It’s no surprise that the electric revolution is taking the world by storm. And one of the fastest-growing markets in the EV space is electric motorcycles. In fact, the global e-Motorcycle market is projected to experience an explosion over the next decade, with a forecasted CAGR growth rate of 32.5%. And while we’re beyond debating about whether or not the future of transportation is electric (it is), there’s still plenty of discussions to be had for some folks when comparing gas-powered bikes to electric ones. But that’s like comparing apples and oranges.After the tremendous success of our 2018 ‘Electric Revolution’ exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum (with 6.3 Billion media impressions), The Vintagent team and the Motor/Cycle Arts Foundation are following up with an exhibit featuring a dozen individuals and teams making an impact in the EV scene. ‘Electric Revolutionaries’ opens April 9th, and includes the work of our subject today: Hugo Eccles. Hugo’s futuristic XP Zero prototype has won design awards and garnered attention around the world, and will be featured in Electric Revolutionaries, along with more of Hugo’s work. Our EV Editor Stephanie Weaver interviewed Hugo about his process designing the XP Zero.








Stop comparing EV M/C’s to ICEs ?
Hmmmm … kind of hard to do when practically every EV M/C including this one are nothing more than an ICE foundation with a bunch of EV wanna be tech stuffed in it
And then … there’s the simple fact … it IS a motorcycle … therefore one NEEDS to make comparisons . Maybe not in Suburban Urban Hipster wanna be land … but here in the REAL world … thats how things work little lady
FYI … your comparisons to phone tech are ludicrous verging on uninformed absurd .. on the best of days; Philosophy and Rhetoric 101 . And yes dear .. I have advanced degrees in philosophy etc .
The motorcycle is beautiful, and it’s creator an artist indeed. And this article really draws attention! But “By simultaneously retaining traditional styling cues, then literally puncturing them with voids, the XP Zero highlights exactly what’s different about EV design” and “How would an electric motorcycle look today if they had continued developing EVs for the past 130 years?” are contradictory and, to me, read like bad marketing. That doesn’t give any good vibes in favor of electrical vehicles. On the contrary, it paves a one-way highway for traditional motorcyclists to speed over the mentioned crossroads.
Interesting points, but I don’t see a contradiction.
Do you agree that by using a ‘gas tank’ shape then poking large holes in it that the designer is indeed pointing out ‘what’s different about EVs’? I think part of what makes the XP Zero appealing is a familiar silhouette, but it’s a trompe l’oeil, and it works.
I think Hugo’s notional 130 years of EV development is a thought experiment, not a design brief. As the XP Zero references ICE styling cues, clearly he did not limit his design to a world where ICEs never existed.
I just think the absence of the gas tank shape altogether would be more to the point. Because, to me, as the artist’s quotes (and the article itself) state the purpose of not imitating ICE motorcycles, his motorcycle goes against that purpose, and really does not develop much on the imaginary motorcycle from an EV golden age come true in our time. In the end, it appears to me that his purpose could be to draw attention to his work and EV’s and, if so, it’s very well achieved by generating healthy discussion. All that, and I still do very much appreciate his marvelous build, and would thrill to ride it!
Me too! A proper futuristic cafe racer. Many thanks for your thoughts.