One hangup for a lot of folks unsure of electric drivetrains is the cost. Most electric cars are out of the price range a majority of the population can afford, at least right now. Costs will go down as the technology spreads.

Brammo is getting a head start though, dropping the sales price of their Enertia Electric Motorcycle from $11,995 to $7,995, a 33% cut in price on a motorcycle that has only just hit the scene.

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British company e-Motive has launched a range of electric scooters in the UK and, at prices starting from just £1399 ($2300), is hoping to kickstart a zero-emission revolution.

The e1, e3 and e5 debut models are powered by the latest electric motor and battery technology, are road tax exempt, and cost as little as one pence per mile to run.

Speaking about the launch, e-Motive Managing Director, Paul Williams, gushed, “The reliability, rideability and all-round consumer package that comes with these scooters finally makes owning and running a zero-emissions vehicle affordable, supremely practical and desirable.”

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Spectators at next years Sonoma Showdown at California’s Infineon Raceway will be treated to something they’ve never seen before - the nation’s first ever zero-carbon motorcycle race.

The Sonoma County event, known as the Time Trial eXtreme Grand Prix, will form part of the AMA Motorcycle Sonoma Showdown weekend, May 14-16.

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British company Mavizen, the outfit behind the eGrandPrix, has launched the world’s first production electric supersport bike, - the TTX02, available as a limited edition from April 2010.

The bike, unveiled on Tuesday at the SEMA Show 2009 in Las Vegas, has been called a “laptop on wheels” and is the first motorsport vehicle in the world to ship with integrated IP connectivity. It also boasts a USB based system bus that allows a “virtually unlimited” number of peripherals to extend the capabilities of the machine with plug’n’play.

According to the man behind the outfit, Azhar Hussain, “This is about giving everybody access to the best tools so they can go racing and have a stab at making history.” (More pics after the jump).

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At the tail-end of last week’s Tokyo Motor Show Suzuki unveiled an exciting e-scooter concept, the Burgman, powered by a combination of hydrogen fuel cells and a li-ion battery.

Suzuki says that the innovative powertrain would enable the Burgman to reach distances of up to 220 miles at an average speed of 30kph (20mph) - so no wild freeway jaunts just yet then.

However, the company also reckon that performance will be comparable to a standard 125cc scooter (but I’d imagine that riding at higher speeds would most likely significantly reduce range).

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Yamaha

Did it work? Maybe!

More about the seemingly production-ready HV-X hybrid concept—including video—after the jump…

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Brammo is rolling out test bikes at Best Buy locations as quickly as they can, and on Sunday I had a chance to take one for a spin at Best Buy in El Segundo, CA. David, Brammo’s Service Manager and Josh, Brammo’s Southern California Marketing Manager, were on hand to answer questions about the bike—of which I had plenty.

There was only one bike available for us to test and it only had 55% of battery life in it when I took for a test ride, which held me back from going all out because I was trying to keep it alive for others to test it after me. Even so, I managed to reduce it to 29% battery life in 20 minutes.

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Take a look at the first picture of what Honda hopes will become the future of motorbikes. The Honda EV-Cub is an all-electric version of the company’s top selling Super-Cub, and could be on sale as early as next year.

Details are scant about the new machine, but sources say that the retro looking EV-Cub will be two-wheel drive to offer riders more stability and traction.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/15/honda-debuts-electric-version-of-worlds-best-selling-motorcycle/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/08/zero-s-and-ds-electric-motorcycles-are-now-1000-cheaper/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/08/zero-s-and-ds-electric-motorcycles-are-now-1000-cheaper/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:35:10 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/10/08/zero-s-and-ds-electric-motorcycles-are-now-1000-cheaper/

