Electric motorcycles and scooters
Encyclopedia
Electric motorcycle
s and scooter
s are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion. Electric motorcycles, as distinguished from scooters, do not have a step-through frame.
Increasingly accepted as capable, even appealing, forms of transportation, particularly in densely populated urban areas, electric two-wheel vehicles is a category that includes electric bicycle
s, electric kick scooter
s, electric motorcycles, and electric scooters. According to a 2010 report from Pike Research, worldwide sales of electric two-wheel vehicles (E2WV) are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 9.4% through 2016.
Generally, the source of power for the electric motor has been batteries
, but development in fuel cell
technology has created several prototypes. Some examples are: the ENV
from Intelligent Energy, Honda
's scooter using the Honda FC Stack, and the Yamaha FC-AQEL. Also, petroleum hybrid-electric motorcycles are available. Some examples are the Ecycle, and Yamaha
's Gen-RYU.
Electric motorcycles and scooters are rising in popularity because of higher gasoline prices. Battery technology is gradually improving making this form of transportation more practical.
Advantages of electric over gasoline
power:
Disadvantages:
A scooter
is a type of motorcycle
with a step-through frame and usually with smaller wheels designed for urban transportation.
Two-wheeled motorcycles are generally differentiated from electric bicycles and mopeds (motorized pedal cycles) by speed, with motorcycles having greater speeds—usually greater than 30 mph (about 50 km/h). This line for what constitutes a 2 wheeled motorcycle has blurred due to marketing, styling, and public opinion.
Certain models of electric bicycle take the form of scooters or small motorcycles, with the standard features of common e-bikes, but with plastic or metal cladding, lighting systems; such as indicators and brake lights, and speedometers. They are however, classed as electric bicycles in most areas.
is another type of electric vehicle that is sometimes described as an electric motorcycle.
(Taiwan) Liu Chao-shiuan
said that the government-financed Industrial Technology Research Institute
(ITRI) will help domestic manufacturers mass-produce 100,000 electric motorcycles in four years.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s and scooter
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
s are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion. Electric motorcycles, as distinguished from scooters, do not have a step-through frame.
Increasingly accepted as capable, even appealing, forms of transportation, particularly in densely populated urban areas, electric two-wheel vehicles is a category that includes electric bicycle
Electric bicycle
An electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle. Electric bicycles typically cost between and , use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to...
s, electric kick scooter
Electric kick scooter
An electric kick scooter is a small platform with two or more wheels that is propelled by an electric motor. Besides the motor, propulsion can also happen by the rider, pushing off to the ground.- Overview :...
s, electric motorcycles, and electric scooters. According to a 2010 report from Pike Research, worldwide sales of electric two-wheel vehicles (E2WV) are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate
Compound annual growth rate
Compound annual growth rate is a business and investing specific term for the smoothed annualized gain of an investment over a given time period...
(CAGR) of 9.4% through 2016.
History
- Late 1860s: Earliest references to electric motorcycles can be found in patents.
- 1911: Electric motorcycle available according to early Popular Mechanics article.
- 2007: Li-Ion cell-powered KillacycleKillacycleThe KillaCycle is an electrically powered motorcycle purpose-built for drag racing. It was built and is managed by a small motorworks team owned and run by Bill Dubé...
makes new quarter mile (400-metre) record of 7.824 seconds and 168 mph (270 km/h) in Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
at AHDRA 2007.
Power source
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
, but development in fuel cell
Fuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
technology has created several prototypes. Some examples are: the ENV
ENV
The ENV is an electric motorcycle prototype powered by an hydrogen fuel cell. It is being developed by Intelligent Energy, a British company.-Specifications:...
from Intelligent Energy, Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
's scooter using the Honda FC Stack, and the Yamaha FC-AQEL. Also, petroleum hybrid-electric motorcycles are available. Some examples are the Ecycle, and Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
's Gen-RYU.
Advantages and disadvantages
Electric motorcycles and scooters are rising in popularity because of higher gasoline prices. Battery technology is gradually improving making this form of transportation more practical.
