The Current News: Oct. 7, 2021
As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022, as a follow-up of our Electric Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum, 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.
Hello all riders and readers! Welcome to our weekly EV news roundup, where we share everything you need to know about the world of electric bikes. The first full week of October panned out to be EV-heavy, with several exciting new releases, fresh new funding, and how the EV boom is sending battery giants scampering to fill the shortage of qualified engineer and research specialists.
Let’s do this.
More Info is Released About the $5,000 SONDORS Metacycle
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comment section!
Ridiculously Fast e-Scoots
Fresh Funds
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Current-News-Oct-7-2021-The-Vintagent-Dance-ebike-1024x660.png)
- German EV startup Dance recently raised $19 million in just a few short weeks after rolling out its e-Bike subscription service in Berlin. The monthly subscription will run you about $90 for the white-gloved rental experience.
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- kWh, a Bengaluru-based e-Scooter startup, raised $2 million from Let’s Venture. The company plans to use the funds to take its prototypes to production. The company had developed an e-scooter with a steel tube chassis and in-wheel motor with modest performance and a very low price. It will join the new wave of inexpensive eBikes coming from India that will soon appear around the world.
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- Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), China’s largest battery manufacturer, recently acquired Vancouver-based Millennial Lithium for $297 million. Chinese companies already dominate the global supply of lithum-based batteries, which are the gold standard for EVs, as well as for smartphones and computers. China currently controls 80% of the world's minerals used for the production of batteries - lithium, cobalt, graphite, etc - as part of their far-seeing strategy to secure mineral rights from countries around the planet, especially in Africa and South America. As half of the world's vehicles are expected to be electric by 2040, this makes China's position on the application of energy (as opposed to its production) the strategic equivalent of the Mideast domination of petrochemical production in the 20th Century. The United States prioritized 'energy independence' after the 1974 Oil Crisis, and achieved it in 2019, but no such long-term strategy for the protection of mineral rights or battery production - as important to future transport as petroleum is today - exists today, or is even being discussed. In other words, in all important respects, China has won, as the only runner in the race to power personal tech and EVs. The geopolitical implications are clear as the center of 'power' shifts further east.
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- GM is investing a ton of money in a next-gen battery platform dubbed Ultium. The company will use a facility in Michigan called the Wallace Battery Innovation Center to drive the development and commercialization of long-range EV batteries.
South Korean Battery Giants Face Staffing Shortage
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The Current News: Oct. 1, 2021
As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022, as a follow-up of our Electric Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum, 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.
Happy national Drive Electric Week! Held every October, the week-long event is a nationwide observance to raise awareness of the numerous benefits of electric vehicles. Here at The Vintagent, we’re proud to be doing our part in promoting EV education by sharing valuable stories with you every week. This week sees the drop of Harley-Davidson’s most affordable e-Bike, the Serial 1 MOSH/CTY, how the UK’s fuel shortage is driving the demand for EVs, a new e-Scooter that has a staggering range of 480+ km on one charge, some fun new releases, and a ton of successful fundraising efforts.
The Cheapest Bike Harley-Davidson Will Ever Make?
Demand for EVs Spike Amidst the UK’s Fuel Shortage Crisis
Longest Ranging e-Scooter Drops
Riders Across 139 Countries Log 50-Million Miles on Electric Monos
Fresh Funding
Other recent noteworthy investments include:
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- New Zealand-based e-Bike company, Ubco, secured a $10 million investment from TPK Holdings.
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- Battery Resources, a startup that’s launching a closed-loop approach to lithium-ion battery materials, raised $70 million in funding.
Rad New eBike Releases
Some additional EV releases that caught our attention this week include:
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- Cowboy’s nimble new Cowboy 4 e-Bike, featuring an integrated “cockpit” that allows riders to securely mount their smartphones to access GPS or fitness data in real-time. The bike has a range of about 43 miles on one charge and can travel up to 20 mph.
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Current-News-The-Vintagent-RAD-Power-bike-1024x735.png)
Bike is a classic city commuter. [Rad Power]
- Rad Power Bikes announced the release of its RadCity 5 Plus, a commuter e-Bike that can climb hills 40% faster than earlier predecessors.
