The Yakbike cargo e-trike has been unveiled and it sports an innovative drivetrain setup. The Yakbike cargo e-trike omits the traditional chain or belt drivetrain found on most e-bikes for an electronic one.
The Yakbike e-trike is manufactured by the Swiss company Schematic and its crankset is placed directly in line with its flat-front cargo bed. The stability of the Yakbike e-trike is boosted by allowing its front to lean into corners while its rear end remains upright. The Yakbike’s stepless electronic drivetrain avoids the difficulties of incorporating the innovations with a traditional drivetrain.
In terms of operation, the stepless electronic drivetrain is designed to draw power from the rider’s pedaling of the machine. The rider’s pedaling effect spins up a generator that charges the battery. The battery then provides power for the dual 250W rear hub motors. Schematic says the design of the Yakbike is similar to the Free Drive system.
Each of the Yakbike’s motors delivers up to 170Nm of torque and the e-trike has a top speed of 25km/h. The 48V 5,200Wh lithium-ion battery of the Yakbike delivers a range of 80km on a single charge. The range is further extended to 150km when a second battery is added. The trike’s regenerative braking system also helps to extend its range. The Yakbike also comes with hydraulic disc brakes, LED lighting, and a throttle mode useful when pushing the trike or starting after a stop.
The Yakbike cargo e-trike is available with different cargo modules for extended functionality. It weighs 70kg and can carry a maximum payload of 350kg. The Yakbike e-trike has a starting price of 9,990 Swiss Francs (~$11,371) for the base model with a pickup truck design. Other cargo options include an organic waste bin, a trash bin, and a large Yakbox delivery box.
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