A Chat with Shaun Howarth about E-Bikes

The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric compact sedan built by Tesla, designed for everyday driving with a focus on efficient electric power. It often comes up in EV discussions because it’s one of the most common EVs people own and talk about, including charging and real-world range experiences. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as a specific car the guest had in New Zealand.

A mid-drive motor is mounted near the bike’s bottom bracket, driving the drivetrain through the crank and chain. Because it can use the bike’s gears, it often delivers better climbing performance and more efficient power use than hub motors.

A hub motor is an electric motor built into the wheel hub, so it drives the wheel directly. That usually means less drivetrain complexity than mid-drive systems, but it can feel different in how power is applied and how efficiently it climbs hills.

On these e-bikes, the motor placement determines whether drive power goes to the rear wheel directly or through the chain. That affects wear patterns (like chain wear) and how power is delivered during acceleration and climbing.

The chain is the drivetrain component that transfers power from the motor (in a mid-drive setup) to the rear wheel via the sprockets. When more of the bike’s propulsion goes through the chain, it can increase chain wear compared with hub-motor designs.

An oil crisis refers to a period when oil supply or prices become unstable, which can raise fuel costs and push people to look for alternatives. The host ties it to increased interest in commuting by e-bike instead of driving.

An e-bike throttle is a rider-controlled input that commands the motor to provide assistance without pedaling. The segment describes a throttle that can start from zero, which changes how quickly the bike can accelerate from a stop.

An 8-speed drivetrain means the bike has eight gear ratios, letting the rider choose easier or harder pedaling depending on speed and hills. On mid-drive e-bikes, gear selection can significantly affect how the motor works.

A 10-speed drivetrain provides more gear ratios than an 8-speed, which can help keep the motor and rider in a more efficient cadence across a wider range of speeds. It can also make it easier to find the right gear for climbs.

An adjustable stem is the handlebar mount that can be repositioned to change riding posture. Moving it can help you sit more upright instead of leaning forward, which can reduce strain for some riders.

Electric bikes (e-bikes) use an electric motor and a battery to assist pedaling. Because the battery adds mass, e-bikes are often heavier than regular bikes, which affects handling and transport.

A removable battery lets you detach the e-bike’s power pack for easier carrying, charging, or storage. This is especially useful when lifting the bike onto a rack or when you don’t want to bring the whole bike inside.

Air suspension uses compressed air in the shocks instead of (or alongside) metal springs. It’s often adjustable and can be tuned for rider weight and ride feel, which helps with comfort and handling.

Levels of assistance are different settings for how much the e-bike motor helps while you pedal. Higher assistance reduces effort on hills or for riders who want a less strenuous ride.

In this context, “level playing field” means e-bike assistance reduces the gap in fitness or speed between riders. The motor help lets different riders keep up more easily, making group rides more inclusive.

A singletrack trail is a narrow path meant for one bike at a time, usually with tight turns and limited room to pass. On steep or technical singletrack, riding skill and traction matter a lot, so an e-bike’s assist can change how manageable the ride feels.

“Cheating” is a common social argument against e-bikes: the idea that motor assistance makes the rider’s effort less “real.” The speaker pushes back, framing e-bikes as a way to keep people active rather than avoid effort entirely.

An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor that assists your pedaling. The motor helps you climb hills and ride farther with less effort, while you still typically pedal to control speed and direction.

LDV e-Deliver 3 is an electric van model used for deliveries and light commercial work. The key point is that it’s an EV platform in a utilitarian van form factor, which matters because it’s designed for routes, payload needs, and frequent stop-and-go driving.

An electric van is a commercial vehicle that uses an electric powertrain instead of a gasoline or diesel engine. In practice, that usually means charging infrastructure planning and thinking about range for delivery routes.

The Ford Transit is a popular commercial van used for deliveries and trades. In this segment, it’s used as a reference point to describe the size and “panel van” style of the e-bike transport vehicle.

A panel van is a commercial van with a mostly enclosed cargo body and limited or no side windows. It’s typically used for transporting goods rather than passengers.

A sliding door is a side door that moves horizontally along tracks, commonly used on vans to make it easier to enter and exit in tight spaces. It’s especially practical for commercial vehicles where quick access matters.

