FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Are the ZEV bikes fully compliant with the USA NHTSA and EPA requirements to be fully road legal?
Yes, they are compliant and legal. ZEV is a USA manufacturer with a USA VIN number. We do not suffer the problems of the ban on or problems with Chinese motor scooters with the VIN sequence starting with an L.
The bikes are also compliant with EEC requirements.
2) How can I tell if a bike is legal to register and drive in the USA and Canada?
By law every bike on the road must have:
A label showing verifying that it is NHTSA compliant. This label must match a specific configuration required by law.
A label showing that it meets all EPA requirements. WARNING - Many manufacturers and consumers believe that because a vehicle is electric it does not have to pass EPA requirements. That is not true. The law says that "every vehicle" must pass the EPA requirements.
Many of the importers of Chinese vehicles state to their customers that the vehicles are legal when in fact they are not. On the NHTSA website is an announcement about 3,000 bikes being seized as illegal. PennDot put a block on all Chinese motor cycles and scooters in November 08 because of the false representations by importers.
Do not take the chance your new bike will not be allowed to be on the streets. Purchase from a company with a USA Vin number or demand strict proof that the bike company has filed all NHTSA and EPA documentation and is registered with both agencies. Further, make sure that the Certificate of Origin is of a form and quality acceptable to your State. Several brands of Chinese bikes are trouble prone because the documents used to obtain title are not good.
3) Why do the ZEV bikes have so much more torque and speed than other motors of the same watt rating?
Because the motors have a large diameter and are multi phase, with major emphasis on motor cooling. A large diameter motor has more torque for acceleration and hill climbing than smaller diameter motors at the same amps/volts. Usually this means that the large diameter motor is slightly slower in top speed at the same volts and amps. However, the ZEV bikes use a multisphase motor that allows the large diameter motor to run much faster than a single speed motor or as fast as a smaller diameter motor. Additionally, As a motor begins to heat up, it loses efficiency and power. This is why you see such a huge difference between the peak power ratings and the continous power ratings used by some bie manufacturers such as the Vectrix. Vectrix advertised a maximum torque of 65 Nm, but only 23 Nm continous. Even the 50% less expensive ZEV3600 has 39 Nm continous. The ZEV way is to use a motor far more capable than its rated power, use every possible engineering trick to make it run cool, then run it at a lower wattage so that it stays cool, efficient, and the power is steady and strong. We do not even bother measuring instantaneous peak torque. It is a useless number only good for advertising, not life in the commuting lane.
You can spot the less powerful smaller diameter motors easily. Using a same size wheel as and example, the ZEV motor is on the right filling up the wheel to the rim. The competion is on the left
Additionally, we have special cooling in all of the high power motors that is exclusive to ZEV. Bike motors are rated by watts. The failure mode in brushless motors is usually due to heat. Often that means the magnets come loose in the motor or wiring burns out. Only ZEV bike motors have oil "bath" cooling that further stops the corrosion on the magnets while adding lubrication and cooling to the motor.
The controllers also must be cooled. ZEV controllers are covered in deep cooling fins.
The more powerful the bike, the more fins on the controller. ZEV controllers must hold a minimum of 15 minutes of full power. All high power (over 3600 watts) ZEV controllers the controllers are fully filled with special aircraft heat conducting material (or they use our special liquid or forced air cooling packages). The aircraft material further makes it impossible for water to enter the controllers.
All of this attention to cooling is not just about power. It is about durability. The better the cooling the longer the parts last. That is why we can warranty bikes for two years when others warrant for two months.
4) How long does it take to charge a ZEV bike battery?
A lithium battery ZEV can absorb about a 75% charge in only about 25 minutes. Two hours generally in normal usage is required to "top off" the battery. Four hours if the battery is depleted is required. (The battery should not be ran to depletion as damage may occur)
Silicone (lead acid) batteries must be charged over a longer period of time than a lithium battery. 6-8 hours should be allowed.
The best life of the battery can be obtained by charging after every use. Running the battery to depletion and then charging shortens the life. Charging at 70-75% depletion instead of 80% depletion increases the battery life by 50% according to the battery supplier. Lithium and lead acid batteries do not have a "memory" and therefore can be charged whenever possible regardless of the charge left.
