The Fastest Electric Motorcycles on Earth
The annual Isle of Man TT is on this week, and among the roaring, fire breathing piston-powered monsters that define the apex of the super bike genre, were the all-electric prototypes on the leading edge of electrification.
The SES TT Zero is the race dedicated to motorcycles powered by batteries. In only it's seventh year, it has managed to do more to advance the technology and cause of alternative powered motorcycles than any other effort.
"...We came to see hard men ride hard motorcycles, not battery powered scrap!"
Founded as the TTXGP in 2009 as the world's first international all-electric motor race of any kind, it was initially met with scorn and scepticism. As the above quote from a spectator at the inaugural race demonstrates, the general public held a dim view on the proceedings.
That first year featured a grid of about a dozen competitors from countries in Europe, America and Asia. They all had to design and build their own motorcycles because no ready-made, professionally manufactured electric sport motorcycles existed. Most were homemade conversions based on existing gas powered bikes, some were spectacular one-off prototypes.
In that first year, speeds were modest. The winners, the Anglo-Indian Team Agni, crossed the line averaging 82 mph (the race winning gasoline super bike did more than 130). Several competitors failed to finish the race, their batteries running out of charge or with technical failures. Some didn't even make it to the starting line. Many called for the TTXGP to be removed from the 2010 race, most believed it would die an embarrassing death all by itself.
But it didn't.
Fast forward to last year, and the speeds increased to average laps just under 120 mph (a 50% increase), with top speeds approaching those of 600 cc conventional sport motorcycles. Now called the SES TT Zero, the electric race become subject to a popular documentary film narrated by Ewan McGregor, and has attracted the attention of world's leading motorcycle manufacturer.
This year's TT Zero was disappointing compared to previous years, featuring few competitors, a repeat win by the pre-race favourite, and lap times that didn't beat last year's. Also, the recent death of Michael Czysz, an American motorcycle designer and innovator who's wild Motoczysz bikes dominated the race for four consecutive years cast a pall on the starting grid.
Nonetheless, the race is the showcase for what is possible with electric motorcycles. They demonstrate that alongside simplicity, infinite adjustability, low noise and low emissions comes speed.
Tremendous speed.
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About the author
Michael Uhlarik is an international award-winning motorcycle designer with over 16 years of experience creating bikes for Yamaha, Aprilia, Piaggio, Derbi and many others. He is a veteran motorcycle industry analyst and part-time industrial design lecturer. He is based in Nova Scotia.