Everything You Need to Know About Electric Trike Motors
Oct. 28, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Trike Motors
E-trikes can have hub motors or mid-drive motors. Hub motors are cost-effective and enable throttle control. Mid-drives offer more stability and an intuitive riding experience.
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Whether that's seniors, adults, or differently-abled, a trike with an electric motor
can make a world of difference. They can help you get around more comfortably with little to no physical exertion required.
On top of that, you don't have to worry about balancing the bike. This opens up the possibility to carry cargo, and
pets
, or take it slow at your own pace.
E-trikes come with different battery capacities, power ratings, cargo capacities, and motors. Out of these, the motor can be the most confusing aspect, so let's talk more about this and discuss your options.
Check out our collection of
Addmotor electric trikes
How E-Trike Motors Operate
Similar to how many other motors operate, electric trike motors
draw electricity from the battery and convert it into mechanical energy.
Simply put, the motor consists of moving electromagnets (the rotor) that repel or attract a centrally fixed magnet (the stator) to rotate and create motion. When current is provided in a specific sequence, these attraction and repulsion forces can be used to spin the motor.
This, in turn, helps add momentum to the wheels (or chain, depending on the motor type) and allows you to maintain the same speed or torque without having to pedal harder.
Addmotor electric trikes
and e-bikes use brushless DC motors (BLDC). These are more resistant to wear and tear. Besides, they can work with the DC power provided by the battery and controller.
Types of Electric Trike Motors
E
lectric trike motors
also share the same types of motors similar to e-mountain bikes and e-commuter bikes
Addmotor electric trikes
come with both hub motors and mid-drive motor variations. However, considering the performance specifications and the cost of these different types, hub motors are the most common motor e-trike
option.
Some of these are the front and rear hub motors, rear-mounted hub motors, and mid-drive motors.
Hub Motors
As the name suggests, hub motors get their name since they sit directly on the &#;hub&#; of the wheels and drive it forward. Hub motors are the most prevalent type used in e-bikes since they are easy to manufacture and don't cost as much as mid-drives.
However, hub drive motors tend to be larger and heavier than mid-drives. They take up more space and can
significantly impact the weight balance of the e-bike
.
For an electric trike motor
, hub motors can be situated at either the front wheel or rear axle. Typically, front-mounted hub drives are better for more casual and lightweight riders in smooth terrain.
Meanwhile, rear-mounted hub drives are more high-performance and best for cargo, heavy riders, and faster speeds.
Front Mounted Electric Trike
Front
motor e-trikes
have the hub motor installed at the front wheel. Usually, front-mounted hub drives can be found in throttle-powered e-trikes that don&#;t have a high power rating.
Front-mounted hub drives usually do better in spreading out the weight of the bicycle. This is because most e-bikes have the battery pack (the other component that weighs a lot) installed in the rear.
They are also easier to install and remove. You don&#;t have to remove the derailleur or mess around with the freewheel.
Typically, front wheels aren&#;t as susceptible to flat tires. As such, they free up the rear wheel, allowing you to patch up rear wheel flats in a pinch.
Currently, the
Addmotor GRANDTAN
is our best choice for a well-balanced front-mounted
trike with an electric motor
. It&#;s ideal for adults, and seniors and comes with a step-through frame for easy access.
Rear-Mounted Electric Trike
In the case of electric trikes, the rear-mounted
motor e-trikes
have a motor installed into the rear axle.
Compared to front-mounted e-trikes,
rear-mounted ones tend to have better traction overall.
This is mostly because the majority of your weight shifts to the rear and allows the rubber to meet the road with a tighter grip.
On top of that, they are much more discreet. The rear
mounted
motor can hide behind the rear wheels and derailleurs without looking too obvious.
Also, since they push the rear wheels, you get a &#;pushing&#; sensation instead of the unfamiliar &#;pulling action&#; resulting from hub drives in the front wheels.
Addmotor&#;s TRIKETAN II
is our recommendation for a rear-mounted trike with an electric motor
. It runs on a 750W rear hub motor with torque sensors to provide a more natural sense of assistance and maneuverability.
