Electric-powered motorcycles

[volt.motors]

Hi all,

 

I've seen various electric-powered scramblers/motorcycles being manufactured in the US/Europe.

 

To name a few:

# QUANTYA

# ZERO Motorcycles

# BRAMMO

# MAVIZEN

# ZECO Scooters

 

You'll be surprised when you see their specifications, some have the ability to hit speeds of up to 120km/h or more! Personally, I feel that electric scooters may not appeal to the majority, but how about those of scrambler designs such as QUANTYA? or Sports bike design such as MAVIZEN?

 

http://image.dirtrider.com/f/16646402+w750+st0/141_0907_07_z+electric_bike_shootout+quantya_track_bike.jpg

 

 

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200911/mavizen-takes-the-wr_800x0w.jpg

 

 

 

WHY ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES?

=====================

 

Singapore is a prefect potential location for electric motorcycles. About 90% of vehicle users park their vehicles for around 22 hours a day; at home, office, shopping, and leisure. The stationary time can be easily used for charging of the

batteries. Moreover, on average, people ride approximately 40km a day mostly for commuting between home and work.

 

1) Environmental:

# Produce zero emissions at point of use

# No combustion; reduces pollution since it does not emit any exhaust gases - better for one's respiratory health (in particular to Singapore's highly-densed population)

# Electric motorcycles can use electricity from anywhere from grid, to sustainable energy resources (wind, sun, etc)

# Silent

 

2) Economical

# No need for a new power plant to be built; since electricity is available anywhere

# Over-night charging during off-peak hours/period (in Singapore's context - at night; when system wide demand for electricity is very low)

 

3) Reliability

# Electric motors have very few moving mechanical parts and do not need fluid such as engine oil, and transmission fluid. Hence, they require relatively low maintenance

# Quiet, smoother acceleration

 

 

 

So, what is your say in the presence of electric-powered bikes on Singapore's roads?

 

Regards,

Volt Motors

[Jehuty]

They don't sound like bikes, in fact they make almost no noise. Souless machine.

[volt.motors]

They don't sound like bikes, in fact they make almost no noise. Souless machine.

 

Opinions may differ. I agree, not all electric bikes produce no sound. In fact, they do while riding. However, while stationary, what's the need for "noise"? haha. Torque, acceleration, speed is what matters to a true rider.

 

\m/,

[Silent Hunter]

Current ones goes only to 70km/hr so nobody wants them since they cannot go onto the expressway.

If you can get some that can go to 150-180km/hr into SG, I am sure the market is there.

 

Just a thought, maybe road tax will be 0 since it is 0cc.

[volt.motors]

Current ones goes only to 70km/hr so nobody wants them since they cannot go onto the expressway.

If you can get some that can go to 150-180km/hr into SG, I am sure the market is there.

 

Just a thought, maybe road tax will be 0 since it is 0cc.

 

I argee bro. At current, there's only ZECO Scooters available; which you earlier mentioned, can only go at 70-80km/h.

I'm actually looking to do a project on building an electric motorcycle out of an off-road scrambler's framework. The catch is..

 

I have a potential idea of developing a prototype for an electric scrambler; one which doesn't require constant charging. In other words, while riding, the bike maintains a full charge of its batteries - distance won't be an issue. It is definitely possibly, just haven't seen any one coming up with a prototype. Hence, reducing the dependence to charge the bike. At present technology, we have power electronics such as super-capacitors to boost the acceleration on an e-bike, speed, rpm isn't an issue as there's gear ratio to the desired speed. Where cost is involved, I'm looking into the possibility of proposing to the government of tax rebate on electric cars/bikes. Take California for an example:

 

http://inhabitat.com/the-governator-offers-1500-rebate-for-electric-motorcycles/

 

The only issue is, I'm only lacking the financial support to carry out my potential ideas and plans. Perhaps, are there investor/s willing to sponsor and support the development of a potential business idea? I'm still a full-time student.

