Tag Archives: electric vehicles

This Electric Cafe Racer revives the motorcycle category with a modern-classic design aesthetic

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The road to electrification strangely lacks enough two-wheelers. While the electric movement has seen a whole slew of automotive companies jump on board, the EV spectrum only covers cars and last-mile e-scooters and e-bikes. The motorcycle everyone is familiar with hasn’t seen an electrification… the reason? A combination of a lack of demand, and a lack of infrastructure. Even then, there are companies looking to bring an electric powertrain to the motorcycle category, while also redefining the aesthetic of these motorbikes in a way that allows people to differentiate between gas and electric two-wheelers.

Inspired by Tesla’s mission to bring eco-friendly cars to the mainstream, Brooklyn-based Tarform is setting its sights on sustainable motorcycles. The Vera is not only electric, but it’s also crafted with recyclable materials and natural fibers, minimizing its environmental impact.

Designer: Tarform

The Vera’s design is a head-turner. It balances classic motorcycle aesthetics with a modern twist, echoing the design DNA of Tarform’s previous creation, the Luna. The clean lines and sculpted bodywork convey a sense of sophistication, while the lightweight build (around 360 lbs) promises agility and maneuverability in city traffic. Visually, it’s evident that the Vera sits well within cafe racer territory, but there’s a refined sense of design that makes it stand apart from gas-powered motorbikes. The surfaces, although curvy and aerodynamic, are exceptionally clean. Everything is designed with intent and with sleekness. The silhouette looks distinctly classical, but the form language and surfaces are exceptionally modern, from the slick tank-to-seat integration, the halo-shaped headlight, and a rather unusually pretty split mud-guard on the rear wheel.

The Vera’s stunning design is matched by its impressive performance capabilities. The electric motor propels the bike from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds, delivering an exhilarating rush of acceleration. With a top speed exceeding 85 mph and a peak torque of 120 lb-ft, the Vera provides ample power for navigating cityscapes or conquering challenging terrain. An air-cooled system keeps the motor from overheating, ensuring reliable performance even in demanding conditions.

The fuel tank gets replaced by a battery that gives the Vera a surprisingly good range for e-bikes. The motorcycle boasts a 100-mile range on a single charge, making it ideal for everyday commutes and weekend getaways. The 8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in just 2 hours using a Level 2 charger, ensuring you’re never stranded for long.

A keyless ignition system adds convenience, while a 3.4-inch digital display dashboard provides essential information like speed, battery level, and navigation. 4G connectivity allows riders to connect their smartphones for navigation or entertainment.

The Tarform Vera addresses a key barrier to electric motorcycle adoption – affordability. With a starting price of $16,000, it positions itself as a more attainable option compared to some high-end electric motorcycles on the market. This strategic pricing makes electric motorcycle technology more accessible to a wider range of riders, potentially accelerating the shift toward sustainable urban transportation.

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This electric monowheel is surprisingly easy to maneuver and packs a good amount of torque

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Creating extreme stuff from junk is a special skill that YouTube channel ‘Make It Extreme’ possesses. Their Monotrack bike made from a single recycled car tire was something of a shocker and they’ve upped the ante with another custom build. Called the Electric Monowheel this is a Herculine version that positions the rider inside the wheel.

The obvious challenge in making this big wheel was actually creating a perfectly round wheel measuring 9.1 inches in diameter. Due to the large shape, the metallic wheel acts as a base for the rubber tires salvaged out of a motorcycle and go-kart. These three recycled tires are connected to make the final giant wheel.

Designer: Make It Extreme

The chassis of this unique ride is the centric circle that stays stable even when the outside wheel is in motion. The trick here is to attach three rollers and a plastic encasing on which the wheel spins. To put it simply, just take for reference a hamster wheel. The power for this monowheel is derived from a go-kart’s electric motors attached to the tire. This explains the use of go-kart tires that are non-slip and provide transmission to the wheels without any wheel spin. The steering input is translated instantly to the movement of the wheel and so is the throttle input via the two controllers.

