Electric motorcycle, how does it work?
Content
Increased performance and run on battery power, sometimes problem charging
No support from government agencies in promoting this "green" mode of transport
In the automotive sector, the share of electric vehicles exceeded the 1% mark in the French market at the end of 2015: it remains a niche, but a small niche, which is starting to anchor in the territory, thanks to the participation of major players in the automotive industry (Renault-Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, Kia , Volkswagen, PSA, SEAT) and the activism of new entrants The market quadrupled over the next 5 years.
And motorcycles in all this? In 2019 alone, electric vehicles surpassed 1% of the two-wheeler market (1,3% in France in 2020). We're not even at the niche level yet, just at the dog's croquet level at the bottom of the bowl. This is despite the growing participation of large motorcyclists (BMW, KTM, Harley-Davidson, Polaris) and the activity of new entrants (Zero Motorcycle, Energica, Lightning ...). Dynamism today comes mainly from scooters, including historic brands such as Vespa with its Elettrica. Here we are talking more about unknown brands a few years ago like Cake, Niu, Super Socco, Xiaomi.
In France, almost 10 years after its inception in 2006, Zero Motorcycles still only sold 50 cars a year, Bruno Müller, its director for France, told us at the last Paris Motor Show. BMW was then the only one to hold its own C Evolution scooter, selling at roughly 500 units a year, far beyond the expectations and forecasts of the Bavarian manufacturer and the French exclusion.
Since then, there is no longer a week without seeing a new concept of electric two-wheelers, and a month without new models of electric motorcycles.
The world of motorcycles has traditionally been more conservative than the automotive world, and also does not enjoy the same tax incentives that allow our 6300WD friends to drive in silence, subsidized by their peers (remember that buying an electric car allows you to take advantage of the € 10 bonus, increased to € 000 if you get rid of the old However, it says “Equality” on the pediment of all our town halls, but hey ... The mentality must evolve to integrate real or perceived obstacles, among which real autonomy and chargers are no less. even if they improve from year to year.
And then there's the question of price: an electric motorcycle is still expensive. The Zero range, whose prices have dropped since then, starts at € 10 and goes up to € 220 (or even a few thousand more with quick charge options), while the BMW scooter shows up from € 17 and Energica more than € 990 like a Harley Livewire. Thus, the entrance ticket is high, even if the costs of the users are subsequently greatly reduced. Zero Motorcycles claims the cost of "fuel" is around € 15 every 400 kilometers and motorcycles that require fairly minimal maintenance. Ah, suddenly it gets a little more interesting.
But by the way, how does an electric motorcycle work?
Engine
To understand how an electric motor works requires a few basic physics concepts. Did you all know that depending on their polarity, magnets can attract or repel each other? Well, if you know that, you are armed to understand how an electric motor works: basically, just put two magnetic parts face to face, the polarities of which are in opposite directions: the stationary part of the motor is called the stator. When a current passes through it, it attracts the opposite polarity: it is located on an axis, it thus begins to rotate and is called a rotor. Like this. Then it is enough for the rotor to be connected to the transmission axis: then the electrical energy becomes mechanical. Here you have enough energy to run Magic Mixer Super Blender from Télé-Achat (“yes Maryse, thanks to its 320 accessories you can make both fine grated carrots and delicious milkshakes” / “Great, Pierre and all this for a modest sum of only 199,99 euros, with a bonus trainer voucher body ") or, at best, move the car. We are there.
On paper, an electric motor has many advantages: few moving parts, less mechanical friction (and therefore limited "power waste"), no internal fluids (and therefore no drains or leaks), reduced cooling needs (some are happy with their surroundings) air and, therefore, also do not require complex liquid cooling), not to mention the main thing: no internal explosions, no pollution, great working silence and maximum torque at the lowest rotational speeds. The simplicity of its design also guarantees excellent durability. Unlike an internal combustion engine, an electric motor does not need to be heated: you can hop on a motorcycle, ignite the gas! Finally, watts ... (yes, this joke sucks, but I still had to post it somewhere ...).
Now let's take a step back: what are we feeding it, this engine?
Batteries: rather Li-Ion or Ni-Mh?
Unlike light hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, electric motorcycle batteries are charged. Therefore, this has two consequences: their potential must be greater, and their technology is also different.
Rechargeable batteries are typically lithium ion (Lithium-ion) technology, three times more powerful for the same volume (but also much more expensive) than the second technology, nickel metal hydride (Ni-Mh). Energica has lithium polymer batteries. Lithium-ion batteries also have less memory effect, hence their greatest regularity over time. Thus, Zero promises more than 300 kilometers while retaining at least 000% of the battery capacity. On the other hand, the risks of short circuits are greater with Li-Ion: hence the more complex machines, which are actually heavier and more expensive.
As a result, research is accelerated at the battery level for a larger capacity also in a more compact, and also with fewer rare metals.
