Our transporation choices effect the environment
Electric bikes are designed to provide convenient local transportation. Optimized for a single person and accompanying load, the bike range, speed, and cost are moderate. For trips less than about 20 miles, electric bikes offer an alternative to an extra car without many of the growing problems and cost. We at Malama believe that the time is now – for electric bikes to help solve some growing environmental problems.
You have the power to address important issues including:
- Congestion on our roads
- Consumption of limited fossil fuels
- Pollution of our atmosphere
- Cost of gasoline
- Noise
- Exercise
- Enjoyment
Electric vehicles and non-pollution
Even though emissions from an electric vehicle is zero, this does not mean that no pollution was a by-product in the cycle of creating energy. Rather we can note that the electricity produced was cleaner than the cycle of internal combustion engine burning carbon-based fuels. Not only are electricity generators cleaner than typical small engines, but half of California's energy is produced from non-fossil fuels and is renewable.
How much will you save in gas every year
riding an electric bike at times, rather than that gas-guzzler?
Fill in some hypothetical data to estimate your situation -
Electric power availability
But California and other states sometimes experience brown-outs and other consequences of having insufficient electrical power. Will more electric vehicles just aggravate this problem?
California and other high energy demand states do not have a shortage of power per se, but rather have cyclic demands that somethimes exceed available supply of electicity. This most often happens in peak daytime usage on hot days that create high air conditioning needs. Typical power supply over a 24 hour day is relatively constant, usually varrying about 10%. An interesting look at California's electrical power Supply versus Demand is monitored live online at California Independent System Operator.
The chart below is a snapshot of a typical California power usage day, and it can redily be seen that midnight to 9 am we can expect sufficient supply to cover electricty demand of the state.
Optional solar cell panels or small wind generators are available as an alternative to charging from the electrical grid. These consumer electricity generators may be connected to the grid to feed excess power into the network, thus reducing your own electricity bill and contributing to the overall supply of electricity.
Our current designs include a low-cost utility bike using Sealed Lead-Acid batteries, and a cruiser and folding Aluminum alloy models with Lithium-Ion battery packs. Products are available at selected bicycle dealers and rentals, and on this website.
For more information, please contact Malama at info@malamaelectric.com