The current build has a better torque of the electromotion that is attributed to the faster-reacting motor. This is a major improvement over the earlier version. According to the makers, the vehicle feels very amazing to drive even though it is a bit dangerous if you don’t know how to handle it. There’s some good news for DIYers who are interested in this project as Make It Extreme is in the process of preparing the detailed plans of the monowheel motorcycle. That means you’ll have all the groundwork served on the platter for you to build on.

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Revolutionary Three-Wheel Electric Trike is like a Car with Joysticks and Pedal-Powered Battery

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The world of mobility is evolving rapidly. After electric cars and e-bikes, make way for Twike: an electric bike designed like a car and driven using joysticks, reminiscent of old arcade games. This is not fiction but a continuous endeavor by automaker TWIKE GmbH to create a human-powered hybrid vehicle aimed at providing a sustainable mode of transportation. The German manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles is introducing a drivable model of the electric car-bike, the Twike 5.

The Twike 5 is a pedal hybrid vehicle designed for those who pursue conscious consumption and a sustainable lifestyle. It is a three-wheel trike, with one wheel in the front and two at the back, combining an electric motor with a pedal drive. This two-seat trike weighs 600 kilograms and can reach top speeds of up to 190 kilometers per hour.

Designer: TWIKE GmbH

Range is a significant concern with electric vehicles. The Twike 5 can travel up to 500 kilometers on a single charge. The range can be extended by pedaling, which powers the battery and decreases its consumption. The pilot (as the company refers to the rider) can use two joysticks to turn left or right: pushing the right joystick forward turns right, and pushing the left joystick forward turns left. Leaving the joysticks untouched steers the Twike 5 straight. Buttons on top of the joysticks allow the pilot to control the lights, horn, wipers, and direction signals, among other functions.

As mentioned, this velomobile-style electric trike does not have a steering wheel, instead, there is a pair of joysticks on the side of the pilot to steer the vehicle in drive mode. The rider can shift to pedals in order to save power and simultaneously charge the battery, which is now 15 times better than the TWIKE’s previous variant of the e-trike. The Twike 3 like the Twike 5 accommodated two people and had similar interior configuration, but lacked the top speed, which was limited to just 85 km/h.

A few notches up from its sibling, the Twike 5, is in the testing phase for now. The Twike community – comprising people who actually want to drive it – has been testing “to see how it handles and how well everything works together.” The feedback is being used to perfect the Twike 5’s interior, exterior, and the overall riding experience. Twike 5, according to the users is a stable three-wheel electric vehicle, safe to make sharp turns, and even to drive on bumpy roads. It is likely to go into production this year, but the construction will be limited to 500 units. Since it will be delivered to community members – who have contributed toward its development – in a specially devised ranking system, you can try your luck by pre-ordering one right now!

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NASCAR’s first electric racecar prototype lacks the roar of a V8 engine

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Formula-1 and NASCAR are the two top names in circuit racing Motorsports with the responsibility to lessen carbon emissions in the future. Formula-1 has already started working on sustainable fuels that have minimal environmental impact. They even have Formula-E dedicated to clean racing. Now, NASCAR has shown its intent to go all-electric by the year 2035.

Last weekend they revealed their first ever prototype electric racecar at the Chicago Street Race. The $1.5 million crossover developed in association with ABB, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota is a part of the NASCAR Impact program. According to NASCAR’s head of sustainability Riley Nelson, the series wants to explore the interest of fans in electric racing and its future. The prototype has only been driven by NASCAR driver David Ragan and he has some interesting insights to share.

Designer: NASCAR

David explored the car’s limit at the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia and was just two-tenths away from the average time of a V8-powered NASCAR racer. Even though the electric racer has twice the acceleration and impressive braking ability, the overall weight limits it on the corners where it cannot carry more speed. The champion racer did admit though that he could have taken it faster, but the aim right now is to derive as many test results as possible and not necessarily risk damaging any hardware.

The electric racecar built on a modified Next Gen chassis is powered by three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors one at the front and two at the rear. They feed the powertrain capable of generating 1,000 kW peak output. The motors get their power from a liquid-cooled 78 kWh battery. To get more juice, the car employs regenerative braking to convert the kinetic energy of braking on turns into extra power.

