A Tesla e-bike would help rapidly electrify the two-wheeler industry

The ubiquity of electric vehicles can undeniably be attributed to Tesla. Had it not been for Elon Musk’s vision to make battery-powered four-wheelers the gold standard, we wouldn’t see the entire automotive industry scramble towards competing in this new field… however, there’s an exception that can be directly linked to Tesla’s non-involment. Two Wheelers.

Tesla has dabbled in most sections of the four-wheeler industry, from sedans, to pickup trucks, roadsters, semi-trailer trucks, and even quad-bikes. There’s an obvious lack of two-wheelers in Tesla’s product portfolio, and James Gawley took it upon himself to fill that void, at least with a concept. Meet the Tesla Model M… designed to make electric bikes more of the status quo, the Model M comes with a unique aesthetic that deliberately chooses to create a negative space in its design where the fuel-tank would be, almost poking fun at its fuel-guzzling ancestors. The bike’s curvy outer body harks to the curvilinear design-language of its sedans like the Model X and Model S, and a massive dashboard occupies a significant amount of space where you’d expect the fuel tank’s inlet – giving you a whole host of data from your speed and battery level to the bike’s performance and even a detailed map to help you navigate. Pretty cool, right? And it’s compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network too!

Designer: James Gawley

A Tesla motorbike would really hit the sweet spot for the company

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I’ll say it. Tesla is having a hell of a rollercoaster ride. With its founder and CEO going through immense scrutiny for his personal actions, and for the fact that the company is grossly falling behind deadlines, and the work environment is said to be at its most stressful ever. It doesn’t help that the Tesla-branded merchandise (remember the Tesla surfboard?) isn’t really helping with funding, or keeping the company on the healthier side of the spectrum… so let’s indulge in some fantasy, shall we. Here’s the Tesla Model M, a conceptual motorcycle designed by Jans Slapins for the electric automotive company.

The Model M is an electric motorcycle that comes with a bad-boy aesthetic, dipped in red, a Tesla signature color. The bike is powered by a 204 PS (150kW) electric motor, allowing the rider to choose from as many as four different driving modes including Race, Cruise, Standard and Eco. The electric motor is powered by Tesla’s lithium-ion batteries that are placed on the lower level of the bike’s frame. The motorcycle features no transmission, lightweight carbon fiber wheels, and a mono shock out back along with upside down forks up front for suspension. Oh, there’s even a large storage space where the fuel tank would be, making it perfect to stash your helmet!

Designer: Jans Slapins

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