Developments in electric motorcycles, or e-bikes, are taking great strides forward. While some remain pipe dreams, others are actively bringing e-bikes to the mass market.
The new e-bikes are promising better efficiency and range, while being gentler on the environment. Iconic American brand Harley-Davidson (H-D) is not wanting to be left out of the race, and will have an electric motorcycle in its range by 2021 said Sean Cummings, H-D’s senior vice-president of global demand in an interview with the Milwaukee Business Journal.
Harley-Davidson’s current e-bike technology demonstrator “Project Livewire” has been making the rounds of H-D dealerships and bike shows across the US for the past two years. Project Livewire was developed with the now defunct Mission Motors, and carries a 55 kW three-phase induction electric motor that puts out the equivalent of 74 hp.
While 74 ponies might not sound like much pushing a 300-plus kg motorcycle, remember that all the torque from the electric motor comes on from zero rpm, or right from the moment the rider twists the throttle. This means instantaneous response and entertaining take-offs.
What is significant is that H-D, as America’s largest motorcycle manufacturer with well over 50% market share in the US, has now committed itself to bringing an e-bike to the market, perhaps an indicator of the way things are moving forward in terms of motorcycle power plants.
Mass-market e-bikes are not new, of course, with manufacturers like Energica, Brammo and Zero all having functional products on sale. As urban environments get denser, and consumer desire paths are shortened, e-bikes, both as utility and recreational transport, begin to make more sense in a world with dwindling resources.
GALLERY: Harley-Davidson Project Livewire
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Surely it’ll get people attention if the range can go at least as far as 300km on a single charge
Hells Angels on E bike? What heresy is this!?
Sure the two wheels always the pioneer of technological breakthrough, way back in late 1800’s it was bicycle they put combustion engine strapped in the paddles. Now its the zapped electric turn.
Note: During early 1900, Electric motor is a choice along Otto internal combustion engine for vehicles, and why it’s extinct now? Electricity was not efficient back then in terms of charging and the battery tech.
What role did Mission Motorcycles play? Quite sad what happened to them to be honest. They seem to have a good product in the works.