Electric cars like the Tesla Model S or the Fisker Karma changed the way people think about green cars. In the motorcycle world, there’s a similar change on the horizon, these bikes are now ready for primetime. We collected a couple of street-legal, highway-ready, long-range electric motorcycles that you can buy in dealerships but there are much more electric scooters, dirt bikes or cruisers out there. Just remember when you look at the range: most Americans drive fewer that 25 miles a day.
1. Zero SR
2015 Zero SR
For 2015, the world’s biggest producer of electric motorcycles redesigned the high-performance SR model. The company was set up in 2006 and has continuously made significant improvements to its bikes ever since; each year they get faster and go farther. The SR offers more power, higher top speed and greater acceleration then its predecessor which puts the machine right up to there with its rivals. The heart of this motorcycle is a passively air-cooled electric motor delivering 106 ft-lb of torque. Capable of doing 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds with a top speed of 102 mph (164 km/h), the SR is for people who want to go out for track days and push the limits. Charging time is varies between 2.4 and 8.6 hours depending on your charger. Curb weight: 414 lb (188 kg). Price tag: $17,345.
2. Energica Ego
2015 Energica Ego
At first sight, the only thing that you realize about the Ego is the fact that you’ve never seen it before. The reason behind this is its truly Italian design: the company sits in Modena, in Italy’s Motor Valley, close to Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Ducati. The CEO of the company decided in 2008 that they cannot fight against Ducati so they decided to become an electric motorcycle manufacturer. The Ego is a relatively heavy (569 pounds / 258 kg) electric superbike, powered by an oil-cooled AC motor delivering 136 hp and 195 Nm. Top speed is limited to 240 km/h (150 mph), recharging the large batteries takes about 3.5 hours but with a phase 4 DC charger you can reach 85% in just 30 minutes. Price is yet to be announced but the company hopes to remain between 22,000 to 25,000 € (25,000 to 28,000 $ + taxes). The bike will be available in 2015.
3. Mission R
2015 Mission R
Mission Motors is the other electric motorcycle manufacturer from the east coast of the US (Zero is the other one). Based in San Francisco, Mission builds these bikes since 2009. Actually, the R was the first all-electric superbike which showed the world that these two-wheelers can be fast and sexy. The 2014 Mission R is powered by a 120 kW (160 hp) liquid-cooled 3-phase AC induction motor which can accelerate the bike to a top speed of 150 mph. The acceleration is even more impressive: 0-60 mph takes just 3 seconds. The R model is available with three battery packs: 12 kWh (500 lbs), 15 kWh (520 lbs) and 17 kWh (540 lbs). Price tag: $32,499 (12 kWh version).
If you are interested in an electric dirt bike for your kid, see this Moto Tec 24v Electric Dirt Bike 500w
4. Brutus V9
2015 Brutus V9
This one is the Harley-Davidson Street Glide of the electric motorcycles. No, I mean literally: the bike actually uses common Harley parts. The best thing about the V9 is its incredible range: with its 33.7 kWh battery pack, it has an impressive range of 280 city miles and 210 on the highway. The V9 comes equipped with a 9″ DC motor cranking out a ground churning 125 hp and 277 ft-lbs (375 Nm) of torque and has a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). This is a real full-size machine worthy of the name of Brutus. Its weight is also brutal: 886lbs or 402 kg. Starting rice: $32,500.
5. Brammo Empulse R
2014 Brammo Empulse R
Brammo’s electric bike is a rather special one hence this is the only electric motorcycle available with a six-speed gearbox. The new Empulse R is an evolution of the award winning 2013 Empulse. For this model year, the engineers removed 10 lbs of weight and redesigned the battery brackets, the LCD dash and the handlebars. The bike has an integrated 3kW charger which is compatible with nearly 7000 Level 2 public charging stations available in the US, with no extra equipment required. The heart of the aggressive-looking machine is a small electric motor delivering 54hp @ 4,500 rpm and 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) of torque. With its top speed of 110mph (177kph), the Empulse R is still the world’s fastest electric motorcycle in serial production. Weight: 460 lbs or 213 kg. Price tag: $20,000
+1: Harley-Davidson Project Livewire
Harley-Davidson Project Livewire
You can’t buy this one of course but since Harley is one of largest traditional petrol-head motorcycle manufacturer, this concept is definitely worth mentioning. The guys at Milwaukee designed Project Livewire to get feedback from their customers and it shows that there’s a major sea change in the major motorcycle industry. The concept bike will feature a longitudinally-mounted electric motor and will be shaped to allow the rider to “hug” the bike. It is powered by a 3-phase AC electric induction motor, which produces 74 hp (55 kW). Peak torque is 52 lb-ft (70.5 Nm). The bike maxes out at 92 mph (148 km/h) and accelerates from 0-60 mph (100 km/h) in four seconds. A full recharge takes around 3.5 hours and its average range so far has been 53 miles (85 km).