Sustainable qualities are not just limited to the powertrain, as the All-Wheel Drive car has a body made out of sustainable flax-based composite material. Other components of the racer including the steering wheel, suspension, brakes and wheels are all salvaged from a 2022 NASCAR Cup Series car. Just like any other electric vehicle, this monster doesn’t roar when compared to a gas-powered V8. That element will only have to be artificially added in the form of sound coming from an exterior speaker.

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This electric foiling boat has exceptionally good range, smooth riding experience and luxe interiors

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Last year Swedish boat maker Candela announced its partnership with Polestar to create a special edition hydrofoil boat that would be hard to challenge. The vision has met fruition in the form of Candela C-8 Powered by Polestar. This electric boat is a major upgrade over the C-7 and challenges other similar makers with its unique proposition.

The boat employs advanced hydrofoil technology to reduce the drag by exposing a minimum of the hull area to the water. This results in 8 percent less energy consumption as compared to conventional electric boats hitting the horizon. This ultimately results in extending the range – 57 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 22 knots. Driving it around at a top speed of 30 knots will decrease the range, still, it will be better than other options. As per Candela, the numbers are almost two times better than electric boats and even compare well with the combustion engine counterparts.

Designer: Candela and Polestar

What Polestar brings to the equation are the 69 kWh batteries along with the DC fast charging for quick juicing up. The 8-seater boat can also be charged with Polestar’s 11 kW three-phase AC charging port. According to Candela’s founder and CEO Gustav Hasselskog, the C8 makes it possible to travel to destinations previously only “reachable by combustion engine boats. The Candela C-8 powered by Polestar marks a significant breakthrough for electrification at sea.”

The electric boat is well within the 50 nautical miles excursion range stated by research done with boaters. So, you could go from Sweden to Finland in just one day, or traverse the whole French Riviera in mere hours. The option is cost-effective as well due to its premium range as stated by the maker. Teaming up with Polestar for the advanced batteries is the best decision for both. The shared goal will make it possible to transition to a sustainable future.

As for the looks, the electric boat scores very high with multiple shades of grey across the face. It might be unconventional but stylish nonetheless. The boat’s cabin is beautifully tailored and the seat’s upholstered for a premium feel for the riders – something akin to high-end automobiles. Coming at $450,000 the electric boat can be bought in carbon fiber hardtop or completely open version.

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Industrial era inspired café racer and e-scooter show the meaning of less is more

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Electric motorcycles and scooters are the way to go in an effort to control emissions. The market is ever expanding with versatile options for end users and the Belin Design Office’s duo of two-wheelers show us what an out-of-the-box design can result in. That’s without any compromise in functionality or aesthetics. Meet the Ekka M-1 Performance and CS-1 City Scooter having a modular design, wrapped in a unibody aluminum frame that is bended to achieve the boxy form of these two-wheelers.

The base frame is kept totally exposed without any plastic body panels to maintain the industrial look. There’s another benefit to this as the company doesn’t have to go through the manufacturing process of hot-forming for panels, hence, reducing the carbon footprint in the production. Shredding the extra weight means the electric two-wheelers have extended range as compared to other e-bikes.

Designer: Belin Design Office

The raw appeal of the two-wheelers is quite new to electric vehicles, still, the futuristic DNA is preserved to appeal to Gen-Z. The two electric rides have in-wheel motors, meaning there’s no need for a transmission, chains, clutch or belt. This means fewer parts to worry about maintenance, reduces the overall weight of the bikes, and makes them appear more refined. CS-1 City Scooter benefits the most from this as there’s increased space to carry belongings, or add modules for specific small cargo needs. The battery is placed under the rider’s feet, so there’s even more available space on the front.

Ekka M-1 Performance motorcycle is a beefier version of the two, prioritizing a café racer aesthetic. This bike is derived from Jean-Marie Floch’s Ludic’ valorization, with the fun element in the appearance and front-leaning rider position reiterating the fact. The aggressive positioning and the big chunky tires complement the raw persona of this racer. Thankfully the saddle on this café racer looks comfortable for long stints of driving, unlike other café racers that compromise on seating space as a more powerful drivetrain and engine take up the space.

