Hub motor on the Easy Rider tricycle
What is the torque of the motor?
Hub motors (like Van Raam's motors) have a long lifespan. However, many e-bikes have a mid-drive motor, which always has a higher torque than the hub motor. However, you should not compare these torques one-to-one.
The power of the motor is called the torque, which is expressed in Newton metres (Nm). 10 Newton is equivalent to 1 kg. Suppose a motor has 100 Nm and you attach a 1-metre stick to the motor, it can lift 10 kg at the tip of the stick.
The torque of a hub motor is measured on the motor shaft, around which the motor rotates. With a mid-drive motor, the torque is measured on the crankshaft. This is why the motors cannot be compared one-to-one. Important to mention is that the torque is independent of the circumference of the wheel. So it does not matter for the torque whether the motor drives a large or a small wheel.