Video: Jay Leno Talks with Zero X Electric Motorcycle Inventor
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 09.19.08
Electric Dirt Bike: Bigger Battery than Prius Hybrid
We wrote about the Zero X last year: It's basically an electric motorcycle powered by non-toxic lithium-ion batteries. The amazing thing about the battery is that it can store 2 kWh vs. 1.31 kWh for the Toyota Prius hybrid's battery (which is NiMH, not li-ion), giving the Zero X a 40 miles range (20 if you really push it).
You can see the video from Jay's Garage and more specs for the Zero X below.
Zero X Electric Motorcycle Technical Specifications
Charing time: 2 hours.
It can take 110 volts or 220 volts.
The transmission is clutchless and has one speed.
The electric motor uses brushed permanent magnets, peaks at 23 hp and 17,400 watts. There is a "High Power Motor Option" that switches the electric motor for a high power German-made motor with 10% more power.
The total weight of the bike is 140 pounds, and it typically costs less than 1 cent per mile for the electricity to run it.
You can learn more at the Zero Motorcycles website.
Via Jay's Garage
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the zero x is awesome. all dirt bikes should be like that. less noise, more torque.
I agree this bike is awesome. And in the video he says that their street bike version is coming out in Jan. 2009. This bike is the future and hopefully the bike names will get the hint that electric is the new way to go.
I agree this bike is awesome. And in the video he says that their street bike version is coming out in Jan. 2009. This bike is the future and hopefully the bike names will get the hint that electric is the new way to go.
Awesome! I wonder if it is better at big/steep hill climbing than a gas bike, since it develops full torque at zero RPM and doesn't need a gear shift halfway up. Could be fun way to impress people.
" I wonder if it is better at big/steep hill climbing than a gas bike, since it develops full torque at zero RPM and doesn't need a gear shift halfway up"
At 140 lbs it most likely does, but with out gears it would get beat out on top end pull easily.
I wonder if the use of mountain bike parts to achieve light weight will be a downfall to reliability, but I want one!
I would love a bike like this, I think this could be a great trials like bike. Looks like a good bike for Kauai. $1000 shipping though, ouch.
Maybe someone can buy a bunch and put them in a container to save on shipping.
I would pitch in to get a few of these to Kauai.
Non-Toxic... that's a term I don't hear applied to batteries enough. Let's hope we hear more of that in the future.
Saw Leno's shop on an episode of Living w/ Ed. His shop is amazing... and powered with green energy. From what I recall it was powered by solar. There may have been some wind involved.