Intriguing Electric Bike: The EV-X7 Prototype
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11. 8.07
The intriguing electric bike seen in this video, the EV-X7, has a magnetic motor built into its rear wheel. The motor is a hybrid between a electromagnet and a permanent magnet. It was designed by the Axle Group in Japan. The bike has a range of about 110 miles on a single charge, and a top speed of about 92 mph. The company plans to start selling a mini-scooter version of the magnetic-powered bike next year, which will be priced at about $2100. See a photo of the bike over the fold.
It's got range. It's got speed. It's got a very reasonable price.
How about a Lexan roof/bubble to turn it into a three- season plus commuting vehicle?
This is awesome - every electric bike prototype is bringing me closer to my dream of being Kaneda from Akira.
Facetiousness aside, This is the first electric motorcycle that has the specs to win over electric detractors. If that scooter model were in Canada right now, I'd drop my gas powered one in a heartbeat.
I like the sporty look. A passenger pad would be nice. (and a fender). I'd sure like to see this thing. Seems cheap for such numbers. Watch it not be legal in the US or some bullstuff.
Looks great, but it seems like a recipe for disaster on the U.S. roads. Since these are going to be virtually silent and sit so low to the ground, they are going to be invisible to every SUV driver on the road. Can you say "kersplat?"
Sign me up! I'll paint it red and commute to work on the Akira-cycle. Awesome!
Around here (Southeast Texas) this is a 4-season vehicle as is. Need to have a two seat version though.
Design wise it has some similarities to Kaneda's motorcycle in Akira. Similar in design, seating position, and powersource. That bike was also electric powered with a magnetic (superconducting) motor powering it.
Too bad that the company's website hasn't been updated since September of 2006!
This is old, stale news.
Hi Ed ...
The SUV drivers already don't care to look so it doesn't matter if they're invisible.
Happy Friday!
vsk
This thing has about as much hope as the recumbent bicycle.
It is streamlined for highway travel, but does not have the range. In cities, it's invisibility and large size defeat the point of using a scooter.
It serves no market accurately.
that scooter is no where near as cool as the bike. when will this bike be coming out?? 110mile range and 95mph top speed seems ridiculously good...
I will tell you what market it serves. It serves the market of Chris Taylor's desire to eliminate his usage of gasoline with suficient range to be practical. Except for my work commute (needs to carry 2 people) this would suffice for 99% of all my other travel needs. Reducing my gas consumption easily by $60 a week. thats $3100 a month IE it would PAY for itself in less than 1 year.
Thats a big ole duh! to me. I WANT IT but I do not want the damned scooter I want the kick butt akira cycle :-)
Any idea what it costs to charge this thing for 110 miles? probably around the cost of half a soda pop or about 20-30 cents. The equivalent of gasoline costs $15
It serves the Japan market just fine. Typical scooter commute here is around 12km.
"The motor is a hybrid between a electromagnet and a permanent magnet."
Sorry. Try again.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor1.htm
EVERY electric motor is a hybrid between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet.
Ahhh.... Awesome. I'll have to buy one and retrofit it with hidden gadgetry.
its KANEDA's cycle, not Akira tho it does feature on the cover of the video/dvd (sorry to be anal about it)
That thing looks like it'd ride like crap. And it looks like crap. this is the biggest disappointment I have ever come across as far as links involving "Akira". All kidding aside though, if they had modeled the bike after something like a vespa, they'd use less materials and get better mileage, I bet.
Here is the English version of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUXhJZZRUIg
Cool Bike, I'll wait to hear more about this bike before throwing out $2100 for one though :/
Going Green Rocks, The Goverment should give intrest free loans for people that want solar panels for there roofs and the monthly loan payment should be the same price as the current eletric bill
There's something of the Sinclair C5 about this albeit in terms of probably being everything that it should have been way back when. The same low profile and safety criticisms when on the roads equally applies to this but if the projected price and range is realised then it's a welcome alternative.
Wow, finally, a piece of "future" technology that is actually practical to use.
Man, they have it priced right. That's about 1/2 the price of the CHEAPEST motorcycle. Also doesn't look too bad, either.
Remember they speak about scooter price.
In any case, I suggest plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline motorcycles now (or kit for aftermarket conversions).
Motorcycle plug-in hybrid motorcycles can be made before (quicklier) than plug-in hybrid cars.
Regards.
In response to the one who commented this:
Cool Bike, I'll wait to hear more about this bike before throwing out $2100 for one though :/
November 10, 2007 3:32 PM | flag a problem
JS says:
Can you read? The $2100.00 bike will be a little scooter, not the prototype show here, this one will probably see for well over $10,000.00 if they even make it!!! The batteries alone probably cost almost a grand. Did you even watch the video???
it looks cool and sounds cool. given the chance with the right backup and suport i would take it for a test drive ,say from the uk to china or vise versa, overland to see how it performs and to set a new record ,in a world of efficient enery solutions
Kaneda's Motorcycle Concept Website:
http://www.negatendo.net/kmc/
http://www.negatendo.net/kmc/