Zero S Electric Motard

[nikster]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/engadge...cle-with-video/

This looks fantastic... a motard comparable to the Kawa D-Tracker 250, except all electric.

Sure it still has some issues: Limited range (100km - half of the D-Tracker) and refilling takes a few hours; 100 kmh top speed.

But the upside:

- Crazy torque / low end acceleration

- Upgradeable motor

- Upgradeable battery unit

- No gears (not sure this might be a drawback, actually)

- $10,000 price tag (the battery alone costs $5k)

Nevertheless - this is the future of transportation, clearly. They just need to find a solution for the sound, the high whine of the electric motor is not exactly sexy...

[BigBikeBKK]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/engadge...cle-with-video/

This looks fantastic... a motard comparable to the Kawa D-Tracker 250, except all electric.

Sure it still has some issues: Limited range (100km - half of the D-Tracker) and refilling takes a few hours; 100 kmh top speed.

But the upside:

- Crazy torque / low end acceleration

- Upgradeable motor

- Upgradeable battery unit

- No gears (not sure this might be a drawback, actually)

- $10,000 price tag (the battery alone costs $5k)

Nevertheless - this is the future of transportation, clearly. They just need to find a solution for the sound, the high whine of the electric motor is not exactly sexy...

Cool well written article- they are making progress and are headed in the right direction. Hope that with time performance will improve and price will drop, making these types of bikes commercially viable. I can't imagine too many people will pay $10,000 for this bike, especially in these tough economic times when they can get a petrol 250cc that will out perform it for less than half the price...

I wish them luck!