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Brammo Launches First Production Battery-Electric Motorcycle; Uses Valence Li-Ion Batteries
8 July 2007
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| The Li-ion Enertia. Click to enlarge. |
Brammo Motorsports announced the Enertia, the world’s first production zero-emissions battery-powered plug-in electric motorcycle.
The chassis integrates six Valence lithium-phosphate batteries in a 3.1 kWh battery pack that powers a permanent magnet DC pancake motor to drive the Enertia to a top speed of more than 50 mph (80 kph). The range of the Enertia is 45 miles (72.4 km), and it requires 3 hours to fully recharge.
Brammo chose Valence for three primary reasons, according to Chairman and CEO Craig Bramscher:
Safest available batteries for a motorcycle;
Best packaging and integration; and
Best availability for mass production in the near term.
Bramscher also noted that “We are always looking at all of the battery/companies, but Valence is clearly our best match right now.”
At its quickest setting, the Enertia accelerates from 0 to 30 mph (48 kph) in 3.8 seconds.
Borrowing from racing technology, the Enertia utilizes a carbon fiber chassis producing an ultra-strong, light-weight vehicle platform of just 275 lbs.
We believe consumers are eager to adopt vehicles that have a fraction of the carbon footprint of a today’s cars. Our Enertia electric motorcycle empowers people to make this choice today.
—Craig Bramscher
Brammo has begun taking orders in the US for a limited production model featuring hand-built carbon-fiber chassis and bodywork. Shipping date is 1Q 2008. The standard edition goes for $11,995 and is expected in 3Q 2008.
Brammo’s Enertia is the first of a line of plug-in electric commuter, commercial and recreational vehicles under development.
Resources:
MSN Autos driving review of the Enertia
July 8, 2007 in Electric (Battery), Personal Transit | Permalink | Comments (41) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
sweet, once the price drops below 10K i will get one for sure
Posted by: anti gravity | Jul 8, 2007 2:40:49 PM
A very very cool design. I really like the minimalist approach. Keep it simple and light and good looking. This bike should sell like crazy. I want one now.
The cost at 12 grand may sound like a lot till you look at it closer. The neighbors SUV cost 4 times that much.
My own electric bike started with a used and abused Ninja chassis and lead acid batteries and it still cost me 4 grand to build it. See http://www.zevutah.com/zevutah/Cost.html for details.
I would buy an Enertia, way before I would buy a Vectrix
Posted by: KJD | Jul 8, 2007 5:39:27 PM
In California, a good advantage of a bike is to pass around freeway tieups during commuting. But, the bike has to do freeway speed. Never the less, this is somewhat of an improvement and a good start.
Posted by: Lad | Jul 8, 2007 6:07:09 PM
I can't imagine why anyone would prefer this over the Vectrix! This thing looks like an oversized bicycle frame with a very uncomfortable seat. The Vectrix costs less, goes faster, farther on a charge and looks like a luxury vehicle compared to this.
Posted by: Don A | Jul 8, 2007 6:07:13 PM
I agree with the previous poster: this bike is a ugly machine that has less performance and cost more then already gas sipping (gas sipping in comparison to a car) ICE motorcycles. At least the vetrix people got a good look.
Posted by: Ben | Jul 8, 2007 6:27:24 PM
Actually the Vectrix ($14,000) costs a bit more than the regular enertia ($12,000). I do think the Vectrix probably more practical (storage space and room for a passenger). This bike has a better battery pack (lighter) and the larger wheels should give a nicer ride on rough roads. I'm sure a ride on this bike will be pretty fun too, with such a good weight to power rating. I hope they both do well. I'd like to see lots of competition in this area. Personally, I'd like a Venture1 (it rains a lot here).
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 8, 2007 7:28:08 PM
Actually the Vectrix is $11,000 here in the US. I expect to receive mine this week. Although the Vectrix is heavier it is quicker at 0 – 31 in 3.6 sec. with a 62 mph top speed.
