Electric motorcycles and scooters

Electric motorcycles and scooters are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion.

Increasingly accepted as capable, even appealing, forms of transportation, particularly in densely populated urban areas, electric two-wheel vehicles is a category that includes electric bicycles, electric kick scooters, electric motorcycles, and electric scooters. According to a recent report from Pike Research, worldwide sales of electric two-wheel vehicles (E2WVs) are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% through 2016

History

Main article: History of electric motorcycles and scooters

* Late 1860s: Earliest references to electric motorcycles can be found in patents.

* 1911: Electric motorcycle available according to early Popular Mechanics article.[2]

* 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, AZ, US at AHDRA 2007.[3]

Power source

Yamaha FC Aqel

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 under development. Some examples are the Ecycle, and Yamaha's Gen-RYU.

Types

50+ mph fun-ev electric scooter

A scooter is a type of motorcycle with a step-through frame and usually with smaller wheels designed for urban transportation.

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) (ie Easyglider X6)^[6]
• 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)

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, comprising of 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.

3-wheeled motorcycles

Due to vagueness in motor vehicle laws, any three-wheeled vehicle that can travel over 31 mph (50 km/h) may be classified as a motorcycle. This classification does not depend on whether the operator is fully enclosed by a "cage" or exposed to the elements. Several automotive startup companies made their initial designs three wheeled vehicles, because the motorcycle classification does not require the same costly battery of crash safety testing as a four wheeled vehicle. They may find a sales advantage because insurance and licensing requirements are simplified or non-existent if the local laws classify these types of vehicles as a bicycles.

For design purposes, three wheeled vehicles are divided into 2 categories:

• 1 wheel in front and 2 in back, known as a delta design or the traditional trike (tricycle) design
• 2 wheels in front and 1 in back, known as a tadpole design.

Some three wheeled motorcycles enclose the rider in a "cabin" or cockpit. These include the Twike, Myers Motors NmG.

Some three wheeled motorcycles have independent suspension allowing the vehicle to tilt or lean, such as the Carver one.

Self-balancing unicycle

The Uno dicycle is another type of electric vehicle that is sometimes described as an electric motorcycle.