As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022, we are ramping up reportage on the EV scene.  It’s an ever-evolving, even frantic, landscape of electric vehicles, and it can be tough to keep abreast of all the latest bikes, batteries, and news constantly flooding the market. That’s why we’ve re-launched our weekly EV News Roundup to bring you cherry-picked stories that matter to you.

This week has definitely been an exciting one for the world of electric motorcycles! From BMW dropping an EV bike catering to Gen Z (as a millennial, I feel slightly slighted), to an e-motorcycle setting a new land speed record at Bonneville, here is this week’s roundup of awesome EV stories from the Electric Revolution.

CrownCruiser Sets a New Standard for EV Bikes

The Crown Cruiser uses a carbon fiber chassis for a unique and chic urban style. Its designer Adebola Adeleye has been experimenting with ebikes for years, and is using an Indiegogo campaign to launch production. [Crown Cruiser]
A seamless blend of retro aesthetics, high performance, and pioneering technology, the CrownCruiser just dropped on Indiegogo. With throwback styling, tons of curves, and a tech pedigree backed by input from aerospace industry experts, the CrownCruiser promises to deliver an unrivaled riding experience within a 100-mile range. With a brushless DC hub motor that produces a maximum output of 100W and an affordable price tag of $3,150, the CrownCruiser is the brainchild of Adebola Adeleye. Using his background in aeronautical engineering and his passion for exploration, Adeleye set out to create an EV motorcycle that mated form with function.

To learn more about the Crown Cruiser, or support their Indiegogo campaign, click here. [Crown Cruiser]
Currently, manufacturing of the carbon fiber frame and other components of the bike are being developed by a leading independent materials manufacturer that has previously worked with Formula 1 teams. The CrownCruiser is currently ready for production. To make riding easier, Adeleye’s startup is planning to install swap-and-go battery stations across cities in the UK to allow riders to power up in seconds.

CAKE Launches Third Platform: Makka

CAKE’s Makka with optional saddlebags. [Cake]
CAKE’s third model platform was released this week, the Makka.  A light urban delivery or pleasure vehicle, it requires no license for riders 15 years an older, and is street legal.  It’s also CAKE’s first motorcycle with an in-wheel motor, with a step-thru chassis that’s similar to their Ösa platform, but uses only large-diameter tubing with no spine member. It looks to be a perfect last-mile delivery vehicle, and comes with a range of accessories, from racks and saddlebags to a child safety seat!  We believe that’s a first from a motorcycle company.

An industry first? The Makka with optional accessory child safety seat! [CAKE]
With cities and its mobility changing faster than expected with cleaner and more efficient solutions, we have been eager to share the Makka. An urban short-haul vessel, compact in size and price, reaching a wide audience in the process of deciding what their future means of transportation will be. I’m proud to introduce the CAKE urban shuttle, Makka.”, says Stefan Ytterborn, CEO and Founder.

BMW is Targeting a Younger Crowd with Its Motorrad Concept CE 02

The new BMW Concept CE 02 is a mini urban runabout with styling cues taken from indie ebike builders and customizers. It’s an important move for BMW, which has struggled to reach new or non-riders and especially the youth market (in common with most OEMs). The future of fun is the future of motorcycling! [BMW]
Do you know what is rad? Luxury vehicle manufacturer BMW’s Motorrad Concept CE 02. Catering to Gen Z youngsters ages 16 and up who aren’t that familiar with riding, the EV bike boasts styling that’s worthy of the ‘Gram, smart technology, and a design that enables riders to pick a posture that best suits them. While traditionalists might roll their eyes at the lack of footrests and gears, we’re pretty pleased that BMW is trying to get the next generation aboard two-wheels.

Making tech specs irrelevant in pursuit of pure enjoyment is a drastic shift in approach for BMW, which has been steered for decades by a corporate culture of increasing tech and sophistication, which began to alienate new riders. [BMW]
Head of Design for BMW Motorrad, Edgar Heinrich, is clear about the inspiration behind the CE 02: “At first glance, there is little about the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 that is typically BMW Motorrad – it’s something completely new. We want to strive for something novel and be pioneers – which is what we’ve proven ourselves capable of with various projects in the past. The Concept CE 02 features new proportions and modern forms of single-track mobility in an urban environment. In addition, we wanted to achieve a level of design innovation that we have not had before at this level. Straightforward use was important, but above all the emotional component was crucial, as well as riding fun.”

