Electric motorbikes are on their way to take over the two-wheeled transportation industry, but they'll not totally replace ICE motorcycles anytime soon but at some point of time in the future it will certainly happen. Internal combustion engines are replaced with electric motors. Electric motorbikes are similar to their ICE counterparts and their energy source is Lithium-ion batteries instead of a gas tank as a source
of energy.
Riding an electric bike is perhaps more common than you realise. Most now use a motorcycle's platform, with a battery pack and a motor replacing the powertrain. Because all electric motorcycles now have a
single-speed transmission and don't require a clutch, riding one is similar to riding a scooter—just twist and go. You coast along when you let go of the throttle. The absence of noise is the most noticeable difference. Many motorbike enthusiasts miss it and that is something we need to get used to over
time.
The combination of zero pollutants and the absence of engine noise makes a compelling case for the electric motorbike's future, addressing the principal objections to motorbikes in both urban and off-road
settings. They also make a convincing argument for commuters to switch from conventional gas powered motorbikes to electric ones, claiming that doing so will save them money on petrol and reduce their environmental effect. Motorbikes do not employ large, expensive battery packs that require an overnight charge because they are much lighter than electric car batteries but when you need to recharge your electric motorbike, you just have to plug it into a conventional 110-volt outlet, though some will charge faster if you have a 220-volt outlet nearby.
Electric motorcycles are made by a variety of companies and come in a variety of designs and sizes. To ride one, regardless of its design, you'll need the required licence, insurance, and other papers, just like any other motorcycle. Electric motorbikes can reach very high speeds, as there is instantaneous surge of torque, unlike conventional motorbikes which have a gear box and a transmission system. But it highly depends on the motors used in them.
There's something for everyone's budget, just like with traditional motorbikes. Electric motorbikes on the other hand are generally more expensive than ICE models, simply because the technology incorporated in
them in today’s time is a little expensive, like the battery pack.
In the United States, within the budget category, the CSC City Slicker (62 miles range, 46.6 mph top speed, 216 lbs) may be bought for as little as $2,500. The Segway Dirt eBike, on the other hand, costs $3,500 and has a weight of 121.3 pounds, a range of 74.6 miles, and a top speed of 46.6 miles per hour.
If you prefer something more beefier, the Zero FXS (293 pounds, 100 miles range, 85 mph top speed) is available for $10,495 in the base configuration from the well-known Zero electric motorcycles.
In the expensive and premium electric motorbike category, The Harley-Davidson Livewire offers 146 miles range, it has a 110 mph top speed and weighs around 549lbs, that's quite a lot of weight, it is priced
at a jaw dropping $29,799. The Zero SR/S electric motorcycle, which weighs 505 pounds and has a range of 161 miles and a top speed of 124 miles per hour, costs $19,995. Of course, if your wallet permits, there's more exotic stuff out there, such as the Arc Vector, that costs more than $100,000.
Although as of now there is lack of a standardization yet in the electric motorbike space. What I mean to say here is there hasn’t been a trend setter yet in the electric motorbike landscape in the entire world,
unlike the electric car landscape of the world, like for example how Tesla, and the big Germans (Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen) have shaped up the electric vehicle space in today’s time. Making an electric motorbike is fairly less complicated than making an electric car. Hence anyone who has the expertise of mechanical engineering can probably make one in their own garage affixing an electric motor, battery and other components on to an existing body of a conventional motorbike. But as I just mentioned about Harley Davidson, Zero Motorcycles, there are a few players out there in the market who has indeed made their presence known to the market. Let’s take a look at some of the major brands in the electric motorbike landscape.
Harley Davidson.
Image Courtesy: Harley Davidson Motorcycles
There is no need of introduction of this legendary American manufacturer. The Harley-Davidson Livewire is Harley's first foray into the electric motorbike market. Electric Harleys are here to stay, as the company
aims to create a separate division for electric two-wheelers. Although the Livewire starts at an eye watering $29799. But it’s worth the money for the unmatched performance the motorbike offers. The motorbike offers a mighty 105 hp and 116 Nm of torque.
Zero Motorcycles.