 

As for the Road Tax, that's a good idea! haha.

Maybe should suggest to PAP.

[Jehuty]

Opinions may differ. I agree, not all electric bikes produce no sound. In fact, they do while riding. However, while stationary, what's the need for "noise"? haha. Torque, acceleration, speed is what matters to a true rider.

 

\m/,

 

Many definitions for a 'true' rider, everyone has their own. I'm just saying they don't have character.

[volt.motors]

Check out these websites:

 

QUANTYA

 

ZERO Motorcycles

 

BRAMMO

 

MAVIZEN

[volt.motors]

Many definitions for a 'true' rider, everyone has their own. I'm just saying they don't have character.

 

I see.. (:

[Silent Hunter]

They don't sound like bikes, in fact they make almost no noise. Souless machine.

 

Current ones goes only to 70km/hr so nobody wants them since they cannot go onto the expressway.

If you can get some that can go to 150-180km/hr into SG, I am sure the market is there.

 

Just a thought, maybe road tax will be 0 since it is 0cc.

 

I wanted a really quiet sports bike when I was considering which bike to buy for my 2A but there were no electrical bikes available except that loust 70km/hr scooter.

So I took the quietest sports bike I could find. Hee! Hee!

 

You must look at my on line name then say leh...

 

The more quiet the more I like!

[volt.motors]

I wanted a really quiet sports bike when I was considering which bike to buy for my 2A but there were no electrical bikes available except that loust 70km/hr scooter.

So I took the quietest sports bike I could find. Hee! Hee!

 

You must look at my on line name then say leh...

 

The more quiet the more I like!

 

haha! what's your current ride?

[Silent Hunter]

Phantom TA200

DR BIG/Desert Express DR800

[cougar]

 

THis is my ideal electric bike, but dunno what happen after that. it didnt make it.

[GuiNNeSS]

There are plenty of such electric motorcycles around, especially in semi developing countries. They look like kup kias and are used for travelling between villages on lousy mud and pot holes infested roads.

 

If the Northern Thailand and even Cambodia people can ride them kup kia like scooters around such kinda scrambler recommended roads & mountains, why are we so particular about it having the form of a scrambler and that it makes sounds? (If you dont know what I am talking about. Do plan a trip to those outlaying areas for a holiday trip.) Due to inconsistent power supplies, these people with such motorcycles has generators at home that does the charging up when they gets home from work.

 

The problem for it to be easily available in Singapore, is a matter of charging it up. There is actually a couple of companies and people with the devices for installing at public car parks. The problem is getting the gahment to work together and allows such enterprenuers to operate such charging facilities and to allocate parking lots for such charging up of electric motorcycles.

 

And all electric motorcycles can go up to high speeds, the only issue is that our gahment are worried that its most paying citizens will kill ourselves on the road or maim ourselves and have to rely on welfare on them.

 

Look at the ironies about allowing cigarettes and petrol consuming vehicles in Singapore to understand their 'considerations' lah.

[volt.motors]

This is my ideal electric bike, but dunno what happen after that. it didnt make it.

 

Looks sweeet! Practically, best to have a pillion seat. haha

Unless, THAT bike is made for racing.

 

 

..And all electric motorcycles can go up to high speeds, the only issue is that our gahment are worried that its most paying citizens will kill ourselves on the road or maim ourselves and have to rely on welfare on them. ..

 

That's probably why the current only available electric scooter available in Singapore requires a Class 2A licence. hmm..

[d3vll]

i like that sport bike e-style. im all up for E bikes =0

[GuiNNeSS]

Besides, you need a landed property to properly 'charge' up your electric bike.

 

Which is why they have it as a 400cc......because probably the rich can afford it. And it wont go fast enough to kill them.

 

Killing young 2b bikers means they lose out on long term 'contributions'.

[cougar]

No lah, they are 'considering' how to make up for the shortfall from petrol prices if everybody starts going electric.

[volt.motors]

It will be a matter of time when the demand for such "green vehicles"; arises.