Zero Motorcycles has just announced that they are the first electric motorcycle company to meet all US and Canadian safety standards as well as pass EPA certification allowing their bikes to qualify for major federal tax credits of 10% of the purchase price as well as a state sales tax credit.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/08/zero-s-and-ds-electric-motorcycles-are-now-1000-cheaper/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/17/mission-one-electric-motorcycle-sets-ama-land-speed-record/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/17/mission-one-electric-motorcycle-sets-ama-land-speed-record/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:01:18 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/09/17/mission-one-electric-motorcycle-sets-ama-land-speed-record/

The Mission One electric superbike set a land speed record of 150 MPH at the Bonneville Salt Flats for electric bikes on the 1st of September. This record sets the Mission Motors electric motorcycle apart from the herd, proving both the viability and performance capabilities of electric motorbikes. With individual runs as high as 161 MPH, the Mission One achieved speeds faster than 70% of the entrants at the annual BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/17/mission-one-electric-motorcycle-sets-ama-land-speed-record/feed/ http://sustainablog.org/2009/09/15/green-talk-radio-electric-motorcycles-with-brammo/ http://sustainablog.org/2009/09/15/green-talk-radio-electric-motorcycles-with-brammo/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:47 +0000 Sean Daily http://sustainablog.org/2009/09/15/green-talk-radio-electric-motorcycles-with-brammo/

Sean Daily, Green Living Ideas’ Editor-In-Chief, talks about the new Enertia Electric Motorcycle and new plug-in technologies with Craig Bramscher, CEO of Brammo.

[Courtesy of our friends at GreenLivingIdeas.com]

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MISSION MOTORS ALL-ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE BREAKS
BONNEVILLE LAND SPEED RECORD
The Mission One all-electric superbike achieves a two-pass 150.059 mph record
with individual passes at speeds of 161mph

SAN FRANCISCO – September 15, 2009 – Mission Motors, a San Francisco based company redefining the world of performance motorcycles, announced today that its zero-emissions Mission One electric superbike has claimed the national AMA top speed record for an electric motorcycle, achieving a record 150.059 mph two-pass average run sustained for one mile at Bonneville Speedway on September 1st, 2009. Lead up to runs for the record saw one-way speeds across the mile stretch at 161mph.

The record-breaking top speed was achieved at the annual BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Speedway, approximately 90 miles west of Salt Lake City, UT. This event offers world and national record setting opportunities to top contenders in many classes. The Mission One achieved a top speed higher than 70% of the gasoline powered entrants.

“I give the credit for this achievement to our extraordinary engineering team. We set this record on our first visit to the Bonneville Salt Flats on poor salt conditions and in high cross-winds. And to set it with our production prototype vehicle, not a custom Bonneville bike is truly amazing,” said Edward West, Mission Motors Founder and President. “We’ve all known what was possible for the Mission One for some time, and to set this record is very gratifying. It’s a watershed moment for electric vehicles and further proof that the era of the electric superbike has begun. Electric is no longer the future of high-performance motorcycling; it is the present.”

Since returning from the TTXGP, Mission Motors’ engineering team has been working hard to improve the Mission One, resulting in this performance milestone. Its top speed puts the Mission One into a category all alone: the world’s fastest street-legal pure-electric motorcycle, and adds to the list of firsts that the young company has already achieved.

“The Mission One is just an incredible motorcycle,” said Jeremy Cleland, the AMA and AFM racer who shares duties as both Product Manager and Test Rider at Mission Motors. “This is a bike that can rip up the track at Infineon Raceway, do power wheelies at 80 mph, and then come out here to Bonneville and dismantle the prior electric world speed record. It pulls hard all the way from 0 on up to 161mph, all in one gear, with incredible torque. It’s a riding experience like no other. The important thing to understand is this is not a one-off race vehicle, this is a production prototype. It is the same bike that we raced at the Isle of Man and features the same powertrain that we will be delivering to our customers in 2010.”

Mission Motors has targeted high performance and iconic design in the development of its first vehicle, the Mission One. With a top speed of over 150 mph, a 150-mile range and unparalleled access to torque, the Mission One surpasses the performance of other production electric motorcycles and rivals gas-powered incumbents. The Mission One’s design, created by Yves Behar and fuseproject, blends traditional racing elements with a modern pioneering sensibility. The motorcycles are produced in San Francisco, CA with a radical commitment to environmental sustainability.

