The Electric Motor Vehicle Company

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Guidelines

EMVC — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 23:17:17 +0000

An article by Alex de Boer, Owner, The Electric Motor Vehicle Company
October 2025

This information is for the EMVC Lithium Iron Phosphate 9.6 kWh LiFePO₄ battery.
It is important to know how to handle the battery, which is the single most expensive component of an electric vehicle, to assist in prolonging the battery’s life.

The energy transfer is a chemical process shown as follows:

Charged: LiC₆ (-post) + FePO₄ + Li⁺+ e^– (+post)

↔ C₆ Li⁺ + e^– (-post) + LiFePO₄ (+post) :Discharged

The lithium ion ( + ) charged moves from the positive post to the negative post when electrons are moved from the same positive post to the negative battery post during charging. Discharging is using electricity from the battery.

Charging slows down (trickle charge) when the battery is nearly fully charged (above 80%) to stop electrons (e^–) being plucked from the cathode(+) with no matching ions on the anode(-) to match. This could damage the terminals.

If running the vehicle aggressively (demanding a lot of current) electrons can get stripped from the anode material (graphene C₆). Therefore the space reduces and the graphene can no longer store as many Lithium ions. This reduces the State of Health (SOH) and cannot be recovered.

The above “charging” is a chemical process that is not voluntary. Electrons + Lithium ions must be “pushed” from the positive post to the negative post which uses energy. This comes from two sources:

electricity supply (mains power) via the charger
regeneration during deceleration of the electric motor

Regeneration is only about 20% of the energy used up. Therefore it is important to try not to use the brakes and let the regeneration force do the braking.
The EV battery will also degrade faster at high temperatures. 20^oC is the optimum temperature.
Heat can also delaminate the Carbon (C) in the anode (-). The detached carbon does not contribute to the battery capacity therefore lowering the SOH.
Also a very cold battery does not “want” to charge or discharge – that is why EMVC adds a blanket to hold the battery temperature between 0^oC and 5^oC during cold weather.
Voltage Curve

Fast acceleration of the vehicle or expecting the electric motor to work hard (by say pulling heavy loads in a high gear or going up hills in a high gear) pulls a lot of amps from the battery which builds up heat. Driving by using 300amps or more should be minimised / avoided as over time this would reduce the battery SOH more quickly.

EMVC Battery Composition

The Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC) Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO₄ 9.6 kWh battery is made up of 32 individual battery cells and a battery management system all housed in a purpose built stainless steel case to form one large battery. This is a sealed unit and should not be opened.

A phone app is available which connects by WiFi to interrogate the battery if faults occur or to set battery parameters.

Each battery cell has copper M8 stud terminals with bus bar connectors in series and/or parallel to form one large battery.

The cells are prismatic aluminium with terminal covers to prevent short circuits. Each cell also has a safety valve outlet. Each cell is separated by a space for better air circulation.

Each cell has a nominal voltage of 3.2V and is assembled into a pack to operate at 48V.

A fully charged cell is 3.65V and at the end of the discharge it is 2.2V. This measures the amount of usable energy capacity. Each cell has a capacity of 102Ah. The full battery can deliver 9.6 kWh of energy capacity.

The battery should only be discharged to 20% of its capacity. The vehicle will still operate below this capacity but may enter a “limp mode” to conserve energy.

Charging

A There are 2 steps to fully charge the battery:

Constant current (CC) to reach 60% of State of Charge (SOC)
When the charge voltage reaches 3.65V (the upper limit of effective charge voltage) the charging changes to constant voltage (CV). At this point the charge current is limited by what the cell will accept at that voltage, so the charging current steps down.

B When the weather conditions are cold ( freezing or below ) do not store the Hisun with a low charge. At -20^oC an empty battery may freeze. Keep it on charge during this time as this produces heat. Using the Hisun in cold weather is never an issue as the battery produces heat when in use. However you may notice a reduction in the usable range.

Also when not using the Hisun for long periods ( a month or more ) store it charged to 90% or more. This prevents the possibility of freezing . Also batteries lose a small amount of charge over time so topping up the charge occasionally is good for the battery.

