Electric motorbike from India claims 500 km range
Indian company Mankame is working on an electric motorcycle with a spec that appears dreamy almost. Their EP-1 got a range of 500 km on paper, while its 40 kW motor manages a top speed of 250 kph. Their base price is 8,500 euros for a less powerful version but even the top trim is reasonably priced.
The young company from India wants to hit the country’s huge two-wheeler market with a bang apparently. Their motorcycle moves along the sporty spectrum and aims for the top of its league when it comes to performance.
The range of 500 kilometres (300 miles) proves particularly eyecatching and Mankame says it is all in a high-energy density battery made by Samsung. It is liquid cooled and the startup says the secret lies in their custom-programmed BMS. The whole battery weighs about 80 kilo, almost half of the entire motorcycle mass of 180 kg. To put this into perspective, Zero Motorcycle’s touring bike offers a range of 260 km and carries an extra “charge tank” reportedly.
However, Mankame bases their data on computer simulations so far rather than real world riding so it remains to be seen what the EP-1 will be able to do. Even in simulations, the 500 km range is only reached at low speeds around 80 kph, althogh that is good enough for driving on country roads for example.
For Mankame, also the electric motor is pretty impressive, again on paper for now, as it boasts 40 kW and a top speed of 250 kph in the top trim. Overall, the startup is working on three options of their EP-1.
Option 1 will cost 8,500 dollars and sport a 16 kW AC induction motor and a 12.16 kWh battery pack, delivering up to 320 km of range with an average speed of 70 kph and top speed capped at 120 kph.
For $10,500 the EP-1 comes with a 20 kW brushless DC motor and a 14.97 kWh battery. Range then increases to 400 km with a top speed of 180 kph.
Then there is the top trim with the 18.4 kWh battery and 40 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, making for that spec of dreams above that would be nice to have – eventually.
For now Mankame is looking to start a crowdfunding campaign in July and hopes to be able to deliver their electric motorcycle EP-1 around 2022.
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