Electric motorcycles and scooters 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.
[edit] History
- Late 1860s: Earliest references to electric motorcycles can be found in patents.
- 1911: Electric motorcycle available according to early Popular Mechanics article.[1]
- 2007: Li-Ion cell-powered Killacycle makes new quarter mile (400-metre) record of 7.824 seconds and 168 mph (270 km/h) in Phoenix, Arizona at AHDRA 2007.[2]
[edit] Power source
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.
50+ mph fun-ev electric scooter
Hero Electric's Optima Plus is one of the many low-power electric scooters available in India.
A scooter is a type of motorcycle with a step-through frame and usually with smaller wheels designed for urban transportation.
[edit] 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 scooter) 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 PT 0-12 mph (0–20 km/h)
- Three-wheeled stand-up cambering scooter like Trikke 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)[3]
- 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)
[edit] Electric motorcycle or electric bicycle
Electric motorcycle "Electrocat"
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.
[edit] Self-balancing unicycle
The Uno dicycle is another type of electric vehicle that is sometimes described as an electric motorcycle.[4][5] The Uno III transforms between a dicycle and a tricycle.[6]
[edit] Comparison of select production residential speed electric scooters and motorcycles
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This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Please help to ensure that disputed facts are reliably sourced. See the relevant discussion on the talk page. (July 2009) |
[edit] Comparison of select Interstate ready production electric scooters and motorcycles (55mph and excess)
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This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Please help to ensure that disputed facts are reliably sourced. See the relevant discussion on the talk page. (July 2009) |
[edit] Comparison of select upcoming vehicles
| Name |
Top Speed |
Power |
Cost |
Vehicle type |
Battery type |
Battery life |
Battery capacity |
Range |
Comments |
| Mission One PLE |
150 mph (240 km/h) |
101 kW (136hp) |
$68,995 |
2 Wheel |
Lithium-ion, unknown manufacturer |
Unknown |
14 kWh |
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 |
100 miles (160 km) |
Shipping mid 2011. |
[edit] List of electric motorcycles and scooters
- Electric motorcycles and scooters among other battery electric vehicles
[edit] Promotion
Premier of the Republic of China (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.[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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