It’s early days but all indications are that an electric motorcycle revolution is about to hit the commuter market. Recent European sales confirm this, so AMCN is keeping watch on developments. At the same time more and more manufacturers are hinting at electric performance motorcycles to boost their worldwide profile.
Electric three-wheeler
Yamaha’s leaning three-wheeled Tricity and Niken look likely to be joined by a sporty variation that uses electric power rather than a petrol engine. Yamaha has already released the EC-03 and E-Vino electric scooters but the high-performance tilting trike is something different. As a hint the Japanese giant’s medium-term management strategy document shows the silhouette of a futuristic three-wheeler.
Pike’s Peak teaser
Multiple Pikes Peak Hillclimb winner Carlin Dunne – the first rider to go under the 10-minute mark at the legendary event – has been announced as riding an as-yet-undisclosed Ducati machine in this year’s event. One strong possibility is that Dunne will be on a naked version of Ducati’s Panigale V4 but there’s also a chance he’ll be on an electric bike. He’s racing in the Exhibition Powersport class, where prototypes are permitted. Electric vehicles have already proved particularly successful at Pikes Peak, where altitude saps power from internal combustion engines. Though we’re secretly hoping it’ll be a naked V4.
Chinese cracker
Chinese electric bike start-up Sur-Ron already has two machines in its home-market range, the naked sports-styled White Ghost and the mountain bike influenced Light Bee. Now a new design patent reveals a sophisticated-looking electric enduro model, complete with a state-of-the art aluminium beam frame. An electric motor drives through a reduction
