Wheel Hub Motors- New Technology for Wheels

Posted by Alona in For the LadiesMar 13th, 2011 | no responses

In layman’s terms a wheel hub motor simply does away with all the gears, drive shafts, belts or chains formerly needed to turn the wheel. It is an Electric Motor within the wheel that turns the wheel now. It is far more light weight than the old system in larger vehicles, but is beneficial in smaller ones as well.

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

Okay not exactly trains and planes but automobiles yes. And wheelchairs, and motorcycles, and electric bikes! But it’s true, wheel hub motors are entering the world of motorcycles and the rest. The torque on these wheels won’t allow you to lay any rubber, at least not yet, but they do have a couple of different levels of torque for more or less power. You wouldn’t need the kind of torque you put on a motorcycle on a little electric scooter, or even on a wheelchair (realistically). This is why these wheel motors come in different torques and sizes.

What’s This Going to Set Me Back?

To change a pedal bike into an electrical motorized bike, the kit for the changeover from pedal power to electric wheel motor runs around $285 with an additional $135 for shipping. Motorcycles (and dirt bikes) on the other hand, are just a wee bit more. As I mentioned earlier they come in two levels of torque; 10 RPM's and seven RPM's. Both, however, will run $1295. And that’s just for the kit, not installation. For wheel chairs, each right and left side wheel motor costs $148, with joysticks and programmable controls available. These small electric wheel hub motors will take you the same distance as the old cumbersome battery driven type but only use half the power of the battery Wheelchairs and cycles and bikes-oh my!