The Current News: February Edition

It’s been a while, and your EV editor has missed you, which is why she didn’t want all you fine readers of The Vintagent to miss out on anything. So, here are some gems that surfaced since we were last together – a comprehensive collection of eye-candy that may make your heart skip a braap. Oh, and read to the end: there’s some news.

An Electric Motorcycle Kite Kit For The Masses

 

of Gabriel Wartofsky Design calls it “an erector set for adult commuters.” I call it too nice to scuff up, and quite possibly impossible to ride, though who really cares if something works when it is this much fun to look at?

The Kite Bike is Warofsky’s bid to build an affordable electric motorcycle kit. The innovative American designer and co-founder of the clean-tech e-bikeshare start-up “Conscious Commuter” specializes in the future of mobility. Inspired by a tetrahedral kite and modular steel furniture, the folding, stamped, single-sheet design produces an attractive angular body that is more likely to capture the wind than deflect it. The seat is part of the electronics housing, the electric transmission powers a shaft drive that transfers the energy to wheels attached to a telelever suspension system. Too much, or not enough? No matter. This is how change happens; artists push the boundaries past what practicality cannot allow itself to imagine.

The same can be said about “ease of use.” Considering how often an IKEA assembly has been rumoured to terminate the healthiest of relationships, it’s a bit of diabolical fun to imagine the average commuter attempting to put together this ride; but success is a process and all part of the magic that transforms our future.

The Polestar SLR By Arthur Martins: Careful, Your Footpegs Are Showing

Back before computer technology gifted the design world with the tools, a concept was always easy to identify; a mock-up was a pencil sketch. There was no mistaking a drawing as a prototype, let alone a product available for purchase. Now the renderings are so real that people forget which makes for some delightful confusion, like the reactions to the Polestar SLR Electric Motorcycle concept by Arthur Martins. This feedback, however mistaken, is also an opportunity for the lively feedback to help transform even the wildest imaginings into a prototype with potential. For example, in response to inquiries, there quickly appeared cleverly embedded foot pegs.

You might remember Arthur Martins from his 2015 concept bike for Audi called the “Bullcycle,” another forward-thinking design from the seasoned automotive designer. This time Martins has a different agenda and not just because it is electric. The Polestar SLR is minimalist and Scandinavian and specifically geared towards its purpose. Martins’ Behance page reads: “Main goal is to keep only what is necessary for a salt lake racing. No steering enable and small suspension travel on this version.” The Polestar is meant to go as fast as possible, and strictly in a straight line. There is the promise of an upcoming street version, complete with suspension, steering, and (hopefully) a seat, but fast things first.

This E-bike Is All About Nothing 

Project Zero is about having everything, and nothing at all – a motorcycle with all the power and style, and zero-emissions. With 30 kW of power, a 143mph top speed and an estimated 2 hours to recharge the battery, this is more like a dare any rider would want to take, not a compromise.

‘Project Zero” is the result of Yatri Motorcycles combining “Elegance in Motion” and its ecological mandate, all the while delivering incredible style. The pared-down café racer seems to be floating, two suspended lines – one a horizontal, white seat-space, the other a diagonal turquoise stripe defining the vertical space – both materialize out of the negative space created by the completely blacked-out chassis and battery pack. It’s ethereal.

Also on board is Project Zero’s beautiful interface on a 7’ full-HD display. “In addition to vital telemetry data and navigation, the display equips you with powerful insights like fuel cost savings and carbon offset contribution.”

eMotion Surge: Brand New, In Red Or Blue

If Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge was a motorcycle, he would look like the eMotion Surge, with its retro, space-age body-work that draws inspiration from 80’s racers. Presented at the 2020 Auto Expo, the Surge is eagerly anticipated to arrive in showrooms by early this summer.

It’s not just the aesthetic that is vintage-inspired, there’s also a 4-speed manual gearbox, a less common feature that is gaining popularity. This mid-drive motor is available in two and the entry-level model that still boasts a respectable 6kW of continuous power for a top speed of 62mph (100kph). Among the modern amenities is the removable battery with a standard charge of 3.5 hours and a DC Fast Charge of about 50 minutes. Additionally, the The eMotion Surge will include a variety of smart features such as 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth IoT connectivity, keyless start, automatic turn signals, GPS navigation, anti-theft/remote disabling and vehicle telemetry. The entry-level model is estimated to sell for about $1800 USD; the premium closer to $2000 USD, which make them both incredibly cheap. However, it’s too early to place a pre-order on these well-priced speedsters since they are not yet available outside of India. We’ll let you know.

It’s NIU And Cheap, Seriously

It’s sassy, speedy and it won’t break the bank. The RQi-GT, Niu’s latest electric bike, revealed at CES 2020 is the two-wheeled half of the company’s new high-powered electric vehicle offerings. Known for producing seated scooters, Niu has upped its game with this urban commuter which, although capable of 100 mph, is more likely to achieve the projected range of 80 miles-per-charge at slower city speeds of about 30mph.