Direct Drive VS Geared
For hub drives, another important spec to consider is the gearing. You can find hub motors as geared or direct-drive options.
Typically, the gears are used to reduce the speed (or RPM) of the
electric trike motor
and convert this to additional torque. As such, geared hub motors are better suited for low-speed high-torque applications.
Direct-drive motors have a simpler construction. They are affordable, easy to repair, and excel in situations where maintaining top speed is more important.
Pedal-Assist VS Throttle Drive
Another important aspect of picking between hub motors is deciding on the mode of operation. In this case, you have two options: pedal assist and throttle.
Throttle drive is the simplest and most affordable option. As the name suggests, you can control the electric trike motor
via a thumb or twist throttle.
Driving a throttle-powered trike with an electric motor
might be more akin to driving a moped or scooter. You can still use the pedals and pump the throttle whenever you need an extra boost.
Meanwhile, pedal-assist feels more natural. The e-trike uses cadence sensors
or torque sensors
to detect the speed (or cadence) at which you're pedaling. It will then provide an appropriate amount of power.
Mid-Drive Motors
Contact us to discuss your requirements of electric trike motorcycles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Mid-drive motors sit right in the middle, in between the pedals of the bike. Unlike hub motors, they don&#;t provide power to the wheels. Instead, they lend power to the trike&#;s chain (or in some cases, belt).
T
he riding experience is much smoother and more natural
since they
use torque sensors and help balance the weight.
Compared to hub motors, mid-drives are the more high-end option. Mid-drive motor e-trikes
can dole out massive amounts of torque to climb steep hills and maintain top speeds through varying terrain.
The only downside is that electric trike motors
with mid-drives tend to be more costly. On top of that, if the chain breaks, you can&#;t rely on the motor to get you back home or to a repair shop.
The
Grandtan Turbo
is our top pick for a mid-drive powered e-trike. This trike has a W Bafang mid-drive motor and can reach top speeds of 20mph with 160Nm of torque.
Torque Sensors
Since they're connected to the drive
-
train, mid-drive motors cannot provide power independently via a throttle. Instead, they strictly rely on pedal-assist modes and torque sensors.
Torque sensors tend to offer a much smoother riding experience. This is because
the sensor can detect how hard you&#;re trying to pedal
, instead of simply detecting your pedaling speed.
This makes climbing hills and gathering momentum, from a complete stop, fairly effortless. Besides, it feels much more natural than a traditional push-tricycle.
What to Look For When Deciding Between E-Trike Motors?
The motor is one of the most significant aspects you must consider when deciding to purchase an Addmotor electric trike
.
So after deciding on the type of motor for your e-trike, which includes the construction, gearing, and mode of operation, you also need to pick out a couple of other important specs. These are the rated power of the motor and battery capacity.
Rated Power
The power rating on electric trike motors
can sometimes be pretty vague. Depending on the manufacturer, the power rating might indicate the maximum achievable power or maximum continuous power.
On top of that, the actual amount of power depends on external factors as well. These primarily have to do with the weight, battery capacity, terrain, and capabilities of the motor controller.
Whatever the case, you must take a look at the top speed, range, and maximum torque to get a better sense of the motor e-trike&#;s
capabilities.
So be sure to prioritize these specs with your needs. For instance, if you&#;re a heavier rider or need to haul cargo, prioritize a high-power motor with an appropriate amount of torque.
Typically, a mid-drive or geared hub motor with a power rating of around 750W-W will suffice.
On the flip side, if you&#;re a casual and lightweight city-slicker, you don&#;t necessarily need a W power rating or a mid-drive motor.
Battery Capacity and Range
Large-capacity batteries will always offer better range. That said, extra batteries can add to the weight of the trike with an electric motor
. This change can be especially noticeable when you start to accelerate from a complete stop or cruise at low speeds.
If you&#;re concerned about the weight balance of the e-trike, you might have to go for a mid-drive or a hefty front-mounted hub motor to even things out.
