The performance potential of electric bikes is almost unbounded, with massive advantages over petrol bikes in so many areas - and battery technology is starting to catch up with the market’s needs - but until recently, there’s been no international competitive showcase for the top level of electric motorcycles. Just this week, the FIM announced a zero-emissions TT Grand Prix on the Isle of Man in June - and paved the way for electric bikes to compete in the future against top-level petrol bikes. Now, off-road specialists Zero Motorcycles are gearing up for the world’s first all-electric 24-hour endurance motocross race in California on April 4. The flag has dropped on electric racing. Time to see who’s got the goods, and who’s been telling porkies.
Surely one of the more popular bikes on the grid will be Zero’s own ‘X’ - a 150-pound, 23hp, 50 ft-lbs motocrosser with an advanced lithium battery pack that can deliver up to 2 hours of giggles. The bike itself costs USD$7,750 shipped to your door, and additional battery packs, which charge in less than 2 hours, are just under USD$3,000.
Electric motorcycles have massive potential as a market segment, and although we can probably expect the first couple of all-electric races to demonstrate the infancy of the industry, the only way will be up from here. Bring it on!
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