Charging with a 220 volt charger takes less time than with a 120 volt charger. Your house has two times more current available in a 220 volt outlet than compared to a 110 v outlet. Consider installing a 220 volt outlet and ordering a 220 v charger for shorter charge times with a high amp charging rate.
5) Does an electric vehicle need any maintenance?
Virtually none. Monthly they need the tire pressure monitored. Once each year the front forks must be checked for fluid. If you are driving an Lead Acid battery bike, the fluid levels must be checked in the batteries periodically.
6) What makes the ZEV bikes so special?
First - It is the performance and quality at the price. We beat any competitors performance and quality at an equal rated wattage motor or price. We sacrifice corporate overhead, not quality, service, and performance. Our money goes into design and innovation, not glitzy offices.
Second - Our bikes are USA NHTSA (DOT) and US EPA registered. When you buy a scooter there should be a Conformity Label on the bike showing that it meets the US regulations. Every bike is required by law to have an EPA Conformity label also. Many scooter/bike companies are selling illegal to drive vehicles. Thousands have been banned from the road or seized. Make sure your vehicle is not going to be one of them.
Third - The motor. Our motor makes more torque at less amps than any other known competitor. We obtain our torque at 70 amps to 80 amps.(model dependent) Others use far more to get the same torque. The higher amps of the competitors reduces range. A quick way to guage the motor effectiveness of a hub motor is to simply look at the diameter of the motor. The larger the diameter, the more torque at equal volts/amps. Our motor fills the wheel right to the rim. All others are much smaller in diameter with visible "spokes" or area between the motor and the rim like the EFun or Liberty (renamed ZAP and EFun) bikes.
Fourth - Battery Capacity. In general we have more battery capacity than our competitors. In engineering terms, our mass fraction for battery is very high. One quick way to determine if a motor scooter has a lot of capacity is to simply look at the floor between the feet. If it is flat clear across then the battery capacity is skimpy. A hump in the center usually means batteries the full length of the bike. If the batteries do not fill up the frame from wheel to wheel, you have no chance at a long usable range. The photo below is a ZEV battery pack. The difference is clear.
Fifth - Our Warranty. We warranty the bikes for two years. We are the only company offering electric scooters with a warranty more than a few months (except the $8,700 to $10,000 bikes).
Sixth - The handling. Bigger and better brakes than anyone else in combination with lighter weight, a stiffer frame made of heavier wall tubing, and a swingarm that is far stronger and stiffer. Chassis stiffness keeps the bike from driving erratic and will save your skin when you need the extra margin. The wheelbase is longer to make the bike more stable. Our swingarm is massive to stop twisting.
Seventh - Our controllers. No one else in the industry has a controller that cools as well or will supply full power for so long or run without shutting down on a hot day.
Eighth - Our multispeed "Electronic Transmission" that sharply reduces electric consumption for longer range.
7) How much less expensive is it to run electricity instead of gasoline?
The difference is radically in favor of the electric vehicle. Compare a conventional gas scooter of equivalent acceleration and speed capability measured versus a ZEV. At at July 2008 prices, to go full range, the gas scooter consumed $4.08 of gasoline. The ZEV4100 used $.07 (seven cents) of electricity. That is a 58 to 1 reduction in fuel cost or a 98.28% reduction.
8) How can I take a long trip with my ZEV bike?
Currently the way is to take the charger with you, or have a second charger at the destination. Our charger is so small it fits into the luggage box with space to spare.
If you would like a second carger, and you are an existing ZEV owner or buying one, we will provide a second charger at cost to you. Some people drive full range one way to work. Then they plug in the charger while they work and ride home again. It only takes about 25 minutes to charge 75% of battery capacity.
A tow behind trailer is being readied for sale in the USA. The first version carries a second battery pack. A hybrid motor pack is going through emissions testing now. If customers show an interest these trailers will be made available as accessories. The trailers are currently used for freight hauling in 2nd and 3rd world countries.
9) Do the bikes make any noise?