The company is selling 300 Mission One electric motorcycles in the 2010 model year, with the first 50 Premier Limited Edition models available for reservation now.

About Mission Motors:
Mission Motors is building the fastest production electric motorcycle in the world. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company combines innovative technology, iconic design, and superb performance with the freedom of a zero emissions riding experience. Mission’s elite team of engineers is creating the first motorcycle company built on the innovative spirit of the Silicon Valley. The concept is simple: Redefine the world of performance motorcycles. For more information on Mission Motors, visit www.ridemission.com.

]]> http://sustainablog.org/2009/09/15/green-talk-radio-electric-motorcycles-with-brammo/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/13/welcome-to-klug-city-or-how-to-deliver-shrubbery-by-motorcycle/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/13/welcome-to-klug-city-or-how-to-deliver-shrubbery-by-motorcycle/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:32:25 +0000 Jo Borras http://gas2.org/2009/09/13/welcome-to-klug-city-or-how-to-deliver-shrubbery-by-motorcycle/

If artist and designer Jameson Klug has his way, his “City” concept might be coming to a city near you. Klug’s City starts life as a fun and exciting motorcycle, before transforming into the highly responsible and space-efficient, rickshaw-style vehicle above.

Is this a case of having your cake and eating it too?  Find out more, after the jump.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/13/welcome-to-klug-city-or-how-to-deliver-shrubbery-by-motorcycle/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/31/enertia-bikes-in-select-best-buy-stores-now/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/31/enertia-bikes-in-select-best-buy-stores-now/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:02:05 +0000 Jo Borras http://gas2.org/2009/08/31/enertia-bikes-in-select-best-buy-stores-now/

Brammo followed up the massive hype of the brand’s initial launch with by taking on the famous Isle of Man TT motorcycle race back in June with the Enertia TTR sportbike (shown, above).

As impressive as their racing efforts were, however, the latest news out of Brammo is even more impressive:  the bikes are on available at select Best Buy stores … NOW!

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/31/enertia-bikes-in-select-best-buy-stores-now/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/24/electric-lambretta-brilliant/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/24/electric-lambretta-brilliant/#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:36:37 +0000 Jo Borras http://gas2.org/2009/08/24/electric-lambretta-brilliant/

EV manufacturer Wheego has placed the ad above in this month’s issue of Scoot! Magazine, asking “the scootering community” to weigh-in on the concept of an electric Lambretta GP under the tagline “Brilliance or Sacrilege?”

You’ve seen the title, so you know my vote already - but there’s more to it than that.  My top 5 reasons a new electric GP200 from Wheego would be the brilliant-est EV ambassador since Tesla’s Roadster after the jump.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/24/electric-lambretta-brilliant/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/04/zero-ds-a-more-aggressive-electric-motorcycle/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/04/zero-ds-a-more-aggressive-electric-motorcycle/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:09:58 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/08/04/zero-ds-a-more-aggressive-electric-motorcycle/

A lot of electric vehicles suffer from performance anxiety. That is to say, they are green and clean, but not very mean, the Tesla Roadster being a notable exception. Sometimes though, you just want to go fast. I had my first hybrid experience the other day, and while the Honda Insight I drove wasn’t the worst ride I’ve ever had, I could see myself getting very bored, very quickly with such an underpowered car (in my opinion, of course).

But I doubt I would get bored with the Zero DS, the latest electric motorcycle to be unveiled by Zero Motorcycles. Built from the ground up and utilizing the latest techniques and technology, this durable dirtbike promises off-road performance with streetwise manners. And it had better for the asking price $9,950.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/04/zero-ds-a-more-aggressive-electric-motorcycle/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/green-speed-air-powered-motorbike-aims-to-break-land-speed-record/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/green-speed-air-powered-motorbike-aims-to-break-land-speed-record/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:04:00 +0000 Andrew Williams http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/green-speed-air-powered-motorbike-aims-to-break-land-speed-record/

Australian engineers have designed a concept air-fueled motorbike that they claim could remove all obstacles associated with air-fueled vehicles, and smash the land speed record in the process.