Also, the battery output can impact the power draw of the electric trike motor
. At low battery levels, the motor won&#;t put out enough torque.
You must prepare for this by considering your use cases and calculating the range required.
Wrapping Up
The motor draws power from the batteries and converts it into mechanical energy. This can then help turn the wheels or
drive-train
and give you an extra boost.
For an electric trike motor
, you can go for front-mounted, rear-mounted hub drives or mid-drive motors. Mid-drives tend to offer the most natural riding experience since they use torque sensors and pedal assist.
Hub motors tend to be more affordable than mid-drives. On top of that, they can be implemented for throttle control, a feature that&#;s always included in Addmotor electric trikes
meant for adults and seniors.
Intro to Electric Tricycle - What they are and How they work?
Gone are the days when calculating fuel prices when traveling long distances was a common practice, and people tried to avoid using their automobiles when commuting short distances daily. The hike in fuel prices led to these practices but also left room for thoughts for automobile companies. All of this together brought you the convenience of
electric tricycle
for your daily commute and once in lifetime adventures. So if you are on a vehicle hunt that doesn&#;t cost you an arm and leg, then you are on the right page, as it contains all the information you need to know about a three wheel electric trike.
What is an electric tricycle?
The first thing that comes to everyone&#;s mind is what makes an e-trike different from a traditional motorbike. As the name indicates, an electric tricycle comes with three wheels and a built-in electric motor, which makes it environmentally friendly and also provides a smooth, comfortable, and less-tiring riding experience. The three wheels provide extra stability and comfort and are especially helpful for adults who face difficulty in maintaining balance on an electric bike. The three wheels in an electric tricycle are also capable of carrying heavy weight and also provide storage space, so it's also useful for transportation. A
3 wheel electric bike for adults
has many other benefits and can be a useful purchase for various modes of commuting.
How does an electric tricycle work?
Another thing that makes an e-trike different from a manual tricycle is the way it functions. It has a built-in electric motor placed at the front or rear wheels that provide pedaling assistance. This feature makes it a great vehicle for adults who get tired easily with pedaling and struggle in traveling long distances. If you get tired and don&#;t want to paddle at all, you can use the full throttle mode of your three wheel electric trike, and the motor will do all the work. Some electric trikes provide either pedal assistance or full throttle while others may provide you with both perks. The electric motor is powered by rechargeable batteries, and the mileage of a good brand electric trike cover on a single charge is what makes it stand out. The electric motor and full-throttle mode of an electric tricycle give you a smooth and comfortable riding experience on terrains, hills, and snowy or muddy lands. So these motorized trikes for adults can be a travel partner in any weather condition. The battery also allows the head and tail lights to function so that adults can have a comfortable riding experience at night. The e-trikes have a great shock-absorbing capacity that makes the ride smooth and enjoyable for adults and reduces the risk of injuries.
Things to consider before buying a three wheel electric trike
Buying an electric trike isn&#;t about spending some cash but an investment of a large amount of money. So you wouldn&#;t buy any trike available in the market but find the best one for yourself. You may find it difficult to decide which adult 3 wheel electric bike is best for you. So here we have combined some things that you can consider before buying an electric trike for yourself.
#1. Electric Motor
Since 3-wheel electric trikes work on a built-in electric motor, it is important to know about the power of the motors. Usually, the motor powers of e-trikes range between 250 to watts. The higher the power of the motor, more the speed of the trike. And since the 3-wheel electric trikes are heavier than the traditional bikes, it requires more motor power to accelerate on terrain or hilly area. So if you want your electric tricycle for daily commuting and recreational activities, you must look for fat tire electric trike with 500 watts of power or more. When talking about motors, you would come across two types of motors, the commonly used hub motors, and the mid-drive motors. Hub motors are mounted at either front or rear wheels and directly apply the torque towards the wheels while mid-drive motors are mounted on cranks and apply torque directly towards the chainring. Mid-drive motors can help you ride easily over terrains and hills on low gear, while hub motors are best for daily commuting.
