Customer Satisfaction of E-Bike in Sivakasi

INTRODUCTION:
An electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike or e-bike, is a bicycle with an
integrated electric motor used to assist propulsion. Many kinds of e-bikes are available
worldwide, but they generally fall into two broad categories: bikes that assist the rider's
pedal-power and bikes that add a throttle, integrating moped-style functionality. Both
retain the ability to be pedaled by the rider and are therefore not electric motorcycles. E-
bikes use rechargeable batteries and typically travel up to 25 to 32 km/h (16 to 20 mph).
High-powered varieties can often travel more than 45 km/h (28 mph). In some markets,
such as Germany as of 2013, they are gaining in popularity and taking some market share
away from conventional bicycles,[2] while in others, such as China as of 2010, they are
replacing fossil fuel-powered mopeds and small motorcycles. Depending on local laws,
many e-bikes (e.g., peddles) are legally classified as bicycles rather
than mopeds or motorcycles. This exempts them from the more stringent laws regarding
the certification and operation of more powerful two-wheelers which are often classed
as electric motorcycles. E-bikes can also be defined separately and treated under
distinct Electric bicycle laws. In the 1890s, electric bicycles were documented within
various U.S. patents. For example, on 31 December 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. was
granted U.S. Patent 552,271 for a battery-powered bicycle with "6-pole brush-and-
commutator direct current (DC) hub motor mounted in the rear wheel". There were no
gears and the motor could draw up to 100 amperes (A) from a 10-volt battery.[6]Two
years later, in 1897, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston invented an electric bicycle (U.S. Patent
596,272) that was propelled by a "double electric motor". The motor was designed within
the hub of the crankset axle.[7] This model was later re-invented and imitated in the late
1990s by Giant Laree e-bikes. A bike equipped with an aftermarket electric hub motor
conversion kit, with the battery pack placed on the rear carrier rack. By 1898 a rear-wheel
drive electric bicycle, which used a driving belt along the outside edge of the wheel, was
patented by Mathew J. Steffens. Also, the 1899 U.S. Patent 627,066 by John Schnapp
depicted a rear-wheel friction “roller-wheel” style drive electric bicycle.[8] Schnapp’s
invention was later re-examined and expanded in 1969 by G.A. Wood Jr. with his U.S.
Patent 3,431,994. Wood's device used 4 fractional horsepower motors; connected through
a series of gears.[9] By 2001 the terms e-bike, power bike, "pedelec", pedal-assisted, and
power-assisted bicycle were commonly used to refer to e-bikes. The terms "electric
motorbike" or "e-motorbike" refer to more powerful models that attain up to 80 km/h
(50 mph).In a parallel hybrid motorized bicycle, such as the aforementioned 1897
invention by Hosea W. Libbey, human and motor inputs are mechanically coupled either
in the bottom bracket, the rear wheel, or the front wheel, whereas in a (mechanical) series
hybrid cycle, the human and motor inputs are coupled through differential gearing. In an
(electronic) series hybrid cycle, human power is converted into electricity and is fed
directly into the motor and mostly additional electricity is supplied from a battery. By
2007 e-bikes were thought to make up 10 to 20 percent of all two-wheeled vehicles on
the streets of many major Chinese cities.[13] A typical unit requires 8 hours to charge the
battery, which provides the range of 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 km),[13] at the speed of
around 20 km/h.[14].
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:
Given that most of the electricity in India is obtained from the firing
of coal, e-bikes are not really friendly to the environment. They merely shift the location
of the pollution from the city to the source of electricity generation. This is not
necessarily bad, given that high levels of city pollution are medically damaging to the
residents of the city. However, it is bad for the planet, as a whole. Also bad for the planet
is that the batteries require to be replaced frequently, and batteries cannot be completely
recycled. There is substantial battery waste for which disposal will be a large problem
should a major shift occur to the use of e-vehicles. This concern applies to all batteries,
including lithium-ion batteries. The weight of the batteries makes the bike heavy; so, you
may not be able to carry heavy pillion riders (unless you hyperinflate your rear wheel
tyres), and you will need to check the tyre pressure regularly, perhaps every 10 days. E-
bikes can actually work out more expensive than petrol bikes given the high cost and
short life of the batteries.  However, there are many factors to be considered in the final
reckoning, and the reader is strongly recommended to the section of this website on cost
analysis. E-bikes have very low resale value. Owners who want to sell their e-bikes may
have difficulty in finding buyers. If the battery requires replacement, the bike has almost
no market value at all, and is unlikely to fetch more than scrap value. E-bikes may not
have the same life as a petrol vehicle because motors may not last as long as engines.
However, motors are replaceable. The most important expense that the owner might bear
is that of the batteries. The sealed, maintenance-free, lead acid batteries have a limited
life and have to be replaced if they get damaged or if they no longer offer a range that is
sufficient for the user's needs. Batteries generally last for about a year; it is rare for
batteries to last for 2 years. A lead acid battery set for an electric scooter set costs about
Rs.13,000-19,000, depending on rating, brand, quality, and warranties. Lithium-ion
batteries do not seem to be available for electric scooters, as yet (at least in India);
however, whereas these are better than lead acid batteries, they are far more expensive.
The range of an e-bike is the distance that the bike will run on a single charge. E-bikes
have a low range. In city riding, it would be risky to expect a range of more than 30 km,
even with new batteries. This means that it would be unwise to travel more than 15 km
away from home (because you would need to travel the same distance back) unless you
have an opportunity to charge the batteries for an hour or longer at your place of halt. 
This also means that you may not have enough of charge for unexpected additional travel
during the course of the day. In order to reduce vehicle weight, the body of some e-bikes
is made of light material. This can make the bike fragile in the event of even a minor
collision.
Significance of the study
Electric bikes require less maintenance in comparison to standard bikes.

While standard bikes need a regular check on lubricating and adjusting, an electric bike

saves you from all the fuss. However, you still have to be aware of the brake pads, tyros,

and fluid flush. Electric bikes also enjoy the advantage of a low fuel cost. Around 250

watts of power is used for 20 minutes of driving. The cost of electricity per unit is Rs 5,

which makes electric bikes quite affordable. Indian roads are perennially noisy. With the

unnecessary honks and endless squabble of people, the roads are always in a state of

pandemonium. Electric bikes breeze through the streets with surprising silence. Some

bikes have now come up with an artificial noise device to warm the commuters of the

approaching vehicle.

Objectives of the study

The present study based up on the macro approach to analysis Customer
Satisfaction of E-Bike in Sivakasi Specifically the objective the study is:

1.Assisted biking

2.Fast and flexible

3.Improve fitness

4. Cut back expenses

5. They’re the future of transportation

6.Wide variety of designs

7.Customer satisfaction
Methodology of study

The study based on the published data: hence, this research is called as
historical research. It is based on secondary data collected from articles. Journals and
websites.

Work Plan

In the First months -Procuring of books and journals, creating the review of literature.

In the second months -collection of secondary data & preparation of methodology &
survey instruments and field study.

Next three months – Data analysis Data processing

In last two months – Preparation of research report and submission of report.

S. No Name of the Expenditure Amount

1 Books and journal 1500

2 Field work 1900

3 Analysis 1200

4 Printing and stationary 1600

5 Contingency 1400

Total 7600