An over voltage can be applied to LiFePO₄ without decomposing the electrolyte. It can be charged by CC to reach 95% SOC and by CC + CV to reach 100% SOC.

Self Balancing

LiFePO₄ cells in a battery pack in series cannot balance each other during charging.

This is because the charger current stops flowing when the cell is full.

Therefore EMVC have added a “self balancing” control board to the battery management. This allows the battery to use 1 amp of its own power (even when the key is off) to balance individual cells until they all reach the same charge – about 3.65V.

If the battery is used each day with all the cells starting at the same voltage the range available will be greater and the battery life will be longer.

When the battery is in use some cells can be more “lazy” and they won’t all discharge at the same rate. The battery can be charged whenever not in use (smokos, miking etc.) as this will increase the range available and LiFePO₄ cells are not adversely affected by this. However these “short” charges will not rebalance the cells. Eventually (in days or weeks depending on the amount of use) the voltage difference between any 2 cells could exceed 0.5V and to protect itself the battery will switch off until this issue is rectified.

Therefore it is important that when possible (usually at night) the battery gets a full charge to SOC 100%. This can be seen when the charger LED displays a constant green light. This also allows the self balancer to equalise the cell voltages again.

Interesting facts:

the gravimetric energy density of Lithium is 130 Wh/kg compared to lead-acid’s 35 Wh/kg (4 x greater)
LiFePO₄ runs better at elevated temperatures due to higher Lithium ionic conductivity.

EMVC at Manuherekia – 10 Oct

EMVC — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 22:07:33 +0000

We will be at the “Agritech in Manuherekia” event on Friday 10 Oct.
Come see us where we will have one of our electric Hisun UTVs (side by side) available for test drives, and a fun and robust electric off-road scooter.

Spring Sale 2025

EMVC — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 02:34:41 +0000

Winter 2025 Update from EMVC: New E-Bikes, UTV Upgrades & Battery Breakthroughs

EMVC — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 22:52:11 +0000

Winter Specials & Innovation from The Electric Motor Vehicle Company

Published: July 2025 | As featured in the Southland Express

For several years now, The Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC) has been offering its own range of e-bikes under the GeoByke brand — built with large-capacity batteries for long range and powerful motors to conquer Southland and Central Otago’s growing network of trails.

These bikes make it easier for older riders and first-timers to enjoy the outdoors with family or even commute to work without relying on a car. The current lineup includes 12 models — from trikes and folding bikes to cargo models, twin battery cruisers, and full-suspension mountain bikes. More models are being added as demand grows.

✅ Winter Specials Now Available

EMVC is currently running winter promotions to help riders gear up before spring. It’s the perfect time to explore electric transport options for both recreation and daily use.

???? HISUN Electric UTVs for Farm & Commercial Use

Another major development is EMVC’s exclusive New Zealand agency for HISUN’s electric 4WD UTV range, ideal for farms, orchards, vineyards, lifestyle blocks, and tourism businesses. These quiet, powerful vehicles run all day on a single charge and can reduce emissions by up to 10 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

Winter special pricing starts at $19,995 + GST, with custom options available to suit your needs. View specifications at www.electricmv.co.nz.

???? In-House Lithium Battery Innovation

EMVC now manufactures its own modular Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries. These stainless steel-cased units are maintenance-free, outlast the vehicle (10–15 years), and can be scaled to deliver over 160 km of range. They’re also hot-swappable — perfect for reducing downtime in the field.

These batteries are now being adapted for off-grid solar and wind storage too, helping Kiwis become more energy independent.

???? Explore the Full GeoByke Range

From folding commuter bikes and trail-ready cruisers to e-trikes and cargo haulers, there’s a GeoByke for every rider and purpose. While EMVC maintains a showroom display at Invercargill Central Mall, all test rides and purchases are handled at the main location:

279 Dee Street (corner of Fox Street), Invercargill

See the full lineup here: https://geobyke.nz/pages/bikes

Original article provided by the Southland Express. Content updated by The Electric Motor Vehicle Company.

Which GeoByke Is Right for Me?

EMVC — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:32:21 +0000

???? Which GeoByke Is Right for Me?