#2. Battery performance
You wouldn&#;t want your battery-powered trike to stop suddenly in the middle of the way due to low battery. That is why it is important to know about the battery performance of a fat tire electric trike, as it also provides power to the motor. The large battery capacity would allow you to cover longer distances on a single charge and wouldn&#;t require you to recharge the battery in the middle of the journey. You may have to decide between two types of batteries, lead acid battery or lithium battery. The lithium battery is usually preferred over the lead acid battery as it provides a longer range and is lighter than the lead acid battery.
#3. Fat tires
You may find a variety of electric trikes in the market but the most popular among them are the
fat tire electric trikes
. As the name says, these 3-wheel electric trikes have wider tires than traditional trikes. The extra width of the tires provides a smooth and comfortable ride off-road on terrains or hills and snowy and muddy roads during harsh weather conditions. The fat tire motorized trikes are best for adults as the fat tires provide better control and stability to the riders. The large shock-absorbing capacity of the fat tire electric trike results in a smooth riding experience even on bumpy roads. The fat tires have more air volume, so they are not susceptible to punctures or frequent wear and tear when riding on uneven or rough surfaces.
#4. Lighting system
Before buying a 3-wheel electric bike, you must also consider a safe and smooth ride at night. That means a 3-wheel electric trike must have a built-in lighting system to drive safely at night. This lighting system should include a headlight, tail light, brake light, and turn signals. The headlight should cover a long visual range and greater lumen for clear visibility at night. The lighting system of a fat tire electric trike would work on a battery, so make sure that the electric trike consumes the minimum percentage of a battery and doesn&#;t run out of battery frequently due to the lighting system.
#5. Brake system
You would never compromise on safety and want your e-trike to have efficient brakes to prevent any accident. You would see fat tire electric trikes with different types of brake systems in the market, but you may consider the one with the disc brakes as they are considered the gold standard in an electric tricycle. Disc brakes are efficient and would stop the vehicle smoothly and instantly whenever you want, preventing you from any kind of accident.
#6. Maximum load-bearing capacity
Motorized trikes for adults already have their heavy weight due to additional electrical and mechanical components, all built into the electric trike. So before buying a 3-wheel electric bike, you should consider options with maximum load capacity according to your use. If you want a battery-powered trike for your daily commute, then load capacity won't be a problem, but for grocery shopping or transportation, you should check the carrying capacity of the electric tricycle, so that doesn&#;t affect your overall riding experience.
How to choose the best electric trike for yourself?
To choose the best-motorized trikes for adults, here are some steps that you need to follow:
1. First, decide the purpose behind buying an electric trike and where you would be riding it the most. It would help you shortlist the one according to your need from the variety of electric trikes for adults available in the market.
2. You should now consider and look for the above-mentioned features in your fat tire electric trike, as it would help you choose the best electric tricycle according to your need.
3. Choose a 3-wheel electric trike that offers you the best value for money. A battery powered trike with advanced electric and mechanical features might be a bit expensive, but it would provide convenience for a lifetime. You may also pass by some cheaper options in the market, but you may have to compromise on quality and features.
4. Take a test ride to ensure that your chosen electric trike rides as smoothly and comfortably as it promises to. Also, test all the features while taking a test ride to ensure everything works properly and is one of the best electric trike.
5. Make sure to ask about the warranty of the electric trike, how long it lasts, and which parts it covers to avoid future inconveniences.
6. Finally, you can enjoy riding your 3-wheel electric bike as you have bought the best one for yourself.
Where to find the best electric trike for yourself?
For more smooth shopping experience, you have a one-stop solution where you can find a variety of motorized trikes for adults. Addmotor offers you a variety of
electric trikes for adults
manufactured perfectly with the latest features in different designs, colors, and prices. You can easily find one for yourself according to your need. Our latest GrandTan series offers you the best electric trikes for adults with all the features that you may consider before choosing an electric trike.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 72v electric motorcycle.
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