The Ecofriend website reports that industrial designer Juan Sebastián Orozco Herrera has created a green motorcycle dubbed Audi EB1, which has all what it needs to be a zero-emission superbike. The motorcycle is based on a carbon-fiber chassis to reduce weight and get the most out of the onboard batteries.
There’s not a lot of text at this page, but quite a few cool photos.
See all the photos at : Eco Motorcycles: Audi EB1 concept superbike roars on electric power
Now is the time to buy an electric motorcycle.
Zero Motorcycles announced on October 8 that they are the first e-cycle company that meets all US and Canadian safety standards. They have also passed EPA certification, which allows their bikes to qualify for major federal tax credits of 10% of the purchase price, as well as a state sales tax credit.
The base price of both the 2009 Zero S and DS is $9,950. Purchasers can now claim a tax credit of $995, when they file. They can now also claim whatever state sales tax amount is paid for the Zero bike on their federal tax return.
Source:
Zero S and DS Electric Motorcycles are Now $1,000 Cheaper
Colorado — Chris Ravanna, owner of Blindspot Cycles, makes custom-made zero-emission electric motorcycles from salvaged bikes.
“Today we are kind of in a disposable society,” Ravana pointed out. “To recycle is the ultimate green.”
He also says: “I don’t like killing bikes. I want to keep bikes on the road.” To that end he reuses as much of the motorcycles as possible. “I’m trying to keep the bikes as realistic as possible.”
To read of some of his creations, check out Motorcycle shop builds zero-emission electric motorcycles from salvaged bikes
The European TwoWheel Retail Association is receiving input from the industry on rules and regulation changes relating to electric bikes.
The European Commission is going to produce a first draft of “suitable laws” to govern the industry by November.
Between now and then, ETRA requires the support of the industry and a consensus on how the type-approval should be reviewed for electric bicycles.
Of particular interest are the trade’s thoughts on:
1) Are the 250 W and 25 km/h limitations the most appropriate specifications for excluding vehicles from the type-approval, thus classifying them as bicycles?
2) Is the type-approval procedure for mopeds and motorcycles the most appropriate homologation procedure for electric bikes not excluded from type-approval?
An ETRA press release states: “The European Twowheel Retailers’ Association is prepared to defend and further the interests of the electric bike industry.
Lexington, Ohio — On the weekend of July 24-26 the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days were held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It was a special event in more ways than one – the American Motorcyclist Association has been celebrating its 85th anniversary all year.
In addition, the TTXGP/eGrandPrix electric motorcycle racing series officially launched in the U.S. Seven teams attended this event, although only four of them rode an ecycle on the track. These were exhibition rides rather than official races.
Present were Mission Motors, Electric Motorsport, Red Valley Motorsport, James Madison University with their historic Norton Electra, Enertrac, Schultz Engineering, and CBXMan Motorcycles.
The Zero DS, a dual-sport electric motorcycle, has just been released by Zero Motorcycles. It’s a street-legal Zero version of its street-only predecessor, the Zero S, but also has the off-road capability of the Zero X motocross.
“The Zero DS is designed for those who want the freedom to ride wherever they want,” said CEO Gene Banman in a press release. “Take a new route into the office. Bypass the ordinary. Blast down a gravel road or a dusty trail. When you’re ready, silently pass from the sublime to the civilized as you arrive at your destination.”
Here’s the link to read more about the Zero DS, and see a video:
Las Vegas, NV — Zero produces their e-motorcycles in the U.S. while Quantya is based in Switzerland. Both cycles met in May, 2009 in a a head to head in a competition to see which one would hold the title of the fastest electric motorcycle in the motorcross category.
The special event for the two electric bikes took place as part of the halftime show at the AMA Maxxis MiniMotor Supercross race, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The winner was the Quantya Track. Each company had 5 bikes in the competition. Quantya places in first and second while Zero’s best finish was third.
Zero has already released their Zero S street bike, and Quantya is getting their version for street use ready.
The race marked the first time in history that any two electric motorcycle manufacturers were on the same track together for head to head competition.
In the last few years, the people of China have been experiencing a widespread increase in per capita income. Rather than purchasing cars, the majority of people have been purchasing electric bikes.
Twenty-one million electric bikes were purchased in China in 2008, compared with just under ten million cars.
E-bike models typically cost around $300 US. Because the bikes are practically silent and emit no odors (let alone pollution), they are popular alternatives to motor scooters and motorcycles.