Discover the perfect e‑bike for your lifestyle. Whether you’re commuting, adventuring, or going on family rides—there’s a GeoByke designed just for you.

1. Daily Commuter ????

Models:
Cruiser High Step 29 &
Cruiser Low Step 29
With a powerful 750 W motor, 840 Wh battery, and SRAM 10-speed gearing, both deliver a smooth ride for daily commuting and weekend escapes. Opt for the High Step if you prefer a traditional frame, or pick the Low Step for easier mounting.

2. Adventure & Trail Riding

Model:
All Trail Full Suspension
Equipped with a 750 W mid-drive motor, dual suspension, and an 840 Wh battery, this bike is ready to dominate rail trails, back-country paths, and technical terrain.

3. Compact & Travel-Friendly

Model:
Folding E‑Bike (20″)
Ideal for campervans, car boots, or small storage spaces. It folds easily and features 20 × 4.0″ tyres, a 500 W motor, and a 624 Wh battery—portable, trail-ready, and convenient.

4. Family & Cargo Hauling

Model:
Cargo E‑Bike
Built to carry up to two children or hefty deliveries. Comes with steel guards, strong brakes, and an optional dual battery setup—perfect for both families and small businesses.

5. Two‑Person Rides

Model:
Tandem 26 Dual Battery
Featuring dual batteries, a step-through frame, and reliable gearing—ideal for couples, friends, or rental operations on flatter trails.

6. Stability & Comfort

Model:
E‑Trike 20″
A stable three-wheel design with front and rear baskets. Perfect for riders needing better balance, lots of storage, or extra safety for shorter trips.

7. Chill & Comfy Riding

Model:
Comfy E‑Bike
Features a gel seat, swept-back handlebars, and fat 26 × 4″ tyres — delivering a relaxed riding experience over grass, gravel, or beachside tracks. The rear hub motor provides smooth assistance without the complexity of a mid-drive — perfect for comfort-first riders.

???? Choosing Tips

What You’re Looking For	Key Features to Consider	GeoByke Models
Travel-friendly & compact	Folding frame, easy storage	Folding E‑Bike
Hauling cargo or kids	Strong brakes, rear rack, dual batteries	Cargo E‑Bike, Tandem
Trail-ready and adventurous	Suspension, off-road tyres, mid-drive	All Trail
Extra stability	Three wheels, step-through frame	E‑Trike
Maximum range	Dual-battery setup	Trail Bike Dual Battery

???? Try Before You Buy

Visit us at 279 Dee Street, Invercargill for a test ride or expert advice.
Prefer browsing online? Check full specs, pricing, and availability at
GeoByke.nz.

✅ Final Thoughts

Whether you value range, power, portability, or comfort—there’s a GeoByke just for you.
Need help deciding? Contact the team or pop in-store — we’re here to get you rolling with confidence.

Exciting Developments at The Electric Motor Vehicle Company

EMVC — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 02:25:36 +0000

Exciting Developments at The Electric Motor Vehicle Company
Great Winter Specials Now On Offer

Six years ago, Alex de Boer was working full-time in Invercargill, offering financial advice. He kept hearing the call for everyone to take ownership and help reduce New Zealand’s carbon footprint. With 40% of emissions attributed to the transport sector, a transition to electric vehicles was clearly needed.

As an engineer, Alex understood the scale of the challenge.

“This shift is even bigger than the introduction of the internet — and look how important that has become in our lives,” he says.

Motivated to be part of the solution, Alex founded The Electric Motor Vehicle Company Ltd (EMV). His goal: to help people demystify electric transport and embrace this transition.

Regardless of personal views on climate change, the shift to electric vehicles was inevitable.

“Fossil fuels are neither sustainable nor healthy long-term. All technology is going digital, and electricity is the foundation. Vehicles will eventually become self-driving,” says Alex.

Helping Southland Transition to Electric

EMV began by importing late-model, low-kilometre electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles from Japan.

However, uptake in New Zealand has been slow compared to other countries:

???????? 97% of cars sold in Norway last year were electric
???????? Over 50% of vehicles in China are now electric — helping combat pollution

“The NZ market will catch up as manufacturers continue their transition,” Alex believes.