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- NYC’s Pave Motors announced its Pave Bike, a minibike with a tiny in-wheel motor, is available for pre-order.
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: Sept 24, 2021
As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022, as a follow-up of our Electric Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum, 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.
It seems that with every passing week, the EV world is going farther and faster. And as the e-Bike boom continues to grow, so will our coverage on the essential stories that matter to you, dear readers/riders. This week sees 70mph e-Scooters built entirely by a team of women (definitely my cup of tea), an evocatively styled e-Bike that is sure to appeal to scrambler enthusiasts, an e-Scooter that boasts the same collision warning sensors as your car, and EV stocks worth investing in.
e-Scooters to Be Built Entirely by Women
Enabling women with economic opportunities improves not just their lives but that of their families and indeed the whole community. In fact, studies show that just providing women parity in the labor workforce can grow India’s GDP by 27%. But this requires active and conscious efforts from all of us, especially in manufacturing where participation remains the lowest at just 12%. For India to be the world’s manufacturing hub, we must prioritize upskilling and generating employment for our women workforce.”
RGNT’s Throwback e-Motorcycle Caters to Scrambler Enthusiasts
New e-Scooter Has the Same Collision Warning System as Your Fancy Car
EV Stocks Worth the Investment
Government Investment in EVs Projected to Create 150,000 Jobs
A report by the Economic Policy Institute lays it out: if the US government does not invest in EV technology, a projected 75,000 US jobs will be lost in the coming decade, as EV production ramps up overseas (did you note all the articles above are about non-US companies?). The EPI report projects, though, that with the $175M included in the current budget proposals to support EV development, the US will gain 175,000 jobs in EV production over the next 10 years. "The Stakes for Workers in How Policymakers Manage the Coming Shift to All-Electric Vehicles" lays out the stakes: "...battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which are powered exclusively by a battery and an electric motor, currently make up a small part of U.S. auto sales. And the batteries and other drivetrain components in BEVs are largely made by non-U.S. suppliers. The coming shift toward BEVs is a transformational change to the industry that is by now inevitable." To summarize: if we're not part of the solution, we're creating more problems. Seems pretty straightforward. Give the article a read here.
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: Sep 17, 2021
As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022, as a follow-up of our Electric Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum, 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 in EV news sees a baby-toting EV cargo bike, a fold-up e-Bike, a reimagined electric motorbike platform, a new drop from one of the OG e-Bike manufacturers, and updates on President Biden’s EV tax credits.
Zaiser Motors Drops a Platform Redesign and Sporty e-Bike
With the launch of the Arrow, Zaiser is hoping to target urban riders and daily commuters who are looking for a lighter, more affordable EV option. The Arrow costs $8,500 and weighs 380 pounds.
Monday Motorbikes Introduces the Piezo
Carqon Classic Caters to the Kiddos
Meet the World’s First Folding e-Bike
e-Bike Tax Credit Slowly Makes Its Way Through Congress
[Editor's note: I've been asked the same question by every E-Moto manufacturer I've met: 'what will move the needle on ebikes in the USA?' I've always answered the same, 'Legislation.' Which they've always found discouraging, but it's exactly what propelled China to the top of global ebike usage, with millions on their streets today. EVs have their issues, from rare mineral extraction and its political/social/environmental cost, to clean electricity production, but walking on the streets of Shanghai today is to experience quiet and relatively pollution-free streets.]
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: Sept 10 2021
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.
It’s that time of the week to plug in, charge up, and ride out! The first full week of September has been a crazy one for electric motorcycles. From BMW releasing yet two boundary-pushing e-bikes (you’re guaranteed to love the 186 miles worth of range on them) to four moto giants partnering up to launch a battery swapping system, this week’s EV news roundup is bound to get all you electric vehicle nerds fired up! It's all movement towards the Electric Revolution.
BMW Drops two new E-Bikes: High-Speed and Low-Speed
CAKE and Polestar Announce the Maiden Electric Mobility Bundle
“Our new electric mobility bundle comes as a unique first step to solve the worldwide problems of city mobility as well as to accelerate the transition towards an emissions-free future. Instead of wasting time in a car queue, struggling to find a parking spot or squashing up in a crowded subway train, we together with the team at Polestar want to make the future of mobility flexible, accessible and emission-free - while aiming to create cities for people, not for cars that pollute,” CAKE CEO and founder, Stefan Ytterborn, stated in a press release.