Thus, the performance of an electric vehicle depends on the power of the engine, as well as the ability of the batteries to ensure that this performance is maintained for as long as possible, with a range of action.
Today, the battery capacity of the BMW C Evolution scooter is 11 kWh, while the Zero range is based on machines ranging from 3,3 to 13 kWh. Only Energica has a 21,5 kWh battery.
Another factor: weight. Thus, BMW guarantees one hundred kilometers of range for its scooter (which still weighs 265 kilograms), while the Zero can travel from a maximum of 66 kilometers (in 2015 for the small FX ZF3.3, which weighs only 112 kilograms) to 312 km (DS and DSR ZF13.0 with Power Tank, the extra battery that brings the whole thing.In comparison, Harley-Davidson offered about 80 km of range on its Livewire prototype, powered by 7 kWh batteries, while the KTM Freeride-e in Enduro or Supermoto versions couldn't get very far with 2,6 kWh batteries.30 minutes of skatingpark and hops But it is true that the latter had to remain as light as possible. Energica announces 400 kilometers of range (in cities), but in reality we are rather orbiting 180 kilometers, which is still much more than tens of kilometers a few years ago. Today, an electric two-wheeler can reasonably exceed a range of 100 km.
But this is where the equation gets tricky, as you need to position the cursor intelligently between large batteries and limited weight, knowing that weight is wasting battery ... Not easy. In any case, we can already consider the 13 kWh of Zero Motorcycles DS and DSR a very honorable, even almost exclusive value! To put things in perspective, know that the BMW X5 40th (Plug-in Hybrid) has 9,2 kWh of batteries, which allows this large 2,2 ton SUV to travel around thirty kilometers in all-electric mode; The 2016 Nissan Leaf has 30 kWh, claims 250 km of range and travels 200 km in reality.
Replenishment
A battery consists of many batteries / cells. Zero is 128. When they start to fully charge, usually around 85%, the BMS (Battery Management System) dispenses electrons. And the more cells there are, the longer it takes to sort them in order to send them to the right place. As a result, the battery takes longer to recharge at the last percent. This is why some manufacturers talk a lot about charging times of around 80%.
Because charging time is another issue with electric vehicles. Because the battery charge takes a long time. Perhaps a fast exchange system such as plug and playas horses changed in the Middle Ages Post relay races. Some are already working on this and proposing concepts such as the Gogoro or Silence models, but no solution appears in the short term.
Charging in the network
Therefore, in the absence of a quick replacement, you must charge the battery on the mains. The problems here are simple and relate to the calibration of incoming and outgoing energy flows. On a regular wall outlet in your home, it is unlucky that the flows are the lowest: so count a maximum of 1,8 kWh or several hours of charging depending on the power of the battery and charger. So a 5,6kWh battery with a 600W charger requires 9 hours of charging, but it is advisable to have it checked by an electrician because it will have to leak for hours on end and you should be prevented from overheating.
Charging at terminals
Type 3 terminals (Autolib style) have load sensing in the terminal and can flow up to 3,7 kWh. Finally, Tesla's fast charging terminals and superchargers can charge up to 50 kWh. Most motorcycles, on the other hand, are not equipped to accept these ultra fast outlets (with the exception of Energica with CCS socket). However, as with the Zero, they can use the "Charge Tank" accessory, which acts as an amplifier and charges the 13 kWh model in about 3 hours and the 9,8 kWh model in about 2 hours.
In automobiles, some manufacturers help customers equip a fast charging station at home and sometimes enjoy full support for the operation. At the moment, the motorcycle does not offer anything equivalent, but it should be noted that on July 12, 2011, a law was passed on the "right to fish" in condominiums: if one of the co-owners applies for the installation of a charging socket in a parking lot or a common part, he cannot be refused (for your account).
Luxury is space ...
Since Was never happy 1899 (the first car to exceed 100 km / h was already an electric car), the problem with electric cars was simple: we glue the batteries to the floor because there is already room, and it also stiffens the whole and then we can fill them. On motorcycles, the problem is harder and so the challenge for engineers is to fit everything into the space available on a motorcycle, inherently (hard humor, there) limited.
Designers also have a role to play by integrating these unsightly batteries. Like the Brammo, the first Zeros looked like wheeled refrigerators with their aesthetically poorly integrated batteries, but things have improved since then. For example, the Harley-Davidson Livewire is good at hiding its game as well as the Energy of the Ego RS +. In the meantime, electric motorcycles are moving away from the quirks on wheels, as they were in the beginning. Modern technology also allows you to monitor the charge level or program it using apps on your smartphone. All this allows you to find a motorcycle, track its consumption on each trip and have its autonomy in real time.
Therefore, for its development, electric motorcycles must be able to rely on infrastructure development, which can only contribute to its democratization and lower prices. This is the essence of the mission of GEME, the European electric motorcycle movement, which will be present at the next EVER in Monaco.