Natural resources depleting, earthquakes overseas, floodings, landslides, hurricanes, unpredictable weather conditions are all tell-tale signs of Earth's cry for help.

Hence, the importance and awareness of going green.

 

We have REC (Renewable Energy Corporation) in Singapore manufacturing solar panels. Even integrating solar panels to the grid, and commercially at shopping mall, industrial areas are SLOWLY picking up. Back to our topic, the presence of electric motorcycles would create awareness of going green. Singapore being a small nation; serves as a potential test-bed for electric vehicles.

[volt.motors]

Do google for TTXGP. May interests some of the readers here.

TTXGP is the Grand Prix for Electric (Sports) bikes.

[paiseh]

just yesterday i was chatting with my dad regarding electric vehicles... he told me the sound an engine produces cannot be replaced and so the 'fun' will be lost.

 

i told him that vehicles are created and such 'fun' is also defined by us. which means electric vehicles can also develop a kind of derived 'fun'.

 

he then mentioned about adrenaline rush induced when the engine hits certain note. a classic eg would be the sound a harley produces with its vtwin. this i had to agree. but because all these have been like that since the beginning and being accepted as the convention, it is not easy for drivers and riders who are so used to such sound (or noise) to accept electric vehicles.

[volt.motors]

Harley produces neither sound nor noise. It's music!

Haha. And it roars deeply too.

 

I've got to agree with u regards to the sound of bikes having "souls" have been accepted by many. Like what u mentioned as well, electric bikes can develop its own kind of fun too.

[Jehuty]

Yes, when a bike hits its powerband, its an adrenaline rush but people will probably go for practicality, its the same when they moved from 2 stroke to 4 stroke, they miss the feeling of 2Ts but time to move on, probably the same when move from 4 stroke to electric. But I think hybrid motors would have more success than pure electric motors.

 

How do they compare to standard superbikes?

Edited May 28, 2011 by Jehuty

[gohjohan]

Harley produces neither sound nor noise. It's music!

Haha. And it roars deeply too.

 

I've got to agree with u regards to the sound of bikes having "souls" have been accepted by many. Like what u mentioned as well, electric bikes can develop its own kind of fun too.

 

I agree with you. Sooner or later, someone sure will come out with a "fake sound" for electric bikes. As quoting from a previous issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine, I also don't like my bike to sound like an electric drill. I'll rather ride my bike than worry about hydrocarbons, especially when the footprint is small.

[gohjohan]

Harley produces neither sound nor noise. It's music!

Haha. And it roars deeply too.

 

I've got to agree with u regards to the sound of bikes having "souls" have been accepted by many. Like what u mentioned as well, electric bikes can develop its own kind of fun too.

 

I agree with you. Sooner or later, someone sure will come out with a "fake sound" for electric bikes. As quoting from a previous issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine, I also don't like my bike to sound like an electric drill. I'll rather ride my bike than worry about hydrocarbons, especially when the footprint is small.

[volt.motors]

Practicality have been on the rise, many uncles at my neighbourhood have downgraded thier bike from Phantom to Spark135/CBF150,kupchais, etc. I notice a handful of Suzuki DRZ400SM riders selling off their bikes to trade for a better 4-stroke bike with good fuel consumption too.

 

Hybrid motors are slowly progressing. Its much more expensive than electric bikes. Take for example, PEM Fuel Cell powered bikes/buses are powered by hydrogen. To extract hydrogen from air at present technology, it is still expensive. However, the by product for PEM fuel cell powered vehicles is H2O!(: another Hybrid would be the current CNG powered/hybrid cars/taxis; as seen on most roads in Singapore. However, the available stations to "top-up" gas into the CNG tanks are limited in Singapore. And not readiky accessible.

 

It all falls back to entrepreneurs and government working together to integrate more charging stations in Singapore; for a start, example, at Shopping malls, Leisure parks, workplaces - since electricity is practically available everywhere in Singapore.