Barn doors are the two-part rear doors on many vans and trucks that open outward like doors on a barn. They provide wide access to the cargo area for loading bulky items.

Tie-downs are anchor points and straps used to secure cargo so it can’t shift during driving. In a van, they’re important for safely transporting items like e-bikes.

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery is rated by how much electrical energy it can store. The speaker cites a “52.5 kilowatt hour battery,” using kWh as the key measure of how far the e-bike can go on a charge.

“Charge net charges” appears to refer to a charging network or operator that provides public charging. The speaker is listing available charging options in New Zealand to explain why charging is convenient.

BP is a major energy company that sells gasoline and also operates charging infrastructure in some markets. Here, it’s mentioned as one of the providers of electric vehicle charging locations.

Shell is an energy company known for fuel and, in some regions, electric vehicle charging networks. In this segment, it’s referenced as part of the local charging ecosystem in New Zealand.

Zed is described as a New Zealand company that provides electric charging locations. The speaker mentions it to show that charging options are widespread enough to avoid range anxiety.

A “full charge” means the battery is charged to its maximum usable capacity. The speaker uses it as the reference point for estimating range (kilometers/miles) from the battery.

The Suzuki Vitara is a compact SUV from Suzuki, known for being a popular, globally sold crossover. In this segment, it’s mentioned as the New Zealand nameplate that corresponds to a different model in the US market.

The Geo Tracker was a compact SUV sold in the US under the Geo brand. In this discussion, the speaker says the Geo Tracker is the same underlying vehicle as the Suzuki Vitara, just marketed under a different name in the US.

The Chevrolet C10 is a classic American pickup truck known for its simple, durable design and strong aftermarket support. In an EV-focused podcast context, it’s being discussed alongside an electric conversion idea (the transcript mentions a “lead motor C10”), which is significant because it shows how older trucks are being adapted to run on electric power. That makes it a notable example of EVs beyond new factory vehicles.

The BYD Atto 3 is an all-electric compact SUV from BYD, designed to offer practical space and everyday usability. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as the EV the guest has experience with, which makes it relevant to discussions about real-world ownership and charging. It also appears alongside other vehicles the guest has had, helping frame their EV history.

Volkswagen is mentioned as one of the non-Chinese brands still present in New Zealand’s EV market. The speaker contrasts it with the growing number of Chinese EVs.

Tesla is referenced as a major EV brand with a strong presence in New Zealand. The speaker groups it with other widely available EV options compared to earlier years.

Kia is a mainstream automaker that’s expanding into electric vehicles, including e-bikes in some markets. The host references Kia advertising and a specific model name, suggesting Kia’s EV lineup is becoming more visible to consumers.

Hyundai is a major automaker that’s also active in electric vehicles and related electrified mobility. Here, the host groups Hyundai and Kia together as brands that are reasonably popular in New Zealand.

A test ride is when you try an e-bike in real conditions before buying it. The host recommends it because e-bike feel and assistance can vary a lot between models, and you should confirm it works for your needs.

A helmet is protective headgear, and the host emphasizes it as a key safety item for e-bike riders. They mention crash experience to underline that head injuries can happen quickly even when you think you can react.

Cargo bikes are e-bikes designed to carry heavier loads, often with a front or rear cargo area. The host mentions them in the context of business delivery use, like food delivery services.

Pedal assist (on an e-bike) means the motor helps only when you’re pedaling, typically with adjustable levels. The host contrasts it with throttle-controlled bikes, implying pedal assist can feel more natural and predictable for many riders.

“45 miles an hour” is a speed reference used to describe the potential top speed of some throttle-controlled e-bikes. It matters because speed capability affects how the bike feels, how safe it is, and what rules may apply where you ride.

An e-bike drive system is the combined set of components that deliver motor power to the drivetrain (typically motor, controller, and related gearing/connection points). The speaker calls the throttle-and-gear approach “probably the best thing for the bike in the drive system.”

Assistance levels are selectable settings that change how much motor help the e-bike provides. Higher levels boost speed on hills but typically drain the battery faster, while lower levels extend range.