Advantages of electric over gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
power:
- The fuel costs for electric power are approximately 25% the cost of gasoline power (US, mid-2008; see Electric car running costs for the calculation)
- Nearly silent
- Better acceleration characteristics than the conventional motorcycles in the same speed category
- Some motorcycles have a removable lithium ion batteries that can be charged using any 120/230V outlet outside of the motorcycle
- Environmental friendly (no exhausted gases at point of use)
- Carbon taxCarbon taxA carbon tax is an environmental tax levied on the carbon content of fuels. It is a form of carbon pricing. Carbon is present in every hydrocarbon fuel and is released as carbon dioxide when they are burnt. In contrast, non-combustion energy sources—wind, sunlight, hydropower, and nuclear—do not...
and vehicle registrationVehicle registrationVehicle registration is the compulsory registration of a vehicle with a government authority. Vehicle registration's purpose is to establish clear ownership and to tax motorists or vehicle owners....
tax exemption in some countries - No parking/congestion charges in some countries
- No road tax in some countries
- Using grid power to charge batteries causes less pollution than gasoline scooters; (MIT wheel to well analysis of EVs) the amount of emissions and residues caused depends on the sources of the electricity used
- No trips needed to a gas station—can be recharged at home or in charging stationCharging stationAn electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
s. But charging or battery swapping in service stations, when needed, are faster - It can be used in a V2G system
- Lower maintenance costs and fewer maintenance activities
- Can be ridden indoors
- More affordable than electric cars
- Many models dispense with a transmission or the need to shift gears, simplifying operation
- Instant on / no warm-up time
- Much lower amount of heat given off by motor than is typical for some internal combustion motorcycle engines
- Up front costs may be higher than for a comparable gasoline powered motorcycle or scooter depending of the battery type used.
- Shorter range before recharging.
- Longer "fill up" or recharge time.
- Lower maximum speed at similar price points.
- Electric power outlets are often not conveniently located near streets or driveways.
- Battery capacity can be as low as 20% on a cold winter day with -20 °C. This disadvantage could be solved by using a lithium batteries which hold their capacity even in a cold weather.
- As it is already difficult for motorcycles to be "noticed" by drivers of cars and trucks, the loss of characteristic engine noise might make riding these even more dangerousMotorcycle safetyMotorcycle safety concerns many aspects of vehicle and equipment design as well as operator skill and training that are unique to motorcycle riding.-Accident rates:...
than their internal combustion engineInternal combustion engineThe internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
powered counterparts. - The user has to take care of the batteries even when the motorcycle is not in use
Types
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
is a type of motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
with a step-through frame and usually with smaller wheels designed for urban transportation.
Various types of scooters
Scooters are divided into categories as per the particular niche that they are designed to operate in and speed requirements:- Two-wheeled high speed seated scooters separated from motorcycles by swing-through space in chassis 0-72 mph (0–116 km/h)
- Two-wheeled Stand-up scooters (like a kick scooterKick scooterA kick scooter or push scooter, originally scooter, is a human-powered vehicle with a handlebar, deck and wheels that is propelled by a rider pushing off the ground. The most common scooters today have two hard small wheels, are made primarily of aluminium and fold for convenience...
) 0-25 mph (0–40 km/h) - Two-wheeled Seated scooters 0-25 mph (0–40 km/h)
- Two-wheeled, side-by-side stand-up scooters like manufactured by Segway PTSegway PTThe Segway PT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation machine invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name "Segway" is a homophone of "segue" while "PT" denotes personal transporter....
0-12 mph (0–20 km/h) - Three-wheeled stand-up cambering scooter like TrikkeTrikkethumb|The Trikke works by shifting body weightThe Trikke three-wheeled cambering vehicles are human powered machines that utilize Trikke Tech’s patented technology to allow a rider to propel a chainless, pedal-less device forward without ever touching foot to ground...
Tribred (3CV 3-point carving vehicle) 18 mph (28 km/h) with dynamic suspension and front wheel drive - Three-wheeled standup scooters 0-15 mph (0–25 km/h) (i.e. Easyglider X6)
- Three- and four-wheeled Mobility scooter (disability riders) 0-10 mph (0–15 km/h)
- Three- and four-wheeled Seated scooters/golf carts 0-25 mph (0–40 km/h)
Electric motorcycle or electric bicycle
Certain models of electric bicycle take the form of scooters or small motorcycles, with the standard features of common e-bikes, but with plastic or metal cladding, lighting systems; such as indicators and brake lights, and speedometers. They are however, classed as electric bicycles in most areas.
Self-balancing unicycle
The Uno dicycleDicycle (vehicle)
A dicycle is a vehicle with two wheels side by side, unlike single-track vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, which have one wheel followed by another....
is another type of electric vehicle that is sometimes described as an electric motorcycle.
