Electric motorcycles and scooters

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50+ mph fun-ev electric scooter
50+ mph fun-ev electric scooter

Electric motorcycles and scooters are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion.

Contents

Electric scooter at the 2005 Vancouver EV gathering
Electric scooter at the 2005 Vancouver EV gathering

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 under development. 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. [1]

Advantages of electric over gasoline power:

  1. The fuel costs for electric power are approximately 10% the cost of gasoline power[1].
  2. Nearly silent.
  3. Zero direct emissions.
  4. Can ride indoors.
  5. No trips needed to a petrol station. Plug in and recharge at home.
  6. Lower maintenance costs and fewer maintenance activities. For example, no need to change oil.

Disadvantages:

  1. Up front costs are higher than comparative gasoline powered motorcycle or scooter.
  2. Shorter range before refueling.
  3. Longer "fill up" or recharge time.
  4. Comparatively lower maximum speed. In other words lower speeds at similar price points.
  5. Few electric power outlets are conveniently located near streets or driveways.

Main article: History of electric motorcycles and scooters
  • Late 1860s: Earliest references to electric motorcycles can be found in patents.
  • 1911: Electric motorcycle available according to early Popular Mechanics article. [2]
  • 2007:
    • A123 Li-Ion cell-powered Killacycle makes new quarter mile (400-metre) record of 7.824 seconds and 168 mph (270 km/h) in Phoenix, AZ at AHDRA 2007. [3]
    • Axle Corporation plans to start selling a mini-scooter version of the EV-X7 next year, which will be priced at about $2100. [4]

A scooter is a type of motorcycle with a step-through frame and usually with smaller wheels designed for urban transportation.

Scooters are divided into categories as per the particular niche that they are designed to operate in and speed requirements:

  • 2 wheeled Vespa-styled scooters 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h)
  • 2 wheeled Stand-up scooters (like a kick scooter) 0-25 mph (0-40 km/h)
  • 2 wheeled-side-by-side stand-up scooters like manufactured by Segway PT 0-10 mph (0-15 km/h)
  • 2 wheeled Seated scooters 0-25 mph (0-40 km/h)
  • 3 wheeled standup scooters like manufactured by Zap 0-15 mph (0-25 km/h)
  • 3 through 4 wheeled Mobility scooter (disability riders) 0-10 mph (0-15 km/h)
  • 3 through 4 wheeled Seated scooters/golf carts 0-25 mph (0-40 km/h)

2 wheeled motorcycles are generally differentiated from motorized bicycles and mopeds (motorized pedal cycles) by speed with motorcycles having greater speeds usually greater than 30 mph (about 50 km/h). Although, this line for what constitutes a 2 wheeled motorcycle has blurred due to marketing, styling, and public opinion.

Due to vagueness in motor vehicle laws, any 3-wheeled vehicle that can travel over 30 mph (50 km/h) is often classified as a motorcycle. This classification does not depend whether the operator is fully enclosed by a "cage" or exposed to the elements. But for design purposes, three wheeled vehicles are divided into 2 categories:

  • 1 wheel in front and 2 in back, known as a delta design or the traditional trike (tricycle) design
  • 2 wheels in front and 1 in back, known as a tadpole design.

Some three wheeled motorcycles enclose the rider in a "cabin" or cockpit. These include the Gizmo, Twike, NmG.

Some three wheeled motorcycles have independent suspension allowing the vehicle to tilt or lean.

Name Top Speed Power Cost Vehicle type Battery Range Comments
Type Life Capacity
Quantya FMX 60+ mph (100+ km/h) 9+ kW € 7,000 Motorcycle 48V Lithium-Polymer batteries (Quantya® LiPo) 1000+ charge cycles 30 - 180 min
Vectrix 60 mph (100 km/h) $11,000 Scooter Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
provided by GP Batteries		 10 years or 50,000 miles / 80,000 km 30 A·h, 3.7 kW·h 68 miles @ 25 mph (110 km @ 40 km/h) Review
fun-ev li-ion 50 mph (80 km/h) 3 kW $4,200 Scooter li-ion LiFePO4 6 month warranty 40 A·h 25 miles @ 45 mph[2] Lacks long term testing
fun-ev VRLA 50 mph[3] (80 km/h) 3 kW $2,500 Scooter VRLA, 60 volts 5×12 6 month warranty 40 A·h * 60V 25 miles @ 45 mph Forum pics Forum discussion
XM-2000 42 mph[4] (70 km/h) 2 kW $2,000 Scooter Silicone, 60 volts 5×12, 38 amp circuit 6 month warranty 38 A·h 20 mi (33 km) Battery discussion Motor rebuild post
ZAP Xebra 40 mph (65 km/h) $10,000 3 Wheel Lead acid 3 years 25 miles at 30 mph (40 kilometres at 50 km/h) review

Name Top Speed Power Cost Vehicle type Battery Range Comments
Type Life Capacity
Brammo Enertia 50+ mph (80 km/h) $11,995+ Motorcycle 6 Lithium Phosphate by Valence 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometres) 3.1 kWh 45+ miles (70+ kilometres)

Available in Q1 2008.
VentureOne 75+ mph (120+ km/h) 40+ kW $23,000 3 Wheel Lithium-ion batteries by A123Systems 5000+ charge cycles 120 miles (about 200 km) video Available in 2009.

  1. ^ http://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech/17837/
  2. ^ http://electricmotorcycles.net/modules/wordpress/?p=48
  3. ^ http://www.killacycle.com/2007/11/11/7824-168-mph-at-pomona-ahdra-nov-10th/
  4. ^ http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/electric_bike_ev-x7.php

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