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This e-Trailer with 200W Solar Panels turns into an electric motorboat for limitless travel anywhere

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If you thought there was no niche for amphibious camper vehicles, one brand name is out and about – largely by itself – gunning to make bike camper trailers, that float with equal efficacy, a norm for you and me. After a couple of iterations in the past, and a name change in between; BeTriton has released a teaser video of its new boat + camper trailer called the Green E-Trailer.

Green E-Trailer is exactly what the name suggests: a bright-green colored e-bike trailer, which bears a likeliness to the full-fledged BeTriton 2.0. It was based on the customer feedback received for the first iteration BeTriton e-bike trailer. It stripped down some of the unnecessary elements, retaining the cabin for two and a pet, and now the ‘Green’ model puts a pop-up hard roof on it.

Designer: BeTriton

Besides the configuration and tweaks inside, what the BeTriton 2.0 really changed was the ability of the trailer to ride behind any option of an e-bike, instead of an integrated bike that the first model mandated. From how it appears, even though the information is scanty, the Green E-Trailer follows the same construction ideology.

So, here is the BeTriton’s lime green electric trailer you can easily tow behind an e-bike with its 250W hub motor and carry the hauling bike along on the water without a flinch. For this adventure on the waves, the trailer is powered by a 2150W boat motor, which can go, potential on an unlimited range, courtesy of the 200W solar panel onboard. The solar array is installed on the pop-up roof making it a better-performing and more feature-rich rig than the previous BeTrition e-trailers.

The video does not mention the speed at which the boat camper can go, but it is evident that the Green BeTriton is capable of carrying a couple, their pet, and a towing bike on a water adventure when you’re tired of pedaling on the land. Whether you are convinced by the idea of an amphibious electric trailer or not, BeTriton is bringing the green peach for preorder. So, what do you think about this?

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Ferrari Alto ANGEL electric concept is a fluid roadster with the muscle of a hypercar

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Ferrari SF90 Stradale PHEV has already set the platform for future electric vehicles coming from the house of the Italian automotive giant. The three electric motors mated to the V8 internal combustion engine of the sports car give it a maximum output of 1000cv. Going fully electric will be one of the major goals for Ferrari, and they’ve promised one is coming in the fourth quarter of 2025.

What this EV will look like or exactly be (supercar, sportscar, roadster, or hypercar) is not exactly clear. What is known so far from the filed patents by the Italian marque is the indication of a two-seater sports car that will have a rear mid-engine layout for it to have a lower stance resulting in better aerodynamics. Although it is just one calculated guess we have got just the right concept to build on this speculation.

Designer: Alexandre Bernini

This is the Ferrari Alto ANGEL two-seater roadster concept that fits right in the puzzle board of what the Ferrari EV 2025 could be. The ride has a low ground clearance, the signature brand silhouette, flowing aerodynamic design and a rear that is most definitely a prancing horse loaded with ample electric power. The hourglass shape running from the front of the EV to the rear gives it a definition that’s evoking. The air intakes on the hood and the side pods further add dynamism to this Ferrari concept.

The panoramic windshield flows to the back with a geometric body panel with a shark fin fusing the two. The cool sea-green headlights run right across the front section that has a futuristic grille right beneath it. The rear has a similar flowing silhouette of brake lights integrated right across the spoiler and continuing with two light bars at both ends. Those wheels are very muscular, loaded on industrial-themed rims that look absolutely dope.

I’m drooling all over this Ferrari EV roadster and if the real thing looks anything close to this it’ll be a big hit. Compare it against the likes of the Tesla Roadster, Pininfarina Battista, Maserati GranTurismo Folgore or Lamborghini Terzo Millenio; and every time my heart will say the Ferrari Alto ANGEL!