Would you buy this bundle? Let us know in the comments below!
VanMoof Becomes “Most Funded e-Bike Company” After Raising $128 Million
Vehicle Manufacturing Giants Team Up to Create a Battery Swapping System
Schaeffler Group Reveals a Chainless e-Bike Drive System
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: Sep. 3, 2021
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
CAKE Launches Third Platform: Makka
BMW is Targeting a Younger Crowd with Its Motorrad Concept CE 02
The Nicolai Eboxx Ultra E-Bike is Beastly
EV Motorcycle Sets New Land Record
Expannia's new EV Concept Worthy of Daytona Bike Week
It's a beauty without them. [Expannia]
Ford and GM’s Stance on EV Impact of Gas Vehicle Values
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: Aug 27, 2021
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.
From the affordable and super durable SONDORS Metacycle EV bike that features hub motor technology designed to eliminate the common chain/belt final drive (a frustration to many of you traditional riders, we know!) to batteries that promise to charge to 80% in just 30 minutes, here are our picks for the most buzzworthy EV stories of the week!
The SONDORS Metacycle Will Soon Be Hitting the Market
Husqvarna Unveils Its First EV Street Bike
At Energica, Shorter Charging Times Are Around the Corner
In a recent interview with Visordown, Testoni stated, “Of course, there was already a Japanese standard, but we were the first to start on a European standard, enabling charging to 80% in half an hour. In real use, when you stop for refueling, you go and drink some coffee, 20 minutes, it’s very easy to reach that target.” While this is a good start, Testoni believes that an 85% charge in just 15 minutes is completely achievable in the very near future.
An EV Ducati?!
Ghanain Teenager Builds Solar-Powered Wooden Scooter from Scrap
Samuel, a 17-year old student in Ghana, gained insta-fame last week for his home-built, solar-powered electric scooter, built entirely from scrap wood and discarded parts. The scooter charges its battery from a small solar panel on the back, uses very low-draw LED lights front and rear, and incorporates the small electric motor from his mother's sewing machine! The scooter is totally functional, and captured global attention after a Ghanaian YouTube star (Efo Selasi) featured him on his channel. Now we wonder, how can we get this young man a scholarship for the engineering school he is so clearly ready for?
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
EV Tax Credit: Ditch Your Car?
Would you abandon your car if given a Federal tax credit to buy an E-Bike? Despite the 2021 tax deadline being pushed back to May 17, thousands of Americans are still scampering to organize their paperwork to enjoy hefty tax refunds under the new tax code. But would you give up your car for a large EV tax credit?
The current US administration has big plans for electric vehicles. Despite his love for his 1967 Corvette, President Biden plans to spend up to $174 billion to get Americans behind the wheels of electric cars. He also plans to make electric vehicles more affordable by offering rebates, tax credits, and other incentives. The President also hopes to have a million charging stations scattered across the country by 2030. Other government officials are following suit. Congressmen Jimmy Panetta and Earl Blumenaurer of California and Oregon were inspired to propose the Electrical Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act. They want to drastically reduce carbon emissions by getting more cars off the streets. The Act promises to provide tax credits to individuals seeking to purchase a new e-bike. In fact, consumers would get up to 30% of their total e-bike purchase back come tax season. However, the limit caps off at $1,500.
Would You Take the Tax Credit?
The E-BIKE Act has a good chance of passing, but will it encourage more consumers to go electric? While Europeans have been encouraged to buy e-vehicles thanks to new legislations, and government subsidies for EVs, would America do the same? Not surprisingly, an overwhelming percentage of Americans prefer gasoline vehicles. Right now, EVs make up less than 2% of new-vehicle sales in the US. While numerous automakers are embracing electric vehicles as their future, promising to end production of gas-fueled cars and trucks by the 2030s, consumers are still dragging their feet. They have lots of reasons: the high price of EVs, the lack of charging stations in many areas, the limits on range and charging times. For most Americans, the timing just isn’t right for the purchase of an EV, yet.
