Electric Tricycle Project Puerto Princesa



Dave Dewbre delivering the 3000 watt ebike to Mayor Hagedorn

June 13, 2009 - Mayor Ed Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines, wanted to know if our 3000watt electric motorcycle would pull an existing side car used on their local gas tricycles. That same day Dave Dewbre, EVC-CEO of Digital Web Group, Inc., and Willy Dela Cruz of Eagle Motorcycles Philippines, took it to a welder and an Etrike prototype was ready for testing by 8am the following morning. We brought the finished eTrike to show Mayor Hagedorn the results. He inspected it and then had one of his drivers test it. Later he decided to test it for himself. The Mayor took off on it like it was a Ferrari! Each of us took turns taking the mayor around the compound on the new Etrike! Even Diana Limjoco, CFO of Digital Web Group, Inc. had to get in on the action."

This was a test of Mayor Hagedorn's EV feasability study to address Puerto Princesa's existing gas tricycle problem. The study was to test the ability of this 3000 watt electric motorcycle to function under existing streets, inclines and passenger scenarios. Mayor Ed Hagedorn, considered the possibility of converting the 4000 existing wide tricycle bodies as a budgetary reduction possibility.



Diana Limjoco driving Mayor Ed Hagedorn for the first test drive
on the 3000 watt etrike conversion.

The DWG 3000 watt electric motorbike, provided by DWG, Inc., did indeed make it all day around the town without needing a charge and to date is still running. After consideration for long term use and future needs, city image etc, a more ergonomic and lighter fiberglass body was chosen by the Mayor instead.

Dave Dewbre, EVC (Electric Vehicle Consultant) and CEO of Digital Web Group Inc., along with Willy Dela Cruz, CEO of Eagle Motorcycles, recently announced the upcoming release of electric tricycles in the Philippines. Addressing the need for alternative transportation, driven by emerging economies and decreasing petroleum reserves, Dave Dewbre is on a mission to promote electric tricycle projects for Philippines cities.

Dave Dewbre, an environment protection advocate, invested heavily in EVs and particularly in electric motorcycle research and development for over four years in order to help problems such as air pollution, global warming and rising energy costs. A lot of technology has been developed and more is underway. All of the final products can easily be upgraded as technology changes. They are also safe, economical and aerodynamic in design.

The company will be opening distribution and retail outlets in all major locations. They will also establish several battery charging stations and provide training for upcoming EV mechanics. This project will not only contribute to environment protection, but will also provide job opportunities for the Filipino community.

About Eagle Motorcycles

Eagle Motorcycles is a retailer and distributor of electric motorcycles, scooters, and motorbikes in Asia and the Philippines. Eagle Electric Motorcycles and the Environment Friendly Store were established in response to the need of developing a global electric vehicle market. Eagle Motorcycles have assembled a team of industry recognized experts with vast experience in all aspects of Electric Vehicle procurement, development, and deployment.

Electric Motorcycle benefits

Here's an excerpt from an article that reviews several electric motorcycles, which talks about the benefits of electric motorcycles.

Bart MadsonManaging Editor- Motorcycle-usa.com

Due to environmental concerns and the fact that $4/gallon gas is now a reality, the desire for alternatives to the internal combustion engine are more in demand than ever before. So, like automobiles, future motorcycles figure to be greener, more efficient machines. Who knows, 50 years from now riders may look back at our gas-engine beauties the same way we look at Roper's steam-powered relic.

Plug-in electrics, hybrids, fuel cells and even compressed air all hold promise in the years to come. And the next big thing in motorcycle design may already be out there. So let's take a fresh look at the alternative two-wheelers.

ELECTRIC
Electric powered motorcycles are the most developed alternative technology available. And electric power seems well suited to a two-wheeled design, as a lighter overall weight means smaller motors and fewer heavy batteries are required than those on an electric car. The electric motor also figures to be a good application for a commuter motorcycle, with immediate torque delivery for quick spurts of power (in theory, as we have yet to sample any electric-only designs yet, although we're working on it.)

Electric vehicles, produce no emissions and operate at a high level of efficiency. Right now the biggest drawbacks to electric motorcycles are low top speeds and short ranges. Most bikes are limited to 50 mph top speed, or less, with ranges under the 50-mile mark as well - usually under 20 miles. Breakthroughs in battery technology, however, may solve some of these shortcomings, with new Lithium-based batteries promising lighter weight and more potential power.

On the plus side, those few miles traveled will be affordable ones for the operator, as some estimates place the electric cost per mile as low as $0.02 or less. (Compare that to a 25 mpg gas car, which at $4/gallon costs $0.16 per mile - at $4 gas even a 70 mpg conventional gas scooter is over a nickel per mile.)

Another advantage to electricity as an alternative source of motorcycle power is the delivery infrastructure is already in place, with electric bikes needing only an empty socket to get juiced back up. While charge time takes longer than filling up at the pump, getting to the station is a lot quicker and the monthly payment of one utility bill would replace all those depressing, budget-shrinking fuel stops.

The environmental benefits of the electric motorcycle come from zero emissions produced. The catch being that while fossil fuels are not burned directly during the operation of an electric motorcycle, the majority of electricity in the U.S. is still generated from coal-burning powerplants. Electric designs are not wasteful, however, with claims of up to 90% efficiency and the big green pay-off comes with the future development of renewable energy as a significant contributor to the electric grid - still decades away but a growing sector nonetheless.