Introducing GEOBYKE: E-Bikes for All Adventures

Another exciting initiative from EMV is the development of their own e-bike range — GEOBYKE. These bikes are designed for:

Long-range riding with large-capacity batteries
Handling rugged Southland and Central Otago trails
Older riders and families enjoying the outdoors
Commuters wanting to leave the car at home

HISUN UTVs: Clean, Quiet, Powerful Farm Vehicles

EMV has also introduced a range of HISUN 4WD UTVs, ideal for:

Farms
Orchards
Vineyards
Lifestyle blocks

Features include:

✅ Extremely quiet
✅ Full day operation on one charge
✅ Eco-friendly (reduces up to 10 tonnes of CO₂ annually)

Winter Special Price: Starting from $19,995
Customisation options available to suit your needs.

Advanced Lithium Battery Systems — Built In-House

One of EMV’s most innovative developments is their in-house production of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries:

???? Maintenance-free
???? Outlast the vehicle
???? Stainless steel, modular casing
???? Expandable for ranges over 160km
???? Can power remote huts, cabins, or workstations

These batteries are also perfect for:

Solar storage
Wind power systems
Off-grid living

Visit Us to See What’s New

We invite you to visit EMV and experience these exciting developments firsthand.

Whether you’re looking for:

An electric car
A GEOBYKE
A HISUN UTV
Or a clean energy solution

We’re here to help drive your electric future forward.

Geobyke Extends Range of E-Bikes for Trail, Road & Business

EMVC — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:53:37 +0000

Geobyke Extends Range of E-Bikes for Trail, Road & Business

The Electric Motor Vehicle Company’s e-bike division, Geobyke, has expanded its lineup to suit a broader range of riders — from individuals and families to businesses.

Geobyke continues to focus on delivering the longest range, powerful assistance, and outstanding value.

????‍♂️ Dual Battery Model for All-Day Riding

This new model offers a range of over 140 km — perfect for full-day trail rides without needing a recharge. It’s also ideal for rental operators wanting reliable long-distance performance.

????‍????‍???? 20-Inch Low-Step E-Bike for Kids and Smaller Adults

Designed for smaller adults or children aged 8–14, this model features a 20-inch wheel, plus adjustable seat and handlebar heights. It can also suit taller riders, offering maximum flexibility for rentals and family use.

???? Compact Folding E-Bike (Now in Low-Step)

We’ve added a low-step version of our popular folding 20-inch e-bike. It’s perfect for campervans, car boots, or the back seat — great for travel, quick errands, or trail fun.

???? New Cargo E-Bike

Our cargo model is ideal for:

Carrying up to two children in special safety seats
Use by businesses to deliver goods, meals, or supplies

These bikes are hugely popular in Europe and California, and now available in Southland.

???? Tandem E-Bike

Ride together with our new 2-person tandem e-bike, featuring dual batteries. Great for couples or friends wanting to share the journey and stay closer on the trail. A smart addition for flat-terrain rental fleets.

???? Geobyke E-Trike

Our electric trike is gaining popularity quickly — offering comfort, safety, and ease of use for riders of all ages.

???? Visit Our Display Space in Invercargill

You can view all Geobyke models at our new display space in the Invercargill City Mall, located opposite Westpac Bank and Ottos.

While the space is only occasionally manned, the bikes are clearly visible through the windows — beautifully laid out and well-lit inside the showroom. Two large screens continuously display details about our models so you can learn more at any time.

???? Test Rides & Purchases

Come see us at our main showroom:

279 Dee Street (corner of Fox Street), Invercargill

We look forward to seeing you!

Geobyke winner

EMVC — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:51:43 +0000

A lucky Christmas draw turned up an exceptionally lovely prize for Bluff’s Jennifer Kapene, who won the Geobyke giveaway.

Store owner Alex de Boer said his new electric bike store, Geobyke, based in Invercargill Central, was the sole New Zealand distributor of the specially imported electric bikes.

Geobyke had worked directly with the manufacturer to specifically design the bikes to meet New Zealand road and trail conditions, Mr de Boer said.