Posted by: Don A | Jul 8, 2007 7:40:01 PM
"the Enertia utilizes a carbon fiber chassis..."
"We believe consumers are eager to adopt vehicles that have a fraction of the carbon footprint of a today’s cars."
Yes but what about the lithium, phosphate and silicon footprint in these machines?? Trading one polluting element for another?
Posted by: konflikd | Jul 8, 2007 7:47:53 PM
You wrote:
"Yes but what about the lithium, phosphate and silicon footprint in these machines?? Trading one polluting element for another?"
That is trading one large footprint for a tiny paw print.
Its a little pricey for a bike of its performance. The 50mph limit is a real deal killer and does not seem necessary for an electric bike. It should be able to go 60mph faster with an appropriate reduction in range.
Posted by: hampden wireless | Jul 8, 2007 8:12:24 PM
Don: My wife was interested in getting a vectrix (LOL, she's doesn't want a frankinstein bike like mine). Let me know how yours works out.
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 8, 2007 10:22:01 PM
My version photoshopped
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/darega/enertia.jpg
The seat color is wrong, the engine plate cover doesnt match the rest of the silver, the light could be replace with something more modern like small bright twins, the reflectors are from a Tonka truck and could easily be replaced with little lightning and electric words made from reflective material, the rear section is tacky, overall they should have spent some money on a designer to finish it up and make it look more desireable.
I like the use of lithiums and larger wheels than the Vecrix and also I think its wrong to support NiMH technology. Just my opinion and I touched up the pick to what Id be looking at if I was going to buy one. Brammo please note that Chinese looking design is not going to increase your sales. Good luck.
Posted by: | Jul 9, 2007 12:27:36 AM
Konfliked - Yes but what about the lithium, phosphate and silicon footprint in these machines?? Trading one polluting element for another?
uhhh, don't you think to claim that its wrong to replace highly polluting gasoline with next to none polluting lithium phosphate (only minor emission during one-time production) - is uh, stupid?
Posted by: Mahmood | Jul 9, 2007 2:45:41 AM
I think this is good news regardless if the batteries are lithium or NiMH. I could easily see me riding one of these on my daily commute of 25 miles (roundtrip, no roads above 45mph)
This bike (with lithium batteries 3.1 kW hr) weighs 275lbs while the Vectrix weighs 462lbs (3.7 kW hr NiMh). I am surprised that the range and top speed on the Enertia does not at least match the Vectrix.
Posted by: cs1992 | Jul 9, 2007 3:52:54 AM
Was said
"This bike (with lithium batteries 3.1 kW hr) weighs 275lbs while the Vectrix weighs 462lbs
(3.7 kW hr NiMh). I am surprised that the range and top speed on the Enertia
does not at least match the Vectrix. "
Maybe some companies are more realistic in the test process than others.
My own electric motorcycle has a pack of 6.1 kW hr Lead acid batteries and it weighs 525 pounds. I use about 135 watts per mile. See www.zevutah.com for details.
In real world stop and go traffic I have driven this bike 45 miles and it was still going, but it was slow on the hills at the end.
I really hope that both of these companies sell thousands of bikes. However I would like to see both of them ride side by side on the same road and see which one goes the greater distance on a singe charge. :)
Posted by: KJD | Jul 9, 2007 7:19:23 AM
Tour de France could use some full featured, fast, long range and quick to charge electric motorbikes. That would mean less noise and no annoying emissions for the riders of the tour. This motorbike is not it but maybe their next model will be.
Posted by: Henrik | Jul 9, 2007 8:01:26 AM
With real world motorcycles regularly approaching 100 mpg, with far better range and top speeds, I guess I have trouble seeing the need for a slow, short range electric motorcycle at this time. Maybe when gas passes $20 a gallon or something... My bike has a 2.5 gallon tank so it still costs less than $10 to fill it at the pump. In light of that I couldn't contemplate spending 12 grand on a slow, limited range experiment. Push it to a top speed of 70 mph and a range of several hundred miles and then get back to me.