Motorcycles and other variants on small personal transportation units are popular in China as well, and allow riders to go at a higher speed. In order to combat this need for speed, the government has imposed taxes and fees which result in a significant cost difference. Most people therefore opt for the more inexpensive option.
Recently, battery giant Advanced Battery Tech (ABAT) acquired e-bike manufacturer Wuxi Angell, which has sent its stock skyrocketing.
ABAT is set to increase production capacity and tighten cost controls to take full advantage of China’s e-bike boom.
Santa Cruz, California — The Santa Cruz, California-based company, Zero, has recently debuted its new Zero-X Electric Motorcycle, the result of years of work by Neal Saiki, founder, and inventor of the new e-cycle. Saiki is a former NASA engineer.
The overall design of the frame and plastic of the Zero-X is revolutionary, according to its reviewers from Dirt Rider, who also comment that the layout of the electric motor is innovative as well.
The bike is powered by a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable power pack, and has an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and swingarm. There is also a massive power module cradled in the center of the frame – which weighs 45 pounds and taking up most of the room in the motor area.
To start the bike, you simpy turn the key, flip the on/off switch to “on” and then wait about 0.562 seconds for the green light to come on.
Because the bike is silent, it is easy to forget it’s on. Flick the throttle and the cycle moves forward immediately, with no hesitation.
The Zero-X’s has a 20 horsepower engine. A test rider was able to climb Glen Helen’s famed Mount St. Helens with little trouble. There are two switches behind the handlebar-that can alter the Zero-X’s power. According to the reviewer, the “hit” switch doesn’t seem to make a massive difference, but the “low” setting makes the overall speed of the electric motorcycle much mellower. You have to toggle the key to go from low to high, which is a good safety feature.
The test rider pointed out that compared to a full-size 250, the Zero-X is fragile, but that’s because you’re contrasting it with a big bike. In relation to a mountain bike, though, this motorcycle is quite strong.
You truly have to ride it like a bicycle – that means no blatantly hard landings and no slamming into things; you have to use finesse to ride the bike. At 151 pounds, the Zero-X is about all that the mountain bike-style fork and shock combo can take, and the entire chassis takes on a nimble, flickable feel in the dirt. Although not as stable as some would like, the lightweight feel of the machine certainly is a benefit to the power-to-weight ratio, and though the Zero-X can’t take super-hard hits or big drops, it is still capable for mild trail scenarios.
It takes a while to get used to the layout of the bike. With two hand brakes and a throttle being the extent of the controls, there’s no need for your feet to do anything.
Some components-the chain guide, for instance-are low, obtrusive and simply not designed for serious off-road use (but then again, neither was the bike). The brakes are yet another mountain bike-inspired part and do a good job of stopping the bike when new, though Dirt Rider reviewers have heard from customers who bought this bike in late ‘08 that the pads wear out almost immediately.
It was the battery duration that would be extremely important.
The testers ran three batteries out at the Zero-X intro, and they all died in different fashions.
One battery slowly grew weaker and chugged to a stop, another felt as though it operated at one-third power forever and then fell out, and yet another battery dropped dead like someone had turned the key off. This variation is most likely because the speed with which the battery runs out, much like a tank of gas, is dependent on which mode you are in and how hard you are on the throttle.
Swapping out a battery with a replacement takes less than three minutes, but an extra batter costs $2950 (plus shipping) for the replacement.
Otherwise, it takes about two and a half hours to recharge the battery.
Right now, the major competitor to the Zero is the Quantya electric bike.
Specifications
MSRP: $7750
Claimed Weight (with battery): 151 lb
Fuel Capacity: None.
Source:
DirtRider.com
Zero founder Neal Saiki dropped by “Jay Leno’s Garage” in mid-June and talked about his recently released Zero motorcycle.
Leno is supporting the Zero S Electric Motorcycle, which according to Saiki can travel from New York City to LA on only $30 worth of electricity. The bike weighs just 225 pounds. The frame is made from aluminum that is three times the thickness of a soda can. The Zero S gets a full charge in a standard 110- or 120-volt outlet in less than four hours.
Saiki also points out that the bike’s 32 hp. is roughly equivalent to 50 hp. in an internal combustion engine since the Zero S’s power is available throughout the rev range.
Coupled with a weight of just 225 pounds, that’s an impressive power-to-weight number.
Saiki also says that the Zero’s frame is made from aluminum that’s just three times the thickness of a soda can.
On the show, Leno’s only complain was the bike’s “wimpy” horn.
Zero Motorcycles is now accepting orders with home delivery for $10,450.
