Blue Sky Design BugE, Owner'S Manual

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11
Performance
Under ideal conditions the BugE may go over 30 miles. However like automobile
mileage estimates, there are many factors that can affect range.
Factors that reduce range are:
• Cold weather will reduce the batteries ability to deliver power.
•
Older batteries will not be able to produce as much power.
•
Partially discharged batteries will not have as much power in them.
• Windy conditions will create more air resistance.
• Hills will put a huge load on the motor and batteries.
• Stop and go traffic will tax the batteries by requiring lots of starts.
• Rapid acceleration and high speed will reduce range significantly.
• Heavy payloads will require more energy, reducing range.
The BugE is a very efficient vehicle. It is lightweight which requires less energy to
move, the fairing is very aerodynamic reducing the air resistance and the tires
create very little rolling resistance.
However, how you drive will have a big influence on your range.
The best techniques for increasing range are:
• Fully charging the batteries.
•
Properly inflated tires (35 psi)
• Gentle acceleration
• Slower speeds
•
Properly inflated tires
•
Carrying light loads.
• Coasting down to stops
• Coasting down small hills.
WARNING: Never coast down a long hill or allow the BugE to pick up
speed beyond what it could attain under power on flat terrain.
Excess speed down hills can over heat the brakes and dramatically
increase braking distances!
Loss of control could result in serious injury or death.
NOTICE: High speed (55+ mph) even if coasting down hill can
destroy the motor by exceeding its rpm limit.