Invercargill Central Geobyke store manager Josh Haggerty welcomes all inquiries regarding any of the products it has available.

Southland-designed ebikes available for shoppers

EMVC — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:49:41 +0000

The Electric Motor Vehicle Company is hoping to make its electric bikes more accessible to Southlanders with a new retail store in Invercargill Central.

Managing director and engineer Alex de Boer has designed the Geobyke as a more affordable ebike option, better suited to Southland conditions.

And while the bikes’ components are manufactured in China, they are assembled in Invercargill.

But the company’s Avenal location was somewhat out of the way, de Boer said, and he wanted to bring the bikes closer to shoppers.

The new location also puts him in close proximity to hotels, making it easy for tourists to pick up rentals.

“We’ve got bikes for every occasion, as long as it’s electric,” de Boer said, “and there’s more variety on the way.”

The storefront – in the space that used to house the Toot Sweets pop-up store – had been done up in mossy green, but de Boer chose bright colours for some of his bikes.

“You want to show off something you’re proud of,” he said.

Along the walls, shoppers could see maps for some of the cycling trails around Southland.

The Geobyke store would be managed by former Torpedo 7 manager and former professional cyclist Joshua Haggerty who would be able to discuss buyers’ requirements to help them choose a bike.

The bikes, De Boer said, had a range of about 80km, depending on the power needed.

“So if you have to go up a hill, you’ve got the grunt to do so.”

The Electric Motor Vehicle Company started off selling already imported ebikes alongside its cars and UTVs, but De Boer said he often couldn’t pinpoint the bikes’ specs or reliability.

“I found that so frustrating.”

So being an engineer, he set about designing a bike himself, with features like using easy to source, common parts to make replacing spares easy and sustainable.

Now he was working on a lithium ion battery specifically for farms with a stainless steel box that can’t be punctured and won’t be susceptible to corrosive substances such as animal urine.

“If a battery fails for some reason, we can take it apart and fix it within 30 minutes,” De Boer said.

He was also working with solar and wind energy installers who could use the batteries during down times.

“In a modern age, companies like ours need to think outside the square,” he said.

His commitment to sustainability even extends to everyday business practice with the store being completely paperless.

“For an old bugger like me, it’s hard to pull me into,” de Boer joked.

Finally electric motorbikes that have it all!

EMVC — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:47:18 +0000

Introducing the SURRON ULTRA BEE X electric dirk bike. A groundbreaking innovation, and a monumental accomplishment in the world of electric off road motorcycling. Drawing from the knowledge acquired through the development of the existing Bee Series and years of racing experience the Surron Ultra Bee is set to revolutionize the electric off-road adventure.

Weighing only 85 kg with a 6kw motor developing 440N.m of torque and reaching 90km/h the acceleration is instant easy to wheel stand !

The 74V lithium ion battery delivers great power and combined with 4.07KWh of capacity gives a driving range of 104 km at 55km/h.

There is the option of a trail version or a road version.

At only 20% of the price of the SURRON we have the KUGOO WISH electric motorbike to suit younger members of the family so they can join in the off road adventures. This power packed performer features:

A rear hub-mounted 3 KW motor
A 48V lithium-ion battery with 768-watt capacity
A top speed of 55km/h
Disc brakes
40-50 km range.

The Electric Motor Vehicle Company Ltd have the SURRON and KUGOO in stock and spare parts are available ex Christchurch and Auckland delivered via courier as required. The other versions of the bike can be obtained at short notice.

“ The Electric Motor Vehicle Company Ltd specializes in E- Mobility and offers electric and hybrid cars, E-Bikes, E- Scooters, and Hisun off-road UTVs and not having a great electric motor bike has always left a hole in our ability to offer our clients a full range to meet their mobility needs,” says Mr Alex de Boer , Managing Director. “ We did have a Surron for a short time but the model was too small and the availability was not well established. Now there is a strong importer to ensure stock and parts availability we feel more confident to promote it to our clients. “

The Surron combined with the smaller and much cheaper Kugoo Wish is a great buy for the life style block or great off road fun for the family.