EV sales have taken off in Europe, and eBike sales are enormous in China, because gas-powered small vehicles are already illegal in most Chinese cities. To walk on the streets of Shanghai is to experience the future of the West, as most light vehicles zipping through the city are already electric, even shaggy 3-wheel lumber haulers that in previous centuries were horse-drawn, then powered by smoky two-stroke engines in the 20th Century. Today Shanghai's streets are relatively quiet, and the air is free of exhaust smoke, which compares extremely favorably to a walk through Paris in the summer, where every stoplight becomes a drag race for dozens of small two-stroke scooters, that fill the air with a noxious, eye-watering cloud.
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It's Fuell Not Buell
Riders the world over were ecstatic when news broke that Buell Motorcycles has resurfaced. But despite that company’s pioneering ploys for the future, it will go forth without its founder, Erik Buell. Buell Motorcycle’s story is surely a wild ride. The company was created in the early 1980s by former road-racer Erik Buell. The machines bearing his name boasted advanced chassis built from Erik's racing experience, and air-cooled engines manufactured by Harley-Davidson. In spite of the brand’s initial success, it struggled after 2009. The company, becoming a division of Harley-Davidson in 1993, was closed down by the (non-riding) CEO of Harley-Davidson during the Great Recession. The same man who publicly wondered why people ride sports bikes shut down one of the most innovative lines of sporting motorcycles seen in decades. Michigan-based Liquid Asset Partners (LAP), a specialist in dismantling and selling off corporate properties, was hired to liquidate Buell’s assets.
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The Current News: MicroMobility by LEF
Need a comfortable, convenient, and eco-conscious way to get around town? The LEF by EV Mobility provides a sleek solution to short trips that will surely crush the e-bike/car combination chimera. The Dutch three-wheeled product features a cocooned cockpit designed to comfortably accommodate one passenger. A clear canopy ensures the occupant is weather-protected while the three 10Ah lithium-iron battery capacity promises a maximum range of 60 miles (90 kilometers) per charge. The LEF can reach a top speed of 16 mph/25 km, making it the perfect personal mobility machine for urban dwellers.
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: EV 'Bush Bikes' Protecting Wildlife
Back in December, Sweden-based EV motorcycle manufacturer, CAKE, announced that it would do its part to help combat endangered wildlife poaching in Africa with a line of silent solar-charged “bush bikes.” A team of CAKE, Goal Zero (maker of off-grid solar-charging products), and the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC - a private college specializing in conservation education and training), have combined to put an end to rhino poaching.
Not only is CAKE working to protect endangered wildlife in Africa, but the EV motorbike manufacturer is also collaborating with Dometic to revolutionize food delivery services. Called The Dometic Food Delivery Box, the temperature-controlled electric-powered box will keep delicious meals at the perfect temperature during the “last mile” of the delivery journey. The delivery rider will also be able to keep a close eye on the food’s temperature through a connectivity feature.
![](https://thevintagent.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contributor-The-Vintagent-Stephanie-Weaver.jpg)
The Current News: Guido Comes to America
When most folks think about electric motorcycles, a reliable, eco-friendly method of transportation typically comes to mind. An art form doesn’t. The Guido EV motorcycle concept is looking to change all of that. Inspired by the Rolls Royce 130EX concept with fully-covered fenders and named after the 17th-century Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni, the Guido puts form and aesthetics above everything else. Vlad Belyakov of Box39, a custom motorcycle workshop in Moscow, is the main designer and fabricator behind the Guido. He has drawn worldwide recognition for his heavily modified Harley-Davidsons, which feature parts milled on modern Haas 5-axis machinery. The Guido concept was originally built by request for a Haas machinery dealer located in eastern Europe, for the purpose of showcasing what the machinery can do.
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Serial 1 E-Bike: Harley-Davidson’s Past and Present
Get your motor runnin’, err, make that charging.
A few weeks ago, Harley-Davidson’s spinoff brand, Serial 1, announced that they would be taking pre-orders for their new e-bike portfolio. According to Aaron Frank, Brand Director, the initial product offerings will be targeted toward casual recreational riders and urban commuters. Available in four different models, the battery-powered bikes will have a price range of $3,399 to $4,999, and will be available in America and Germany next year, with additional countries to be added as they support new growth opportunities. But with an iconic name like Harley-Davidson, why would the Serial 1 brand branch off?