The Nicolai Eboxx Ultra E-Bike is Beastly

The Nicolai Eboxx blurs the line between bicycle and enduro motorcycle with high performance, speed, and comfort with full suspension. [Nicolai]
The man behind the Nicolai Bicycles brand has been putting out wild e-bikes for a long time, and his brand new 275 Nm monster is no different. Recently featured at Eurobike 2021, the Eboxx Ultra delivers power between 15 to 35 kW. Despite its power, the Eboxx Ultra is a cumbersome machine, clocking in between 121 and 143 pounds. This makes the Eboxx Ultra more comparable to a light enduro motorcycle that a mountain bike.  It looks comfortable and fast for the trails less traveled, and the Eboxx Ultra handles itself pretty nicely on the pavement, reaching top speeds of about 40 mph.

EV Motorcycle Sets New Land Record

Ukranian ebike maker Delfast utilized the Dnepr name (and dummy fuel tank) for a run at Bonneville, hitting 107.2 mph with rider Serhii Malyk aboard, on Aug 21, 2021. [Delfast]
Two weeks ago on the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Ukranian ebike manufacturer Delfast set a record in the new “A Omega” class. The 68-horsepower Delfast Dnepr ran 107.2 mph with professional rider Serhii Malyk, who set previous records in 2017 and 2018 astride Delfast ebikes.  Delfast now owns the Dnepr name and intellectual property rights, and used a 1980s Dnepr two-stroke ‘fuel tank’ on the e-racer as a nod to the past.  If the name doesn’t ring a bell, Dnepr was one of the companies producing clones of the BMW R71 model during and after WW2 (along with Ural and Chiang-Jiang, Yangtze, etc), as well as building their own designs of two-strokes and even Wankel-engined prototypes before hitting troubles with the fall of the Soviet Union.   Now Delfast is reviving the Dnepr name, which resonates in the former Soviet bloc countries, and is looking to secure a foothold in the future with their hi-tech ebikes.   Delfast is dedicated to producing economical ebikes with great performance – they currently hold the world record for the longest distance travelled on a single charge with their Prime ebike, rounding the Kiev Velodrome for 228 miles!

Expannia’s new EV Concept Worthy of Daytona Bike Week

Expannia has a bold new lineup of motorcycles, microcars, sedans, and busses, all slated for future production. Their ebike is slick and attractive, but features limp-rod fake exhausts…why?
It’s a beauty without them. [Expannia]
Far from the caterwauling cries of Harley exhausts we expect to hear bellowing up and down Main Street during Daytona Bike Week, Miami-based startup Expannia is quietly working on a lineup of muscular EVs. As the initial part of an ambitious plan to rollout compact cars, SUVs, and microcars by 2026, the company’s e-bike, slated for next year, is a true stunner. Housing 20 to 25 kW motors powered by a 6 kWh battery, the bike promises to reach top speeds of 75 mph and have a 93-mile range. While the bodywork is angular and frankly stunning, the designers in a fit of insecurity have fitted faux dual exhaust pipes and air intakes, to fool whom?  Ditch the chrome bits, Expannia, and be bold in your EV heart!

Ford and GM’s Stance on EV Impact of Gas Vehicle Values

The switch to EVs will not impact resale values, according to US industry bigwigs. Thoughts on that? [Aaron Bragman]
Automotive manufacturing giants, Ford and GM, are both expressing confidence that the global pivot to using EVs will not negatively effect the values of gas-powered vehicles. C-suite executives at both companies do not expect major changes within their leasing portfolios due to the ever-growing demand for electric vehicles. Do you think they’re right?

 

Stephanie Weaver is a Philadelphia-based freelance writer. When she’s not locked to her laptop, she can be found riding horses and motorcycles.