Electric Motorcycles
Electric motorcycles are a bit more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts, but they can save you money on fuel. Plus, they’re great for the environment!
But despite these advantages, the electric motorcycle industry has four major problems: range, performance, charge time and price. This article will discuss a few companies who have taken steps to address these issues.
Super Soco TC
The Super Soco TC is a small electric motorcycle that combines retro design with the latest technology. Its removable battery makes it easy to charge anywhere, and its light weight and quiet ride make it ideal for urban commuting. Its powerful hub motor can reach a top speed of 28mph and has a range of up to 45 miles per charge. It also has a large display that displays trip information, including current speed and remaining battery power.
The TC Max’s removable lithium battery pack weighs 22kg and has a capacity of 3.24 kWh. Although this doesn’t sound like a lot of battery capacity, it’s enough to keep you going for quite some time. You can also recharge it quickly using the included 10 amp fast charger. This bike’s battery is capable of 1500 charge cycles and has a two-year warranty.
You can choose from three power modes by sliding a switch on the handlebar. Mode 1 limits your top speed to 30mph, while mode 2 restricts it to 40mph and mode 3 unleashes the full power of the motor. The instrument cluster shows your remaining power level, and you can adjust the setting depending on your environment and riding style.
The Super Soco TC has impressive performance, especially when considering its price. It has a top speed of 40-50 mph, which is more than enough for city commuting. It’s also lightweight and has a beautiful retro design that will turn heads in the street. It also has low running costs, making it a great option for those on a budget.
Tarform Luna
Described by Brooklyn-based Tarform as “the cafe racer of the future,” the Luna is a two-seater that looks like it came off the set of Blade Runner. The bike features a 55-horsepower electric motor, a 10-kWh battery pack that the company says is good for 120 miles of range, and Ohlins suspension. It also uses sustainable materials including flax-seed weave and vegan leather to reinforce the body panels.
The Luna is one of several new electric motorcycles that are trying to bring back the heyday of the automobile. But what separates the Luna from its competition is that it’s 4 seater golf carts for sale built for upgradability and sustainability, something Tarform CEO and founder Taras Kravtchouk aims to push with every model.
He believes that “vehicles of tomorrow should be built to last, with the spirit of craftsmanship preserved. They should be designed for upgradability and not obsolescence.”
To that end, the Luna has a modular design that allows different components to be replaced or upgraded. For example, the battery can be swapped out for a bigger or smaller version without having to disassemble the entire vehicle. The Luna also comes with a 3.4-inch round HD display, wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, haptic blindspot detection, and keyless proximity starting. It has three ride modes, regenerative braking, and an “unique acoustic aura” that provides a sense of presence to the rider.
Fuell Fllow
FUELL Fllow is the latest brainchild of Erik Buell, the motorcycle engineer known for founding Buell Motorcycles. It’s designed to be a modular electric bike that can upgrade components as technology advances. The battery pack, rear wheel motor, and fast charging socket are all easily swappable parts.
It packs a high-capacity 10 kWh lithium-ion battery that enables an urban range of 150 miles or 240 kilometers on a single charge. While this might not get you to the highway at full speed, the company says it was designed primarily as an efficient electric commuter rather than as a replacement for a gas-powered tourer.
Placing the motor inside the rear wheel also opened space in the magnesium frame for a 1.5-gallon storage compartment large enough to hold a bag and full-face helmet. A digital dashboard interfaces with a smartphone app to track key bike metrics and provide additional features like collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and navigation.
A patent-pending braking system with ABS is integrated with the wheel motor, and advanced electronic safety features include a front and rear camera Electric Motorcycles as well as a centralized display for driver alerts. An over-the-air update will offer a suite of additional functionality including navigation and other apps, so it’s easy to keep up with the latest tech on your e-motorcycle.
Pierer Mobility E-Duke
KTM fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of an electric Duke, and parent company Pierer Mobility has confirmed that the bike is in development. The company’s recent investor presentation revealed that the E-Duke will use the same powertrain as the Husqvarna E-Pilen Concept unveiled last April, featuring a 5.5 kWh fixed battery and 10kW of motor power (nominal).
With this setup, both the E-Duke and E-Pilen are expected to deliver performance similar to a 125cc gas motorcycle. That may not sound impressive compared to the Zeros, Energicas, and LiveWires of the world, but Pierer is targeting this niche segment of low-powered electric two-wheelers in order to gain a foothold in the growing market.
The E-Duke is also set to offer the same rider aids as its gas counterpart, including ride-by-wire throttle and a slipper clutch. This will make it easier for riders to adapt to an electric bike, especially if they’re used to riding a traditional bike.
Interestingly, Pierer’s investor presentation revealed that the existing European motorcycle and scooter market will become 50% electric in the 50-125cc range on short distances within the next decade. However, for longer rides and higher performance, Pierer believes that EVs will need to be combined with fuel cells to provide enough range. This could be good news for petrol junkies, as it means the world’s best motorcycle manufacturers will continue to produce a mix of bikes that cater to different riding styles.