The Electric Motorcycle

The current trend in automotive technology is toward all electric motors.  With zero on board emissions and max drive ranges increasing every year the electric motor is quickly being recognized as the future of automotive technology. 

However, four wheeled vehicles do not represent all of traffic that passes over our streets and highways.  There is a large motorcycle culture in America that stretches from coast to coast.  The question I had was how electric motors fit in to this motorcycle culture.

Currently there are several all electric motorcycle manufactures in the world that are retooling their design processes and fabrication methods to accommodate a growing demand for all electric motorcycles.

ZERO Motorcycles is one such manufacturer that specializes in off road performance and lightweight street motorcycles.  ZERO’s 2011 line offers serious performance and range upgrades that will thrust them onto the international stage.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/zero-overhauls-all-electric-motorcycle-product-line/?src=mv

When you compare all electric motorcycles with gas engine motorcycles there are some notable differences.  Electric bikes have a much smaller range, 50 to 70 miles, versus the gas variety (150 to 200 miles).  Electric motorcycles also tend to have a much slower top speed of 40 to 70 mph versus gas (80 to 120).  There are performance models that have achieved speeds in the 120 to 170 mph range, but these are not off the shelf models for consumers.  The third issue is recharge time.  Typically it takes about 4 hours to charge an electric motorcycle versus the quick fill up at the station.  However, ZERO has introduced a quick charge system to its 2011 line that can charge in 2.3 hours.  While this doesn’t approach the speed of fill for gasoline engines, it does represent a trend in the technology that is promising.

http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/zero-motorcycles-debuts-2011-lineup-quick-charge-electric-models/14196/

Electric motorcycle prices can range from $5,000 to $15,000 dollars which does not represent an advantage or disadvantage over gas bikes.

Of course you could always convert your own as the GOMI team has done in the linked video.

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Convert-a-Honda-from-Gas-to-Electric-41754014

Bottom line, electric motorcycles still have a ways to go before they are competitive with gas powered models.  But, with electric motor and battery tech on the move we may soon see (not hear) a whole new generation of motorcycles enthusiasts taking to our highways emission free.

Ben Wutzke