I'm not sure how clear the UK regulations are on the idea of using the electric motors for transmission, if I understand you correctly that is, does that mean without a mechanical link between the pedals and the drive wheel ?
My impression of the UK regulations even though they may not say it is that a mechnical link is probably a must. Plus I would like a design which if/when the electricals fail, you can still use it to get home with.
I'm also thinking marketing aspects in that it would make sense to me (Dunno if it makes sense to anyone else!) to provide the lowest cost available model quite possibly without any electrical power assistance at all, so people could upgrade later on as finances permit. (The UK government does run a cycle to work scheme subsidy where they will pay up to around half the cost of a $2,000 cycle.)
Would an equilateral triangle arrangement for the wheels be best for stability ?
Does stability increase generally speaking with smaller wheels over larger ones or the other way around ?
Would having the batteries being able to slide to different positions to ofset the weight of a single passenger help at all ? (Unless there is a way to allow 2 seating positions to become one when your only one passenger.)
Electric vehicle design questions
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OneWayTraffic
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Plenty of people who have hand built their own stuff here. I frequent the bicycle fora mainly.
If you're really serious about a practical light electric vehicle; I'd buy an ebike, lights, helmet and a good raincoat.
The bicycle is ideal for electric modification in a way that cars can't be. 1000+ miles per gallon on an energy basis and a lot more than that on a cost basis.
On the other hand, if you want a project, go ahead and good luck!
Ps You can get the really heavy duty bicycle wheels. This guy has them in Aust. along with motors, controllers and LiFePO4 cells. May be a good bet for sourcing stuff, if you send it by sea.
All your electronics and stuff all sorted for you. Why reinvent the wheel?
http://ebike.biz/
http://visforvoltage.org/
Plenty of people who have hand built their own stuff here. I frequent the bicycle fora mainly.
If you're really serious about a practical light electric vehicle; I'd buy an ebike, lights, helmet and a good raincoat.
The bicycle is ideal for electric modification in a way that cars can't be. 1000+ miles per gallon on an energy basis and a lot more than that on a cost basis.
On the other hand, if you want a project, go ahead and good luck!
Ps You can get the really heavy duty bicycle wheels. This guy has them in Aust. along with motors, controllers and LiFePO4 cells. May be a good bet for sourcing stuff, if you send it by sea.
All your electronics and stuff all sorted for you. Why reinvent the wheel?
http://ebike.biz/