The bike is near silent. Hard throttle applications (drag race starts) produce a low "growl" for a few feet. Then the bike is silent except for the sound of the tires on the pavement.
10) How do you know when you need to charge the battery?
On every ZEV there is an available battery power meter in the instrument panel. This meter reads just like your gas guage. When you see the needle in the yellow, you need to charge.
11) How much storage space is available?
There is a luggage rack on the back of all ZEV. A luggage box is available to fit that rack. Under the seat is another large area on most models. Two coats are shown in this space in the photo below. This space will also hold a half helmet design helmet.
There is a large hook below the handlebars on which to hang grocery bags or a carrying case/handbag. This hook can be used as a bungie cord attachment point to carry large packages on the floorboards.
12) Why does the range vary as shown on the bike specification pages?
Range depends upon your driving style, the terrain, and the weight on the vehicle. This is just like your gasoline powered auto. If you accelerate fast, it takes more energy out of the "tank"(the battery) so the range is less. The more weight you load on the vehicle, the less the range as it takes more energy to haul that extra weight. Faster speeds cause aerodynamic resistance to the vehicles movement again reducing range. Hilly or mountainous terrain also expend more energy, just like in your gasoline vehicle, reducing range. A steady throttle always increases range.
Range further is linked to your driving by your use of the devices on the bike that conserve energy and increase range. These are the regenerative braking system that charges the battery when braking and the Electronic Transmission. Using the regen brake in conjunction with the standard brakes eases the load on the brakes making them last longer while charging the battery for longer range. Shifting the Electronic Transmission to the lowest amp setting that will still allow you to maintain the desired speed radically conserves energy. In city driving at lower speeds the Electronic Transmission can extend range 40%.
Our range testing is done on flat land, with continous running, not start and stop traffic.
13) I realize that there are very few parts in the bike. Are replacement parts expensive?
No, they are not expensive. Compared to a gasoline vehicle, the parts are very inexpensive. Using the example of our 4100 watt bike, consider, an entire new motor is $300., a throttle $15, a controller is $350. The replacement cost for batteries in August 2008 is $1840 for the lithium batteries. All of these parts are easily exchanged by an owner in very little time with very few tools. No high skill is required. So you can drive your ZEV and easily keep it running far into the future.
14) Is it correct that you sell all of the parts of your vehicles to racers and people that want to build some exotic vehicle or a racer?
Yes, that is correct. We encourage racing using our components. We believe that racing improves the breed. The racers and builders feedback is invaluable.
We also have a racing sponsorship program where a buyer can earn back 5% of his purchase price just by going to the track and running.
Technical service is available to racers along with information on modifying bikes for more power output.
15) How hard is it to replace a controller or motor?
The lower left side of the bike is made to open like a big hinge after taking out a few screws. Under the panel is a junction box. Removing the cover on the box gives instant access to the connectors for the controller. The controller is held onto the bike by 4 bolts. Unsnap the connectors, take out the 4 screws and the controller can be swapped out.
With the junction box exposed, 5 bolts will remove the rear wheel motor.
Allow about 30 minutes to change either part.
16) The bikes look big. Are they easy for a small person to ride or anyone to handle?
Yes, they are extremely easy to ride. The reason is that there is no motor or engine weight above the axle line. All of the weight of the motor is inside the wheel. The batteries are in the extreme bottom of the bike below the axle line. This means that the effective weight of the bike is only about 8 inches off of the ground. There is also no gasoline weight mounted high to cause balance problems.
Additionally, the overall weight is very low. Compare the ZEV5000 to the slower (and radically more expensive) Vectrix. The ZEV is 200 lbs lighter for a bike that is virtually the identical size.
17) Does the electric bike vibrate like a gasoline powered bike?
Not at all. The first thing riders notice is the silence and the lack of vibration (followed by the low center of gravity or balance point).
18) How do you protect the frame from corrosion?
Our frames are first cleaned then submerged in a plating tank. Next they are coated with extremely durable powder coating and the coating baked onto the frame.
19) How much faster are your bikes than the competition?