Image Courtesy: Zero Motorcycles
Zero is one of the most well-known electric motorcycle manufacturer, having been founded in 2006 in California. Across its street, street racing, supermoto and sport lines, it now offers roughly ten models.
Energica Motor Company.
Image Courtesy: Energica Motor Company
Energica, which is based in Italy, same as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Ducati, concentrates on supersport electric motorcycles. They are the first manufacturers to manufacture super sports electric motorbikes. Energica produces some of the most stunning looking motorcycles. These motorcycles aren't just for show. They're superbikes in every sense of the word. The Energica Ego is guaranteed to be a rocket with 145 horsepower and 215 Nm of torque. With the larger 21.5kWh battery pack, the Ego has a top speed of 150 mph and a range of 250 miles in the city and 112 miles on the highway. One hour is all it takes to charge the bike completely, making it one of the fastest charging bikes on the market. This motorbike can cost you $19540.
Lightning Motorcycles.
Image Courtesy: Lightning Motorcycles
Lightning Motorcycles is an electric motorbike company based in California. With a starting price of $13,000, the 2019 Lightning Strike is the company's first electric motorcycle for the general public. The company is also known for setting records on the Bonneville Salt Flats and at Pikes Peak.
Evoke Motorcycles.
Image Courtesy: Evoke Motorcycles
Evoke, a company founded in Beijing, describes itself as "Asia's quickest electric propulsion motorcycles." The ultra-fast charging technology, which can charge a motorcycle battery in as little as 15 minutes, is its standout feature. The Evoke Urban is one of the affordable full-size motorcycles you can buy. The Urban is ideally suited for city commuting, as its name implies. It does, however, have a top speed of 81 mph, making it more than competent of short highway rides. It only takes 90 minutes to refuel the 125-mile range. There's even a reverse version of the Urban. Instead of having a distinct reverse gear, the electric motor will simply rotate slowly in the opposite direction to reverse. This can come in handy when parking in congested urban areas. This Evoke should be able to tackle anything the city streets can throw at it, with a max output of 19kW (25hp).
CSC City Sliker.
Image Courtesy: CSC
The city slicker is the one among the affordable motorbikes but it still a fairly good performer. This motorbike is ideal for short urban commutes because of its nice aesthetics and powerful 3.2kW electric motor. Depending on the rider's weight, the top speed ranges from 40 to 42 mph. Instead of a gas tank, a storage box has been installed where the gas tank would have been. Range is also good, at 62 miles per hour. At 120 volt outlets, recharging takes 6-8 hours. The battery can also be removed and charged independently. Despite its diminutive size, the City Slicker is quick to shoot up ahead. Its engine is ideal for city commutes.
Kalk& - Cake.
Image Courtesy: Kalk&
Kalk&'s Cake is a superlight off-road trail bike that's just been out recently. With a weight of only 174 pounds, the Kalk is guaranteed to be a great off-roader. In reality, it's likely to be a superb bike for buzzing through traffic in metropolitan areas. The maximum speed is 56 mph, and the range is 53 miles of mixed riding. To go from 0 to 100%, it just takes 2.5 hours to recharge.
Emflux One
Image Courtesy: Emflux Motors
While the Emflux One has yet to go into production, its specifications appear to be promising. The bike is driven by an electric motor that delivers 71 hp and 84 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in under 3 seconds. The bike weighs 373 pounds and is expected to have a range of 121 miles. Although not all of the details are available, charging from zero to 80% should take only 36 minutes. Emflux is aiming for a starting price of less than $10,000. They'll be quite competitive against other 600cc sport bikes in the market if they can accomplish that.
So to conclude, if you're in the market for a new motorbike, now is a great time to think about going electric. You need to ask yourself one question – What am I going to do with the bike? If you are
able to answer that question I think you are good to go because you will definitely get a motorbike according to your need and that is what you have to identify. Electric motorbikes are fascinating to possess because of their little maintenance and tremendous power. Many electric motorbikes have already surpassed their gas-powered equivalents in terms of performance. Each year, these motorbikes appear to improve in terms of performance, speed, and range. So we really have to take electric motorbikes as serious rivals to the conventional gas powered ones and if the future of motorbikes is
electric then be rest assured that the future is going to be stupendous.