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The Current News: Spanish Classic Magic
Remember the iconic 1968 Bultaco Pursang 250 MKII that Peter Fonda straddled in Easy Rider? Well, wipe that bike of a bygone era clear from your mind. It has now been resurrected and revamped as an e-bike by Spanish motorcycle manufacturer, PURSANG. The bike’s rebirth is due to the tireless love and labor of Jim Palau-Ribes. According to the company’s CMO, Oriol Renart, Jim used to ride Pursang motocross bikes when he was younger and developed a deep adoration for the brand.
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Elektrafuture 2020
A First-of-Its-Kind Electric Motocross Race Series in Saint Tropez, France
In early September, motorcycle connoisseurs Oliver Le Quellec and Vincent Prat (founder of Wheels and Waves), hosted a world-premiere motocross race for electric bikes in the heart of Saint Tropez, France featuring the motorcycles of Swedish company CAKE.
Past future Perfect by Sebastien Zanella
The chic coastal town nestled on the banks of the French Riviera first became famous in the 1950’s with the release of the iconic film God Created Woman, featuring the smoldering Brigitte Bardot. Saint Tropez has long been a mecca for the international “jet set” crowd. Still widely acclaimed for its pristine beaches and bustling nightlife, Saint Tropez doesn’t seem like the typical place where one would host the electric equivalent of Formula 1. However, due to Prat’s and Le Quellec’s unique vision and the zero pollution and absolute silence that electric bikes offer, the world’s very first electric motocross championship took place amidst bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels in the center of the village.
More than 1,700 tons of local soil was moved to create the track. Prat enlisted the help of a local architect to ensure it was the best possible track for the riders.
The ephemeral track’s main advantage was its total visibility, enabling the audience to follow the duels in detail and to fully appreciate the piloting efficiency of the riders.
The competition brought together more than 100 riders with widely varying levels of experience and backgrounds. Motocross world champions such as Mickael Maschio shared the track with pilots who only participated in the sport recreationally. All riders operated the CAKE Kalk, a 67kg electric machine that delivered the power and torque comparable to a 200cc thermic motocross bike.
“The Swallows opened the competition,” Prat explained. “The 16 pilots of a very good level offered a quality show and the victory went to Amaury Mobius. Then came the Cuckoos category. The winner was Sebastien Jondeau, who perfectly mastered his competition. The Eagles category, made up of pros, delivered a breathtaking performance with virtuosos showcasing the gestural art of the pilot becoming one with his machine.”
“The objective is to create a real testing laboratory for new mobility in Saint Tropez. Additionally, the promoters are working in collaboration with the Federation to create a real national and international championship,” said Prat.
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The Current News: Concept Z
Toby Roberts’s Concept Z Delivers Ludicrous Acceleration and a Stripped Down, Flat Track Style
There are very few journeys more tantalizing that those fulfilled on an electric motorcycle. Mating all of the vigor of a gas-powered machine with a sustainable alternative, electric motorcycles are bound to take over the market as easily as they eat up the road.
Growing up playing with buggies and bikes at his parents’ service station, Roberts discovered the world of electric vehicles in 2007. “I was building off-road dune buggies when I saw The White Zombie, a Datsun 1200 electric car that was involved in drag racing. That caught my attention and I thought that I could convert one of the buggies over to electric.”
One of the most notable features of the Concept Z is that the gearing has been carefully calculated to full maximize the torque curve. The wheel RPM and motor RPM have been aligned so that max torque is provided. This equates to 850nm of torque at the rear axle. While that sounds tremendous, it does equate to around 70hp at the rear wheel, and an expected sub-3 second 0-60mph time: Roberts is looking for a professional rider to establish actual figures - any volunteers?
The Concept Z provides a unique riding experience unlike that of a gas motorcycle. It has no gears, no clutch, and no exhaust. While some would argue that the electric motor removes a lot of what makes bikes appealing, for those who adore acceleration over everything else, the Concept Z will deliver.
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