Comparison of select production residential speed electric scooters and motorcycles
| Name | Top Speed | Power | Cost | Vehicle type | Battery type | Battery life | Battery capacity | Range | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modenas CTric | 80 kph | 3.6 kW (ratified as 1.0 kW) | RM Malaysian ringgit The Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen... 4,888 (≈$1,629) |
Underbone Underbone An underbone is a small motorcycle built on a frame consisting mostly of one large diameter tubular component.The stylistic difference between a motorcycle and an underbone is considerable and they are sometimes known as "step-throughs" or even marketed as scooters in the West.The fuel tank... |
Nano-gel batteries VRLA battery A VRLA battery is a type of low-maintenance lead–acid rechargeable battery. Because of their construction, VRLA batteries do not require regular addition of water to the cells.... , 5 x 12 V |
2 years | 20 A·h Ampere-hour An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second... |
60 km @ 30 km/h | Modenas CTric |
| ZAP Xebra | 40 mph (65 km/h) | $10,000 | 3 Wheel | Lead acid | 3 years | 25 miles at 30 mph (40 km at 50 km/h) | review | ||
| Zero X Zero X The Zero X is an electric motorcycle manufactured by Zero Motorcycles.-Specifications:The wheels are driven by hardened steel 420 chain and direct drive gearing.Braking is performed by six-piston calipers per axle, with front rotor.... |
17.4 kW 23 HP | High Power $9295 Standard $7495 | Off-road Motorcycle | Patent-pending lithium ion array | ? | 2 kWh | 40 miles (64.4 km) 2hrs | Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells high performance electric motorcycles. Formerly Electricross, it was started in 2006 near Santa Cruz, California in Scotts Valley. The company was founded by Neal Saiki who is a former NASA engineer and has also won numerous design awards in... |
|
| Zero MX | 17.4 kW 23 HP | High Power $9950 Standard $8295 | Off-road Motorcycle | Patent-pending lithium ion array | ? | 2 kWh | 40 miles (64.4 km) 2hrs | Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells high performance electric motorcycles. Formerly Electricross, it was started in 2006 near Santa Cruz, California in Scotts Valley. The company was founded by Neal Saiki who is a former NASA engineer and has also won numerous design awards in... |
Comparison of select Interstate ready production electric scooters and motorcycles (55mph and excess)
| Name | Top Speed | Power | Cost | Vehicle type | Battery type | Battery life | Battery capacity | Range | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brammo Enertia Brammo Enertia The Enertia is an electric motorcycle designed and sold by Brammo, Inc. It uses a Lithium iron phosphate battery, and is intended as a commuter vehicle. Enertia motorcycles first went on sale in late July 2009, and began selling at Best Buy in August 2009.... |
60+ mph (96+ km/h) | 13 kW @ 4500 rpm | $7,995 | Motorcycle | 6 Lithium iron phosphate Lithium iron phosphate battery The lithium iron phosphate battery, also called LFP battery, is a type of rechargeable battery, specifically a lithium-ion battery, which uses LiFePO4 as a cathode material.-History:... by Valence Valence Technology Valence Technology, Inc. develops and manufactures advanced lithium iron phosphate cathode materials as well as programmable battery modules and trays. Valence's products are used in electric vehicle and Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles such as cars, scooters, motorbikes, commercial vehicles such... |
20,000 miles (32,000 km) | 2.85 kWh Watt-hour The kilowatt hour, or kilowatt-hour, is a unit of energy equal to 1000 watt hours or 3.6 megajoules.For constant power, energy in watt hours is the product of power in watts and time in hours... |
50+ miles (80+ kilometres) | Currently available at select Best Buy stores and online. |
| Zero S Zero S The Zero S is an electric motorcycle manufactured by Zero Motorcycles.On 23 April 2009 the company announced it would establish a distribution network in the Canadian market while getting regulatory approval for selling the motorcycle in Canada... |
? | $9995 | Supermoto | Patent-pending lithium ion array | ? | 4 kWh | 60 miles (96.6 km) | Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells high performance electric motorcycles. Formerly Electricross, it was started in 2006 near Santa Cruz, California in Scotts Valley. The company was founded by Neal Saiki who is a former NASA engineer and has also won numerous design awards in... |
|
| Zero DS | 26 hp | $9995 | Dual-Sport | Patent-pending lithium ion array | ? | 4 kWh | 60 miles (96.6 km) | Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Zero Motorcycles Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells high performance electric motorcycles. Formerly Electricross, it was started in 2006 near Santa Cruz, California in Scotts Valley. The company was founded by Neal Saiki who is a former NASA engineer and has also won numerous design awards in... |
|
| Vectrix Vectrix Vectrix is an electric vehicle company based in Middletown, Rhode Island, United States, with research and development facilities in New Bedford, Massachusetts... VX-1 |
