)
  27. ↑ Sauberes Fahren und Fitness, Deutschlandfunk, 19 November 2018(German)
  28. ↑ Twike 5: Ein überdachtes, 190 km/h schnelles E-Bike mit 500 Kilometern Reichweite, Netzwelt.de, 17 August 2022 (German)
  29. ↑ Twike 5, Twike Website, seen February 2024
  30. ↑ Produktion des Twike 5 startet 2021, Aoto-Motor-Sport.de, 30 December 2020 (German)
  31. ↑ E-Bike Twike 5: Schneller als die Richtgeschwindigkeit, Computer Bild, 15 August 2022(German)
  32. ↑ Twike 5: Ein überdachtes, 190 km/h schnelles E-Bike mit 500 Kilometern Reichweite, Netzwelt.de, 17 August 2022 (German)
  33. ↑ Martin Moescheid: TWIKE oder E-Mobilität anders gedacht, Elektroauto-News, December 18, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.