{"id":32882,"date":"2022-10-04T05:37:23","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T09:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=32882"},"modified":"2022-10-04T05:37:23","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T09:37:23","slug":"okai-eb50-electric-bike-boost-speed-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=32882","title":{"rendered":"E-bike company releases over-the-air update boosting its electric bike speed over 50%"},"content":{"rendered":"

As if we needed any more evidence proving how tech-integrated the latest generation of e-bikes are, look no further than the OKAI EB50<\/a>. The company has just released an over-the-air (OTA) update that lets users significantly increase the top speed limit of the bike.<\/p>\n

Originally launched earlier this summer as the OKAI Ranger<\/a>, the 1,000W fat tire OKAI EB50 electric bike arrived with a rather mundane top speed of 20 mph (32 km\/h).<\/p>\n

That kept the bike legally designated as a Class 2 e-bike in the US, meaning it had a throttle-operated top speed of no more than 20 mph, and could masquerade its 1,000W motor as a 750W continuous-rated motor to comply with the Class 2 e-bike limits.<\/p>\n

But a recently released update to the OKAI smartphone app that pairs with the bike has given owners more than just a fancy new skin or rounder icons. This time the update came with serious performance increases.<\/p>\n

The app provides the option to unlock the top speed to a higher 28 mph (45 km\/h). <\/p>\n

\"okai<\/figure>\n

Interestingly though, OKAI itself has confirmed that users are actually seeing speeds as high as 31 mph (50 km\/h) with a fully charged battery. Unlike many larger electric vehicles that regulate their voltage for smoother performance, most e-bikes power their motor controllers and thus motors directly from their pack voltage. That means higher motor RPMs are available at higher states of charge, with an e-bike\u2019s top speed then slowly tapering down as the battery discharges.<\/p>\n

The new update also appears to unlock that new high speed on throttle-only operation, meaning that riders don\u2019t need to pedal as well to engage speeds above 20 mph. Generally speaking, Class 3 e-bikes require pedal assist to engage motor power between 20-28 mph. An e-bike that can hit the Class 3 top speed limit of 28 mph but on throttle-only isn\u2019t technically considered Class 3 eligible anymore.<\/p>\n

This could have regulatory implications that see the $1,999 OKAI EB50 e-bike<\/a> falling outside of the three designated e-bike classes that are adopted in much of the US. In practice, most police departments don\u2019t yet understand the nuance of e-bike classes and thus aren\u2019t out there patrolling for e-bikes that look like they\u2019re going slightly over 20 mph without pedaling.<\/p>\n

Even so, slipping outside of designated e-bike regulations is a dangerous game to play, as it could subject such e-bikes to motor vehicles laws that the three class e-bike system is designed to exempt them from.<\/p>\n

\"okai<\/figure>\n

The OKAI EB50 electric bike\u2019s extensive app \u2014 complete with OTA updates to adjust the bike\u2019s performance \u2014 isn\u2019t the only tech-centric feature on the bike. The EB50 also comes with an NFC-enabled key card to give riders a secure way to lock and unlock the e-bike, though the app can also be used to unlock the e-bike over Bluetooth to avoid carrying a key card.<\/p>\n

Many e-bike companies are doubling down on feature-rich apps and other tech-focused features as a way to differentiate their products from competitors. This is especially true of companies that rely largely on OEM components that are found on dozens of other e-bike models. Hardware innovations <\/a>are often much more expensive and labor intensive to innovate, but software innovations may only require a few computer science interns and bargain basement wages.<\/p>\n

Could OKAI\u2019s move be a sign of what\u2019s to come in the industry? Will there be more common performance unlocks available as simple and easy downloads? Or will e-bike companies go the way of Zero Motorcycles<\/a> and offer upgrades as downloadable content to be purchased in the future? Let\u2019s hear your thoughts in the comments section below.<\/p>\n

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