Posted by: Phil | Jul 9, 2007 8:45:04 AM
I know the Vectrix has regenerative breaking. I don't see anything about regen on the Enertia. That could account for the range discrepancy in addition to the test cycle and other factors (such as weight of the rider).
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 9, 2007 8:46:30 AM
I thought ICE motorcycles had no pollution control, so they pollute more than a car does. And the big bikes like the harleys only get around 50 mpg. Not saying that's terrible, since there are so many fewer motorcycles, just something to consider. I think it'll be a couple years before they get something marketable. Would be good for non freeway commuting.
Posted by: derek | Jul 9, 2007 10:10:04 AM
actually....the Valence lithium batteries have been approved by the State of California to be thrown away in a landfill. They are really GREEN.
Posted by: paul | Jul 9, 2007 11:40:04 AM
I love the modularity and characteristics of the Valence batteries ... I just wish they weren't so flippin expensive.
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 9, 2007 11:44:59 AM
So how much will a production version of the Killacycle go for. ;)
Posted by: Dylan | Jul 9, 2007 12:19:54 PM
So how much would a Lithium batter pack 3.7 kWH cost?
Posted by: KJD | Jul 9, 2007 1:27:53 PM
From Valence? Last I checked it was about 1K for each 12V 40ah pack ... so ... 6K.
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 9, 2007 1:47:48 PM
KJD: You're using the full sized L-A batts aren't you? Just think what a set of firefly batts would do for your performance. vrooom! (but silent)
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 9, 2007 1:52:00 PM
I understand that Valence lithium-phosphate is missing the nano electrodes of A123 batteries. That is why Valence is short on power. Also, I understand the new A123 battery has higher energy capacity than the Valence, and is about 3 times the energy density of NiMH.
What I don't understand is why Brammo did not go through the trouble of using A123. Hymotion uses them and packaging/control is not an issue. Brammo has delivered something that is already obsolete.
Posted by: Mahmood | Jul 9, 2007 7:02:52 PM
I have been following Valence for a couple years now.
They might be turning a corner.
On why they choose Valence over A123. Probably because of safety I would guess. But who cares. There will be plenty of room in the the phosphate Lion industry in the future for more that one company. It isn't A123 or Valence. It is Phosphate Lithium Ion vs gasoline.
Posted by: paul | Jul 9, 2007 8:10:10 PM
A major question here is the longevity of the batteries, the warranty on the batteries, and the cost of replacing the batteries.
Valence batteries in Segways are only warranted for one year, and it costs $1,600 to replace them. According to reports on Segway Chat, Segway dealers are starting to see older Valence batteries (two years old) wear out.
EV touts like to compare the cost of powering a vehicle with electricity versus gasoline. But they never take into account the additional initial cost, nor the cost of replacing the batteries. If one of these scooters costs $12K up front and then $6,000 to replace the batteries every two years, that is a very expensive proposition.
Further, the pollution footprint of an EV isn't limited to the cost of manufacturing and disposing the battery. It also includes the fuel burned at the power plant to provide the electricity to recharge the battery.
Posted by: EV Realist | Jul 9, 2007 9:04:40 PM
A major question here is the longevity of the batteries, the warranty on the batteries, and the cost of replacing the batteries.
Valence batteries in Segways are only warranted for one year, and it costs $1,600 to replace them. According to reports on Segway Chat, Segway dealers are starting to see older Valence batteries (two years old) wear out.
EV touts like to compare the cost of powering a vehicle with electricity versus gasoline. But they never take into account the additional initial cost, nor the cost of replacing the batteries. If one of these scooters costs $12K up front and then $6,000 to replace the batteries every two years, that is a very expensive proposition.
Further, the pollution footprint of an EV isn't limited to the cost of manufacturing and disposing the battery. It also includes the fuel burned at the power plant to provide the electricity to recharge the battery.