That is of course model dependent. But our fastest bike (ZEV5900 - special order) will run 125 kph or 78 mph. The radically more expensive Vectrix is advertised to run 62/63 mph. The best of the only slightly less expensive Chinese scooters are advertised to run 78 kph/48 mph. So we are 30 to 15 mph faster.
20) How much more range does your bikes have than the competition?
We have a major range advantage. Compared to the both the best of the Chinese bikes and the radically more expensive Vectrix our best bike range is about 40% to 50% further using what we believe to be equal testing methods,
This range advantage is a combination of lighter weight (than the Vectrix), lithium batteries, and motor efficiency and motor size, along with the Regen Braking. We have a major advantage due to the innovative 3 speed ZEV Electronic Transmission that reduces power consuption dramatically to increase range.
21) Is getting water on the electric hub motor or controller a big worry? Will it short out?
ZEV has a sealed hub motor and controller to our knowledge. None of the Chinese bikes have a sealed motor. There is a double seal at the axle and a seal around the motor housing. Riding in the rain or on a rain soaked street is not a problem. However, ZEV are not offroad bikes meant to be used to ford rivers or run through the mud or into salt water. The battery box is the main concern. Driving the bike into water that is deep enough to cause water to scoop into the body front air inlet and roll over the battery terminals would surely cause damage, the electrical equivalent of running water into a gasoline engine. Our ZEV Trail model can run in mud and water, but not over the battery box or over the axles.
22) How do I compare the various electric motor scooters from various companies?
First, You need to compare price versus power and range.
The Chinese scooters retailed by various internet groups usually have a MSRP of $4500 to $4900 for a 3000 to 3500 watt bike with lithium batteries. That bike will have a real speed of about 48 mph (although they advertise 55). This is similar to the slightly more powerful and longer range ZEV4100 which has a $5095 MSRP (before tax credits)
In comparison the Vectrix VX-2 has an advertised price of $5,195 for a bike that is advertised to run only 30 mph (18 mph slower than the ZEV3600)
In the higher priced models with more performance the Vectrix VX-1 at $10,495, and the VX-1E at $8,495 advertise the same 63 mph speed as the far better value ZEV5100. The custom ZEV7000 is far faster than any bike made by any company. The ZEV7000 runs 78 mph while costing significantly less.
You can also compare by Kw or watts. The ZEV5100 for instance would have 5100 watts or 5 Kw. This compares to the $10,000 Vectrix which has and advertised 3.8 Kw.
Second, look at what comes with the bike. The expensive Vectrix for example did not come with a both a center and side stand.
Next, look at the warranty. If the warranty of a bike is not up to ZEV standards of two years you know the quality is not good.
Do not assume that just paying more for a bike makes it better. Some companies spend their money on fancy offices and high overhead requiring high sales prices.
24) How long do the lithium batteries last?
According to the manufacturer they will last for over 3000 full cycles in general usage. The less depleted a battery is when it is charged, the more cycles will be obtained. In daily use a battery is generally not ran to near depletion, so the cycle life is high.
25) Do you have trouble with battery cooling?
We do not have hot battery problems because of our emphasis on cooling all parts of the system. To prevent any battery problems due to heat we use batteries that are in finned cases for heat shedding. These fins additionally prevent the batteries from fitting against each other creating cooling passages between the batteries that align with cooling passages in the battery mounting tray.
26) Explain the problem of corrosion in Chinese hub motors and how your oil bath stops this.
Normal Chinese made hub motors have a die cast aluminum housing. The metal is not treated for corrosion. So this is what they look like after a short time.
This white coating that forms from corrosion on the aluminum parts is just part of the problem. A rust also forms on the magnets. As the clearance in the motor is usually 1 mm or less, the motor becomes a grinder for the small particles of rust and aluminum oxide dragging down the motor. But even worse is the effect of heat in the motor. This white coating acts as a heat barrier causing the motors to run hotter. Hot motors do not last as long and make less power.
ZEV motor parts are treated to stop this corrosion and the heat problems that go with it. The oil bath in our hub motors keeps the parts coated in oil so the corrosion does not occur while cooling and lubricating the parts.