Whether or not electric motorcycles are the future depends on many factors. There are several key considerations, including whether there will be sufficient infrastructure to support the use of electric motorcycles, whether the motorcycles themselves will be sustainable, and how affordable they will be.
Zero Motorcycles
Founded in 2006, Zero Motorcycles is the leading manufacturer of electric motorcycles. Its mission is to provide customers with a premium product line. They do so by utilizing their in-house developed power packs and components.
Zero's patented combination of technologies is a unique and highly reliable powertrain. The motor features an internal permanent magnet design. It has no forced air cooling and requires no routine maintenance. The battery pack features advanced lithium-ion cell chemistry.
Zero's Z-Force(r) power pack offers advanced battery management systems. It offers up to 200,000 miles of range at 80% of the original capacity. It is also a proven powertrain that is safe for aggressive off-road use.
Zero Motorcycles also offers a unique and robust operating system that combines all the motorcycle systems. This software manages power delivery, diagnostics, and battery management. It also allows riders to customise their bikes and track their performance.
Zero Motorcycles' flagship model is the SR/S. Its battery pack offers 21 kWh of power and a range of 365 km in the city. It offers a 140 pound-feet of torque and an electronically limited top speed of 120 mph.
Zero Motorcycles also offers the DSR/X. Its battery pack offers the most powerful battery of any Zero motorcycle. It also offers a range of +/-150 miles and 110 horsepower.
Native Cycles
Whether or not electric motorcycles are the future remains to be seen. But electric bikes are gaining traction among consumers. And the government is helping to make it happen.
There are several reasons for this. First, the government is supporting research and development of new battery technologies. That includes a federal tax credit. A few states are also providing incentives. Incentives such as these could advance the electric motorcycle industry.
The American Motorcycle Association has also supported the electric motorcycle industry. They have sponsored the Electric Motor Sports Competition.
The competition is a great way for manufacturers to test their electric bikes and see what works. The competition also helps to educate consumers on the technology. It also offers a chance to win hundreds of dollars off a brand new electric bike.
There are several electric motorcycle startups out there. Some have found the market and have been able to capitalize on it. Others have yet to catch the wave.
Among the top brands is Zero Motorcycles. It is largely backed by a private equity firm called Invus. The company has been around since 2006. The company has been able to survive the bumpy road of electric motorcycle competition. In fact, its products have outperformed most of their competition.
Tarform
Designed to be the future of motorcycling, Tarform electric motorcycles are built to be strong, beautiful and sustainable. Their design incorporates advanced innovations and is highly customizable. They have a futuristic aesthetic that pays homage to classic custom styles.
Tarform is based in Brooklyn, New York and is dedicated to design and technology. The company has been in business for about five years. Tarform was started by Swedish immigrant and bike enthusiast Erik Kravtchouk. He wanted to create an approachable motorcycle that would appeal to both bikers and newcomers. He started by researching alternative materials.
Tarform is built from biodegradable materials and uses plant-sourced materials. The body is made from an aluminium frame that has been hand-welded, and the seat is made from vegan leather. Unlike other motorcycle manufacturers, Tarform does not use synthetic materials like polyurethane.
The company has made good on their promise to reduce emissions and has also built a bike that is biodegradable. They have done this by using algae to replace toxic paint and primers.
The company also uses a customisable "soundtrack" that is designed to help riders adjust the sonic characteristics of the motorcycle to match their taste. This is a clever and useful feature from a safety standpoint.
Damon Hypersport Pro
Using state-of-the-art technology, the Damon HyperSport electric motorcycle has been designed to offer new features that are not available on other motorcycles. These include a new electric powertrain, a vehicle-to-home (V2H) feature, and a collision warning system.
Damon's HyperDrive powertrain is a monocoque-built, 100 percent electric powertrain that is optimized for performance. This new technology saves weight and enhances balance. It uses a purpose-shaped central battery casing.
The Shift ergonomic system allows riders to change the riding position, including the footpegs and handlebars. This allows Damon motorcycles to offer a full range of ergonomic adjustment.
The CoPilot safety system uses a variety of sensors, cameras, and AI to alert the rider of hazards in their path. The system also creates a virtual bubble of safety around the rider. This bubble is equipped with warning lights and haptic vibrations to help the rider recognize dangers in their path.
The Damon Intelligent Safety Ecosystem uses a plethora of LED lights to relay potential collision warning information to the rider. This system also uses a 360-degree sensor to detect objects around the motorcycle. These warnings are relayed to the rider through a windscreen that includes a full complement of LED lights.
Cake's Kalk OR
Designed to protect wildlife in Africa, CAKE Electric Motorcycles is developing a specially designed electric motorcycle for South Africa. The Kalk AP model was created in partnership with wildlife rangers and CAKE product team. It is designed to catch poachers and to help save endangered species. The bike features a solar panel kit and is silent.
The Kalk AP model uses a 50A / 2.6kWh battery and has a peak motor output of 11kW. It is designed to be silent and to be able to handle tough African terrain. It is a versatile off-road electric motorcycle that can reach a top speed of 56 mph / 90 kph. It is also designed to prevent overheating rangers. The bike features an upside down MX spring fork and a CAKE connectivity platform. It also features a 2100 lumen removable clamp-on headlight.
The bike weighs 176 pounds / 80 kg. It is built on a lightweight aluminum frame and has an updated gearing. It is also engineered from scratch. The battery is removable and can be replaced.
The bike comes with three riding modes. The "Explore" mode is designed for "exploration" and has a top speed of 28 mph. The "Excite" mode is for "active trail riding" and has a battery life of one to two hours.
Lithium-ion batteries
Compared with conventional lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are not only powerful but also have a high energy density. They are also safer and environmentally friendly. In addition, their self-discharge rate is much slower than lead-acid batteries.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been collaborating with Kyushu Electric Power Company on the development of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries since 1998. This partnership has resulted in the delivery of batteries for electric bus proving vehicles in Kyoto and Aomori.
The company completed its volume production proving plant in Nagasaki shipyard in November 2010. The plant will begin volume production in February 2011. Its capacity will increase to 1 million cells per month in the end of FY2011.
The Kashiwazaki plant is expected to reach a capacity of 2.5 to 3 million cells in the future. It will be able to supply lithium-ion batteries for the Toyota RAV4 EV and Tesla Motors.
Hitachi is also planning to increase its production capacity of automotive lithium-ion batteries. Its costs will be reduced by at least one-third. In addition, Hitachi's SCiB batteries will be suitable for electric motorcycles. They can be fully charged in 30 minutes with a quick charger.
Lithium-ion batteries are also being developed for industrial machines. They are expected to be used in wind-powered facilities and as emergency power sources.
Lack of charging infrastructure
Whether you are a rider or a manufacturer of electric motorcycles, you probably have been concerned about the lack of charging infrastructure. Riders complain that charging stations are not working properly and leave them stranded. Considering the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road, it is important to address this issue.
As the market grows, many countries have begun investing in vehicle charging infrastructure. India is one country taking this issue seriously. Its government has proposed free registration of electric vehicles.
As a result, many manufacturers have begun targeting the EV market. In India, 152 thousand electrically powered two wheelers were sold in 2019. This represents a 20.6% increase in the market from 2014. This figure reflects the growth of the electric vehicle market in India, but it also demonstrates that the market is still growing at a slower rate than many other countries.
The lack of charging infrastructure is also a significant barrier for the adoption of electric vehicles. According to a recent paper by Quectel, 66 million public charging stations will be required in the global market by 2030. This is not a realistic figure, however, and it is unlikely that the number of public charging stations will be equal in all countries.