68 mph (100 km/h) | 20 kW | $8,800 | Scooter | Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) Nickel metal hydride battery A nickel–metal hydride cell, abbreviated NiMH, is a type of rechargeable battery similar to the nickel–cadmium cell. The NiMH battery uses a hydrogen-absorbing alloy for the negative electrode instead of cadmium. As in NiCd cells, the positive electrode is nickel oxyhydroxide... provided by GP Batteries |
10 years or 50,000 miles / 80,000 km | 30 A·h Ampere-hour An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second... , 3.7 kW·h Watt-hour The kilowatt hour, or kilowatt-hour, is a unit of energy equal to 1000 watt hours or 3.6 megajoules.For constant power, energy in watt hours is the product of power in watts and time in hours... |
68 miles @ 25 mph (110 km @ 40 km/h) | Review |
Comparison of select upcoming vehicles
| Name | Top Speed | Power | Cost | Vehicle type | Battery type | Battery life | Battery capacity | Range | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptera 2e Aptera 2 Series The Aptera 2 Series is an upcoming high-efficiency passenger three-wheeled automobile produced by Aptera Motors. The California-based company opened a pre-ordering process for residents of California, but stopped taking deposits in July 2011, and on August 12, 2011, Aptera announced it will return... |
85 mph (135 km/h) | 30 kW | $27,000 | 3 Wheel | Lithium Phosphate, unknown manufacturer | N/A | 13 kWh Watt-hour The kilowatt hour, or kilowatt-hour, is a unit of energy equal to 1000 watt hours or 3.6 megajoules.For constant power, energy in watt hours is the product of power in watts and time in hours... |
120 miles (190 km) | No production date currently announced. |
| Mission One PLE Mission Motors Mission Motors is an American company founded in 2007 in San Francisco, California. The company was originally founded with the aim of creating high-performance, electric motorcycles, but later became a supplier of electric vehicle components.-History:... |
150 mph (240 km/h) | 101 kW (136hp) | $68,995 | 2 Wheel | Lithium-ion, unknown manufacturer | Unknown | 14 kWh Watt-hour The kilowatt hour, or kilowatt-hour, is a unit of energy equal to 1000 watt hours or 3.6 megajoules.For constant power, energy in watt hours is the product of power in watts and time in hours... |
150 miles (240 km) | Shipping Q2 2011. |
| Brammo Empulse 10.0 | 100 mph (160 km/h) | 40kW | $13,995 | 2 Wheel | Proprietary Lithium-ion | Unknown | 10 kWh Watt-hour The kilowatt hour, or kilowatt-hour, is a unit of energy equal to 1000 watt hours or 3.6 megajoules.For constant power, energy in watt hours is the product of power in watts and time in hours... |
100 miles (160 km) | Shipping mid 2011. |
List of electric motorcycles and scooters
- Electric motorcycles and scooters among other battery electric vehicles
Promotion
Premier of the Republic of ChinaRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan) Liu Chao-shiuan
Liu Chao-shiuan
Liu Chao-shiuan is a Taiwanese educator and politician. He is a former president of the National Tsing Hua University and Soochow University and a former Premier of the Republic of China.-Biography:...
said that the government-financed Industrial Technology Research Institute
Industrial Technology Research Institute
The Industrial Technology Research Institute is a non-profit research institute located in Taiwan under the supervision of the Republic of China Ministry of Economic Affairs. It conducts research and development in applied technologies to advance private sector growth...
(ITRI) will help domestic manufacturers mass-produce 100,000 electric motorcycles in four years.
See also
- Electric bicycleElectric bicycleAn electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle. Electric bicycles typically cost between and , use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to...
- Electric dragbikeElectric dragbikeAn electric dragbike, is an electric motorcycle used for drag racing.Electric dragsters have come of age with new developments in battery and motor technology. Electric motors powered by lithium cells can deliver power-to-weight ratios similar to high performance gasoline engines...
- Electric vehicleElectric vehicleAn electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
- Electric kick scooterElectric kick scooterAn electric kick scooter is a small platform with two or more wheels that is propelled by an electric motor. Besides the motor, propulsion can also happen by the rider, pushing off to the ground.- Overview :...
- Electric vehicle conversionElectric vehicle conversionAn electric vehicle conversion is the modification of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle to electric propulsion, creating an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.-Elements of a conversion:...
- Mobility scooterMobility scooterA mobility scooter is a mobility aid equivalent to a wheelchair but configured like a motorscooter. It is often referred to as a power-operated vehicle/scooter or electric scooter as well.-Description:...
- Scooter (motorcycle)Scooter (motorcycle)A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...