Niu crafted a mid-mounted electric motor with a peak output of 30 kW that uses a belt-driven first stage reduction, then chain drives the rear wheel. All this is powered by two removable batteries with a combined capacity of 7 kWh. Worried about low battery power? It’s an urban commuter. Bigger batteries and heavier batteries that are more expensive too. This is a way to keep things cheap (no, there isn’t a published price yet, just published promises) and light. However, what it may lack in longevity it compensates for in intelligence. Quickly becoming the norm are the RQi-GT’s smart features including 5G IoT connectivity, IoT connected battery packs, and rider aids that include an adaptive, leading front headlight, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. A full TFT dashboard display, Bluetooth and GPS connectivity, which provides anti-theft and vehicle tracking functionality. It even allows riders to check their tire pressure directly from the app, which is constantly updated with the bike’s diagnostics. Perhaps the reason NIU calls the RQi-GT a Smart bike is because it can do more than its riders?

India’s Amazon Delivery E-Crew

Part Tuk-Tuk, part delivery truck, all fun. The video showcases Amazon’s #ClimatePledge, a fully electric delivery fleet, demonstrating their stunt driving abilities. By 2025 this gang of zero-emissions vehicles of all kind is projected to reach 10,000.

Practically-speaking, an electric delivery vehicle makes more sense considering the realities of the job. In order to save time, delivery drivers often leave their trucks idling. This consumes more gas and releases more toxins into the atmosphere. However, the alternative to letting a motor run isn’t great either, since turning a combustion motor on and off repeatedly causes extensive wear and shortens its lifespan. Electric engines, on the other hand, don’t mind the stop-and-start. The result? No emissions, less turnover, lower carbon footprint.

The same type of initiative is also in the works at Amazon US, but it’s still in the prototype phase. Here, Amazon has partnered with Rivian to create 3 different van styles (out of clay!!) in anticipation of the colossal order for 100,000 electric delivery vans to be completely filled by 2030.

The Elektro Frosch Is An Electric Camping Experience

My “frosh” week was all beer and bawdy chants. The Elektro Frosch on the other hand, (maybe not the same word?) is an electric tricycle micro camper that is all cute, quiet luxury. In fact, this set up is perfectly the opposite of “rough.”

Technically, sweet set-up is an L2E (three-wheel moped) that provides a detachable tent-top that transforms the functional flat-bed into a mini motorhome, complete with an extensive camping kit. It’s an adorable option to cuddling up to the bumpy terrain, but not as convenient for co-cuddling. It will, however, keep you close to civilization, by necessity. With a top range of only 37 miles and a top speed of almost 25 mph plan to get to your somewhere close, somewhat slowly, and don’t stray too far from civilization.

The ‘pro’ camper model with a full driver cabin and a ceramic heater starts at $5,500USD, or there’s also the “big” camper with doorless cabin from $4,400.

Gorgeous TRUVOR Electric Scrambler

Even with this edition’s magnificent mob of e-motorcycles the Truvor Electric Scrambler had to be seen. It’s fast and fierce, and full of fight. Designed by Pablo Baranoff-Dorn for Denzel Electric the handsome Truvor can hold its own at top speeds of between 52 and 62 miles-per-hour for at least 75 miles. Depending on your bent, you can bump up the wheelbases to suit tarmac or terrain. Either way, the total weight is between 143 – 165 lbs, depending on personal preferences for carbon fibre, battery capacity and suspension. To complete the look, you can choose between Classic Black, White or Yellow. When you’re done, get out there and rip.

Believe The Unbelievable: Sturgis Buffalo Chip Recruits E-Bikes

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Wanted: Info on Your Electric Bike or Electric Bike Project!⁠ ⁠ From prototypes to production bikes, electric-power is the current buzz in new-tech Electric Vehicle (EV) transportation. EV hasn’t yet replaced Internal Combustion (IC), but ignoring the trend would be short-sighted, even foolish. ⁠ ⁠ Inspired by a 2019 exhibit at the Peterson Automotive Museum, we are wondering are you an EV pioneer? Riding on the leading edge? Do you own an electric bike? Better still, have you customized one, or dream of doing so? We want to know about it! Tell us about your E-bike or point us toward someone you know who is passionate about them so we can loop you and them in on possible show plans.

A post shared by Sturgis Buffalo Chip (@sturgisbuffalochip) on Jan 14, 2020 at 2:30pm PST

Well now, this is interesting. In amongst the butts, boobs, babes and bikers featured on the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Instagram feed is an unexpected call-out inspired by…wait for it…the 2019 exhibit of electric motorcycles at the Peterson Automotive Museum!!! Yes, that one: curated by your very own Paul D’Orleans of The Vintagent. They’re looking for EV pioneers – people who own, are customizing, or are simply dreaming of owning an electric motorcycle.

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re reading this column, you fall into at least one of those categories, correct? If you reach out to them, they’ll “loop” you into their possible show plans! Remember to tag us in the pictures.