The Wheel Turns Your Bike into a Moped

` :jawdrop:
Well I'm busted, I never did completely read the article, just knew is was in Treehuger.
I believe the law is in effect now on new purchases, others are grandfathered in.
I have a Black and Decker Weed Eater that operates off a Battery Pack, but all the land you have, it would be a joke.
If I remember correctly, it has to do with EPA 40 CFR § 90 and what can come into the USA, no more 2 stroke. But I see people ars going to Canada and getting them and parts, then smuggle them back into the USA.

RevoPower 2-stroke to 4-stroke Comparison
Over recent years, 2-stroke engines have gained a bad name from people concerned with emissions. To be candid, older 2-stroke engines contribute to the filthy air in many cities around the world today.
Why then, did RevoPower elect to use 2-stroke engine instead of a 4-stroke engine?
The answer is in two parts. First, modern 2-stroke engines can be produced which actually burn more cleanly than the same size engine in a 4-stroke configuration. RevoPower uses the latest and cleanest technology to ensure compliance with the strict EPA and CARB guidelines.
In addition, there are other major benefits of 2-stroke engines over 4-stroke engines. These include:
* 2-stroke engines work in any orientation, which is required in the Wheel. Standard 4-stroke engines have problems with crankcase oil unless they are upright.
* 2-stroke engines do not have valves, which simplifies their construction, lowers their weight and allows the Wheel to be small enough to rotate between the forks of a bicycle.
* 2-stroke engines fire once every revolution, while 4-stroke engines fire once every other revolution. This makes 2-stroke engines more powerful.
* 2-stroke engines are lighter, simpler and less expensive to manufacture.
Therefore, after considerable exploration, design and comparison, we determined that a 2-stroke engine would best suit our requirements.

Here is a summary of the issues with older 2-stroke engines, and RevoPower's approach:

In conclusion, RevoPower's 2-storke engine is clean and meets all emissions requirements specified in 40 CFR § 90 - Control of Emissions from Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines at or Below 19 Kilowatts. This specification dictates that the Wheel is viewed as a Class I-A Engine for Exhaust Emissions Standards. These standards are: 50 grams per kilowatt-hour of HC+NOx; and 610 grams per kilowatt-hour of CO. The major benefit of RevoPower's 2-stroke engine is that its CO emissions is substantially below this 610 g/kw-hr threshhold. Stay tuned for an update on this section; we will post the results of our emissions testing.

At $400 it's still a very good deal.

Peace Out,
Gman

Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement

` :?
Message from the Inventor
In 1997 I visited a pedicab manufacturer who was experimenting with an electric-powered version of their pedicab (bicycle taxi). From previous projects, I knew that electric vehicles were impractical in terms of range, recharge time, and weight; the only advantage I could see was their attractiveness from an in-use emissions perspective (ignoring their environmental impact during manufacturing and recycling/disposal). In the case of the pedicabs, the electric motor and batteries added a massive 130 pounds to an already heavy vehicle. Most of this weight was due to the low storage density of batteries. In fact, most common form of batteries, lead acid, have a storage density of about 35 Watt-hours/Kilogram (more expensive batteries such as Lithium Ion, only store about 150 Watt-hours/Kilogram) while the energy stored in gasoline is 12,000 Watt-hours/Kilogram.

So I thought to myself, "How do you power a bicycle with a clean gasoline engine?" I continued to think, "Would it is possible to design a bicycle wheel with a gasoline engine built right into the wheel?" The trick was to have the entire engine, geartrain, starter, geartrain, and starter be so thin that the whole assembly could spin between the forks of a standard bicycle. This spinning assembly (i.e. wheel with engine) could be cooled because it spins and not by a massive flywheel with a fan. In addition, I sought a solution that would allow anyone to install it on most bicycles and be easy to use.

Thus began an interesting journey of discovery and experimentation. From the earliest prototypes, we progressed from stage to stage over a period of several years. In 2002, I filed a comprehensive patent, and just a year later in 2003 we founded RevoPower. Therefore, in 2003 I was able to go to work full time on the project.

The technical challenges and obstacles we faced are too numerous to mention - keep an eye out for my book! However, those of you who are technically minded (or have engineering training) can see from the photographs that the important challenges involved delivering fuel to a rotating engine, throttle control through the axle, and miniaturization of ignition system.

What we will deliver in the next year is a reliable and practical motor-assistance device which will reduce the world's dependence on oil, remove congestion from crowded roads, and transform third world economies. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing fleets of RevoPower bikes heading down roads across the world.

Thank you for visiting our website. I hope you share our passion for this product.

STEVE KATSAROS
CTO, RevoPower

Peace Out,
Gman

Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement

` ;)
I know it's not a EV, but it's a very good option for those of us that have to travel greater distances and are concerned about decreasing our Fossil Fuel usage. There is a very good illustration in Popular Science about the Revo Power Wheel.

Revo Power Wheel Gallery & Video

Comment on Mission Statement

Submitted by MB-1-E on Sun, 05/13/2007 - 01:28.

I sure would like to see more "Eco-friendly", lighter footprint, quiet machines made and promoted so we preserve some of what is now becoming more and more hard to find ... nature in it's finest.

Perhaps a mission statement could address this in some way as well.

Just a thought.

Dave

p.s. Full Disclosure ... I do own and operate a 4WD Toyota pickup but try to do it in such a manner as to not disrupt or disturb the enhabitants or the people wanting to enjoy the great outdoors. I always try to respect boundries, stay on designated roads and be thoughtful of my surroundings in these areas.
(Currently, I'm working on an electric, pedal assist mountain bike that will use solar and wind power to charge the batteries)

Peace Out,
Gman

What is your vision for the future our growing community?

`The7,
Welcome to V is for Voltage Community, you can check out there FAQ.
I hope they have a better calendar than EVT America used to announce there Z-20. :)

When will the Wheel be for sale?
We know you?ve been waiting patiently? We hope to launch in early 2008 in select USA markets. We plan to launch in other countries later in 2008 and the rest of the USA. Thanks for your patience while we finish the last engineering and testing.

How much will it cost?
The Wheel should retail for approximately $599 USD at your local authorized dealer.

The next thing is to figure out how to get it to run on used vegetable oil or something similar.

Peace Out,
Gman

What is your vision for the future our growing community?