Bafang’s new electric bike motors produce 8x your own pedaling power

This news is about e-bike motors, not home energy upgrades, so it doesn't affect your house or any rebate program. Still, here's what happened: Bafang, a maker of electric bike motors, unveiled two new high-powered motors for electric mountain bikes, the M510RS and M560RS. They're built for off-road riding on steep, technical trails, not commuter bikes or bike lanes.

The numbers are big. The M560RS can hit 1,700 watts of peak power and 150 Newton-meters of torque (a measure of turning force), with a temporary "boost" mode that lets the motor contribute up to eight times the rider's own pedaling effort. For comparison, typical commuter e-bikes use motors around 350 to 500 watts. The motors use motion sensors and pedaling-force sensors to adjust power output in real time, and Bafang says they react faster and cut power more precisely than its older motors. Both new motors fit the same bike frames as Bafang's existing models, so bike makers won't need new designs to use them.

These motors are far above the power limits allowed for regular electric bicycles on public roads or bike lanes in most countries. They're intended specifically for off-road mountain biking, where the extra power helps riders climb steep, loose terrain. The motors are expected to appear on production bikes later this year, following their debut at a bike show in Italy in September.