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Polestar Fenrir is a sophisticated electric hot rod straight from the Hot Wheels universe

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Polestar as an electric car manufacturer has taken the heat to Tesla in the last few years. The Swedish brand has proved its metal with the Polestar 2 EV, even when stacked against the Tesla Model 3. There’s a whole lot to like and the brand is evolving in the right direction.

The Polestar 6 slated for production in 2026 as an open-top grand tourer has got the challenge very well accepted for future dominance, at least in the electric roadster domain. We though, are always on the hunt for something larger than life in the concept world. Just like this Hot Wheels-inspired Polestar hot rod that would be perfect for the Japanese street racing scene.

Designer: Henrique Alves

This electric concept named Polestar Fenrir imagined for the 2024 Polestar design contest hits the nail right on its head with the Hot Wheels theme. That’s because the contest is done in collaboration with Hot Wheels. The only doubt in Henrique’s mind was if the vehicle should be a Monster Truck, Surf Van or Dune Buggy. Ultimately he went for the obvious choice of a hot rod, since Hot Wheels is all about cool street racers. The idea was to fuse the Hot Rod DNA to a modern electric car aesthetic that the designer creatively achieved with the form.

The contours are maintained at the right places while the heavy influence of an EV is not ignored at all. Muscular element also follows in with a forward-leaning stance that’s exemplified by the fat rear, both in the body and the size of the wheels. This broadening stance from the front to the back makes space for a unique two-seater configuration. The low ride height barely enough to slip through a sheet of paper means the hot rod will have to avoid any bumps or speed breakers.

The designer expresses the creation as a 2-seater hot rod with some goofiness and playful feelings. He adds that the Polestar Fenrir is a well-proportionated EV racer with minimal lines and shapes that complement the Polestar’s visual identity. Surely we second that thought and a Polestar concept of the future could draw inspiration from this model.

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NFS-inspired DAB 1 Alpha electric bike touts a recyclable battery and wireless charger

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DAB Motors has slowly emerged into the industry from its French roots, and now challenges the arena with a new electric two-wheeler. The Concept-E we saw a couple of years ago as a prototype, has finally graduated into a production-ready version, the DAB 1α motorbike. This final version matches (or even betters) the initial design and the technical specs proposed initially for the electric bike.

The brand was bought by Peugeot Motorcycles in 2023, and the developmental path has resulted in this model being inspired by the BMX culture, video games, Sci-Fi world and trail bikes. It took almost five years to bring the electric bike from the concept stage to production. For early adopters, the first batch of 400 limited edition units will come with unique design elements.

Designer: DAB Motors

DAB 1α is completely built at the Bayonne design studio and manufactured in the Beaulieu-Mandeure. The inclusion of retro gaming elements like the blue Nitro button inspired by the NFS franchise, adds spice to this future-forward ride. The company is touting a top speed of 130 km/h, most of which is attributed to its lightweight 125 kg body. Of course, all the gears and clutch are gone, so that you just press the throttle and focus ahead on the road. The bike is practical for use as it can be charged via a normal socket or a Type 2 charging port.

For the rider’s user experience, the 2.8-inch LCD screen displays important riding information. There’s respectable storage space in the  3.4-liter glove compartment, and buyers can choose to install a wireless charger designed in collaboration with Quadlock. To make sure the bike is futureproof, the company has fitted it with a powertrain mated to a fully recyclable and dismountable recyclable battery.

The inclusion of back pegs shows DAB Motors’ considerate attention to detail for the pillion. Coming on to the unique design elements, the numbered gold plate on the handlebar, handcrafted Alcantara seat, and subtle graphics make sure your DAB 1α stands out in the crowd. It’s worth mentioning the golden suspensions are designed in collaboration with Paioli and the forged carbon parts upcycled from Airbus carbon fiber. As seen form the visuals, the brake calipers are designed by Brembo, and the mated ABS braking system comes from the inhouse Peugeot Motocycles and DAB Motors’s brake disks.

DAB 1α which looks perfect for millennials, Gen-Z and everyone in between is available right now for reservations. The gearless electric bike is available in W-White or MGT-Grey color variants, and if you want to buy one, now is the right time.

 

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