Electric vehicles push technologies beyond batteries and software. Take this new prototype from Roskva Electric Motorcycles, for example. In pursuit of a lighter bike, the five UMB engineering students behind this machine took a page from MotoGP and decided to go all out with carbon fiber construction. The result? A motorcycle who's combined monocoque frame and bodywork weigh a mere 25 kg (55.12 lbs).
But the carbon fiberization doesn't stop there. The battery boxes (which appear to be removable) are also made of the stuff, as well as the single-sided swingarm with its driveshaft (also carbon fiber) hidden away inside. Carbon fiber wheels? Double checkarooni!
All that light stuff is expensive, but Roskva have countered that cost somewhat by going with off-the-shelf components for the powertrain. Twin Lem200 DC motors paired with a set of Kelly controllers are said to put out a peak 94 horsepower while the battery packs appear to be comprised of Headway lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) cylindrical cells with a total capacity for 6 kWh. Combined, this set-up is said to be good for a top speed of 180 km/h (112 miles per hour) and offers a range of 100 km (62 miles) though not, of course, at the same time.
We don't know if the students are going to try to commercialize their creation, but if they do, we imagine they'll notify the world through the Roskva Twitter feed or Facebook account. We'll be keeping an eye out for any updates, as well.
But the carbon fiberization doesn't stop there. The battery boxes (which appear to be removable) are also made of the stuff, as well as the single-sided swingarm with its driveshaft (also carbon fiber) hidden away inside. Carbon fiber wheels? Double checkarooni!
All that light stuff is expensive, but Roskva have countered that cost somewhat by going with off-the-shelf components for the powertrain. Twin Lem200 DC motors paired with a set of Kelly controllers are said to put out a peak 94 horsepower while the battery packs appear to be comprised of Headway lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) cylindrical cells with a total capacity for 6 kWh. Combined, this set-up is said to be good for a top speed of 180 km/h (112 miles per hour) and offers a range of 100 km (62 miles) though not, of course, at the same time.
We don't know if the students are going to try to commercialize their creation, but if they do, we imagine they'll notify the world through the Roskva Twitter feed or Facebook account. We'll be keeping an eye out for any updates, as well.
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