Hybrid Electric Bicycle with Motor Control and Solar Charger with Regeneration
Keywords:
ESP32 motor control, Hybrid electric bicycle, MPPT (maximum power point tracking), PWM speed control, Regenerative braking, Solar-assisted chargingAbstract
The increasing demand for clean and energy-efficient transportation has led to the development of light electric mobility solutions such as electric bicycles. This study presents the design and implementation of a hybrid electric bicycle incorporating motor control, solar charging, and energy regeneration to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The propulsion system employs a 24 V DC geared motor controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller, which provides Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) based speed control and real-time monitoring of system parameters. A photovoltaic panel integrated with a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller enables auxiliary battery charging using renewable solar energy. Energy regeneration is achieved by operating the motor in generator mode during deceleration, allowing partial recovery of kinetic energy and improving battery efficiency. Experimental testing demonstrates stable motor performance, smooth speed control, and reliable operation under real-world conditions. The system achieves a cruising speed suitable for urban commuting and an extended travel range due to the combined effects of solar charging and regeneration. The proposed hybrid electric bicycle offers an environmentally friendly, low-cost transportation alternative with reduced reliance on fossil fuels and grid electricity. This study confirms the feasibility of integrating renewable energy and intelligent motor control in personal mobility applications.
References
J. P. Rodrigue, C. Comtois, and B. Slack, The Geography of Transport Systems, 5th ed. New York, NY, USA: Routledge, 2020.
International Energy Agency (IEA), “CO₂ Emissions from Fuel Combustion – Highlights,” Paris, France: International Energy Agency, 2023.
World Health Organization (WHO), “Ambient Air Pollution: A Global Assessment,” Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2016.
A. Fishman and S. Cherry, “E-bikes in the mainstream: Reviewing a decade of research,” Transport Reviews, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 72–91, 2016.
S. Cherry, “Electric bikes and transportation policy,” Journal of Transport Geography, vol. 30, pp. 1–6, 2013.
J. Weinert et al., “The future of electric two-wheelers,” Energy Policy, vol. 36, no. 7, pp. 2544–2555, 2008.
M. Ehsani et al., Modern Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles, 2nd ed. CRC Press, 2018.
C. C. Chan, “The state of the art of electric and hybrid vehicles,” Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 95, no. 4, pp. 704–718, 2007.
S. R. Goud et al., "Solar-assisted electric bicycle," International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, vol. 6, no. 4, 2017.
M. S. Bhaskar and S. Padmanaban, “Design and analysis of solar-powered electric bicycle,” Renewable Energy Focus, vol. 29, pp. 23–34, 2019.
S. Lukic and A. Emadi, “Effects of regenerative braking,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1330–1338, 2004.
J. Cao et al., “Regenerative braking system for EVs,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 2258–2267, 2008.
R. Krishnan, Permanent Magnet Synchronous and Brushless DC Motor Drives. CRC Press, 2010.
P. Vas, Sensorless Vector and Direct Torque Control. Oxford University Press, 1998.
A. Khaligh and Z. Li, “Hybrid energy storage systems,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 59, no. 6, pp. 2806–2814, 2010.
