When we talk approximately electric vehicles, we usually talk about motors. The all-electric car market started out out as a product aimed at city dwellers, however with motors just like the Porsche Taycan and the Audi R8 E-tron, the market is already seeking to get the eye of fuel enthusiasts. It's the equal with bikes.
I have noticed a growing trend for all-electric motorcycles
in the past two months. It is clear that they are trying to convey the spirit
of the road, which is so closely associated with the internal combustion engine.
But can manufacturers really interest motorcyclists in batteries?
Just this week it was revealed that legendary British
motorcycle manufacturer Triumph, piloted by everyone from James Dean to David
Beckham is planning to resurrect its Trident. The original was the company's
first superbike and set the record again: Triumph's first electric motorcycle.
Your LiveWire bike is worth every inch of its construction.
Big and powerful, fresh and safe. Performance is there too, with a 0-60 sprint
in just three seconds. There is no clutch or gears here, which might scare off
purists, but the quick start approach is sure to appeal to the younger
generation of motorcyclists.
Freedom means distance and it's still a problem
Ask any rider what he enjoys most about the ride and he will
tell you about the feeling of independence that the open road on two wheels
gives them. The problem with electric motorcycles is that the limited range
also limits freedom. In fact, with the current state of the charging
infrastructure, electric motorcycle use and freedom are almost antonyms, and
the issue of autonomy remains the biggest hurdle manufacturers must overcome in
order to convert traditional motorcyclists to electric ones.
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire has a "high-voltage,
rechargeable power system" (or battery, for mere mortals) that promises a
range of up to 225 km. Not bad, but unlikely to allow you a very long journey
Charge with a Level 1 charger that plugs into a domestic outlet and takes
overnight to fully charge, or a Level 3 DC fast charger for 80% charge in 40
minutes and 100% charge in one hour.
The story is similar to Zero. The range varies greatly
depending on how and where you drive, but if you are in the city, you can wait
about 358 km for the Zero electric motorcycle before charging it. However, when
entering the highway, the indicator drops to 180 km.
Despite the range and charging issues we are already familiar
with in the EV world, I look forward to the future of all-electric motorcycles.
The first models we see hitting the market are doing the right thing (take
another look at Fly Free Smart and tell me it's not good), and at this early
stage of the introduction of new technologies, everything looks good. ...