The motorcycle, known as Green Speed Air Powered Motorcycle, is based on a 1970 Suzuki GP100 with pretty much everything removed apart from the frame, wheels and brakes. A compact yet powerful rotary air engine, invented by Melbourne engineer Angelo Di Pietro, runs on compressed air and is capable of revving up to an incredible 10,000 RPM, meaning the bike only needs one gear! (More Photo’s after the jump).

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/green-speed-air-powered-motorbike-aims-to-break-land-speed-record/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/06/zero-s-electric-motorcycle-test-drive/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/06/zero-s-electric-motorcycle-test-drive/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:55:35 +0000 Susanna Schick http://gas2.org/2009/07/06/zero-s-electric-motorcycle-test-drive/

The US electric motorcycle market is a niche within a niche. Motorcyclists still represent a tiny fraction of the traffic mix in the country where the automobile is king. While most motorcycles get better mileage and have lower emmissions than most cars, they still run on gas.

There are very few electric motorcycles on the market, even fewer being mass manufactured. The one that comes closest to performing like a “real” motorcycle is the Zero S. This 17hp machine with 60 foot pounds of torque is actually more enjoyable than some of the gas-powered bikes in the same horsepower class I’ve ridden. The massive torque of an electric motor makes the Zero the envy of all low-power motorcycles.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/07/06/zero-s-electric-motorcycle-test-drive/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/03/electric-bmw-halbo-saves-the-planet-but-not-you/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/03/electric-bmw-halbo-saves-the-planet-but-not-you/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:08:03 +0000 Jerry James Stone http://gas2.org/2009/07/03/electric-bmw-halbo-saves-the-planet-but-not-you/

Designed for the BMW Motorrad Innovation Contest, the Halbo turns saving the planet into an extreme sport.

Conceived by designer Pierre Yohanes Lubis, the electric bike is much more planet friendly than say a petro-based vehicle. But, if the concept were to become popular it’s just unsafe enough to thin the herd.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/07/03/electric-bmw-halbo-saves-the-planet-but-not-you/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/06/30/hybrid-electric-scooter-runs-on-anything-that-burns/ http://gas2.org/2009/06/30/hybrid-electric-scooter-runs-on-anything-that-burns/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:08:36 +0000 Jerry James Stone http://gas2.org/2009/06/30/hybrid-electric-scooter-runs-on-anything-that-burns/

Segway inventor Dean Kamen is developing a hybrid electric scooter that can run on almost anything that burns.

According to the patent, the bike has a small two-piston Stirling engine right under the seat. Though with an engine of that size, it really isn’t going to provide much juice - not much more than 5bhp.

A Stirling engine is based on tech which predates internal combustion engines by almost 100 years. It’s kinda like a steam engine in the sense that it uses external combustion. They use pistons for the crankshaft, but unlike the alternatives they have no valves for no gas ever enters or leaves the cylinders.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/06/30/hybrid-electric-scooter-runs-on-anything-that-burns/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/06/24/fim-creates-series-for-electric-motorcycles-in-2010/ http://gas2.org/2009/06/24/fim-creates-series-for-electric-motorcycles-in-2010/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:21:18 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/06/24/fim-creates-series-for-electric-motorcycles-in-2010/

There has been a recent influx of electric-powered motorcycles, with brands the world over throwing their hat into the ring. The sucess of electric TTXGP earlier this month has drawn even more attention to electric motorbikes, and the FIM (Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme) has announced that a new series exclusively for electric motorbikes will begin in the 2010 season.

The series is being spearheaded by Azhar Hussein, a British entrepreneur who wants to provide low emission bikes with a racing series that will promote clean, fun, and fast technology.

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