Everyone dreams of vehicles that never need to be refueled or recharged, becoming self-sufficient and capable of unlimited cycling.
However, that is currently not possible, as some form of energy provider always needs to be involved, whether it’s fuel, electricity, or muscle power in the case of bicycles.
In contrast, Zehus aims to change that and claims to have created the first infinite propulsion system for electric bicycles. In other words, a mechanism that, once set in motion, self-recharges and never needs to be connected to a power source again.
Introducing Zehus Bike+
Zehus, based in Italy, claims that its new Bike+ system does not require charging to power an electric bicycle. In fact, they showcased it at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, integrated into the Detroit Bikes Electric, which is already available for sale at a price of 2,599 US dollars.
But how does this system work? It features a rear hub motor that includes electronics, battery, and sensors. The key lies in its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which recharges the battery when the cyclist is not pedaling during deceleration or braking phases, optimizing energy and reducing fatigue by up to 40%, according to Zehus.
Electric assistance to infinity Moreover, the manufacturer claims that the cyclist can enjoy a range of up to 35 kilometers in Turbo mode, as well as limited autonomy in the automatic charge mode.
To achieve this, the Bike+ system also utilizes an advanced tilt sensor that recognizes when the cyclist accelerates and rides uphill, providing assistance in pedaling.
Conversely, the energy recovery system activates on flatter or downhill terrains. In fact, the Zehus Bike+ system offers six assistance modes, manageable through the BitRide Connect application. These modes are:
- Sin soporte
- HÃbrido
- HÃbrido personalizado
- Bike+
- Turbo
- Turbo personalizado
Price and Availability
From a more conventional point of view, the integrated motor of the Bike+ system offers a nominal power of 250 W, a torque of 40 Nm, and a maximum speed of 25 km/h, in accordance with European regulations.
The lithium-ion battery built into the system has a capacity of 173 Wh and can withstand over 1000 charging cycles, as claimed by Zehus. The complete system weighs a total of 3 kilograms, which is in line with the weight of motors commonly used in the industry.
Other features included in the Zehus Bike+ are slope and road quality detection, active anti-theft lock, and a remote control on the handlebar.
In Spain, only two establishments sell Zehus products. You can check the distributors of the Italian manufacturer here, as reported by Motor.es.
