OKAI Releases Over-The-Air Update That Increases Top Speed By Over 50%

The Okai Ranger (the 1000-watt, fat tire ebike released earlier this year by OKAI) just got an over-the-air update that makes it 50% faster than before. Now dubbed the Okai EB50, this cutting-edge model can now reach a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour (mph) with pedal assist. Before the update, the ebike had a still impressive top speed of 20 mph. The software update can simply be downloaded from the OKAI smartphone app that works with the ebike. In fact, the rise in multi-functional apps and innovative software features is a trend increasingly embraced by ebike companies as they look for new ways to offer improved ride performance and set themselves apart from the competition.

No longer a Class 2 ebike

The Okai EB50 has an impressive 750-watt Bafang motor that generates as much as 1000 watts of peak output. Despite the new maximum speed of 28 miles per hour, OKAI has reported that some users have been able to reach greater speeds of up to 31 miles per hour on a fully-charged battery. These high speeds can also only be reached on throttle only (meaning riders don’t have to pedal).

When it comes to the dynamics concerning how electric bike motor works, most ebikes come with motors powered specifically from the pack voltage. A higher charge, therefore, generates a higher RPM (which essentially measures the speed of the bike). In contrast to most larger electric vehicles that regulate the voltage to ensure smooth and efficient operation, ebikes typically use the voltage in the pack to power both their motor controllers and motors. As a result, greater engine speeds can be reached at higher charge levels, while the maximum available speed also gradually declines as the battery loses its charge.

Interestingly, with the new update, the Okai EB50 no longer falls into any of the three designated ebike classes — which may end up potentially posing regulatory issues later down the line. Class 3 ebikes rely on the pedal assist feature to reach speeds between 20-28 mph. Since the Okai EB50 can reach these speeds with just its throttle, it falls outside the Class 3 category.

Innovative and powerful design

The Okai EB50 is a powerful ebike able to support an impressive maximum weight of up to 330 lbs, while still being able to successfully climb up the steepest of hills. It also has an ample range of 45 miles on a single charge. But that’s not all this model has to offer. The Okai EB50 is also packed with innovative features designed to improve the riding experience. The NFC-enabled key card, for example, ensures riders have a secure method of locking and unlocking the ebike. It also comes with a comprehensive app, which can also be used to lock and unlock the ebike, therefore eliminating the need to carry the key card altogether. Over-the-air updates are also automatically delivered via the app to further enhance the ebike’s abilities and performance.

It’s no secret advancements in hardware are usually time-consuming to develop and rarely come cheap. Ebike businesses (particularly businesses that largely use OEM parts commonly used in many other ebikes on the market) are therefore increasingly turning to cutting-edge innovations in software and other tech-related features to set themselves apart from the competition. As the need to purchase new software updates in order to boost the performance of our ebikes is anticipated to soon become the norm, this growing trend will likely end up shaping the future of the electric vehicle industry as a whole.