Posted by: EV Realist | Jul 9, 2007 9:05:45 PM
Realist: I think you'll find that the current crop of bats last significantly longer than the older ones. They've gone from hundreds of cycles to thousands. The batteries in these bikes are more likely to last 5 (pessimistic minimum) to 10 years. Even now you can get 3Kwh for 2.5K and the prices are going down.
As for the pollution. I run my bike off of hydro power and will soon be getting solar panels. Calculations have shown that a motorcycle using electricity from all but the dirtiest coal plant is still cleaner than one running on gasoline.
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 9, 2007 11:42:47 PM
Henrick says: "With real world motorcycles regularly approaching 100 mpg, with far better range and top speeds, I guess I have trouble seeing the need for a slow, short range electric motorcycle at this time. Maybe when gas passes $20 a gallon or something... My bike has a 2.5 gallon tank so it still costs less than $10 to fill it at the pump. In light of that I couldn't contemplate spending 12 grand on a slow, limited range experiment. Push it to a top speed of 70 mph and a range of several hundred miles and then get back to me."
Far better range, and it only takes a few seconds to "recharge" (at the gas pump) vs. 3 hours.
Posted by: scooterboy | Jul 10, 2007 8:35:13 AM
Given that I charge my bike at night and have enough range for my entire day, recharge time is irrelevant. Not only that but it takes less time to plug in at home than it does to travel to a gas station, fill it up and pay for it. Not many people travel a couple of hundred miles in one day.
Posted by: NeilPackrat | Jul 10, 2007 9:12:44 AM
Paul, safety is not the difference. A123 batteries are nano lithium phosphate and as safe or safer than Valence. Valence does not have a leg up on A123.
Posted by: Mahmood | Jul 10, 2007 4:45:00 PM
EV Realist -
A123 warrants its batteries for 5,000 cycles. That is over 10 years. Altair warrants theirs at 30,000 cycles. Valence or no one else can beat the nano lithium phosphates in cycles.
You are also wrong about power plant emissions. Mile for mile, electric vehicles charges by power plants produce only 10% of the GHG and pollutants than gasoline based engines do. EV are 5 timesmore efficient than gasoline engines, to begin with, and then 2 times less emission because combustion is centralized or is hydro/nuclear.
Posted by: Mahmood | Jul 10, 2007 4:49:39 PM
Scooterboy, the new nLiFePO4 batteries can recharge in 10 minutes. Check A123.com
Besides, they do not need a fuel filter replacement like your motorcycle does. Neither do they need an oil change. Or an anti-freeze change. Or a transmission oil change. Or an air filter change. Or a belt change. Or a break pad change. Or a sparkplug change. Or a tuneup. Or a muffler change, if a car. Or a transmission coolant change. Shall I go on?
Posted by: Mahmood | Jul 10, 2007 4:56:19 PM
If you really wanted to do a comparison of A123 vs Valence. Google.org should incorporate at least one Valence plug in hybrid and see how they both did. Make it competitive. Google.org is reporting about 80mpg on it's PHEV where as calcars is reporting 100+mpg with its PHEV powered by Valence batteries. Mahmood, what do you say about that?
Posted by: paul | Jul 12, 2007 8:14:44 AM
Also Valence batteries can be charged using a standard lead acid charger. Don't know if A123 can do that.
But like I said earlier it isn't who is best in the Lion industry. I am routing for everyone in the Lion industry to make advancements. I am sure A123 and Valence will both continue to make advancements and breakthoughs and that is great for all of us!
Posted by: paul | Jul 12, 2007 8:19:02 AM
Paul, what is the battery sizes for the A123 vs. Valence PHEVs? The MPG depends grossly on the battery KWh. To compare apples to apples, they have to be of same size.
A123 spec says they have 2.6 Ah per cell, while Valence is 2.4 Ah per cell.
Therefore, A123 is ahead of Valence.
Posted by: Mahmood | Jul 12, 2007 4:03:46 PM
That is a good question. Not sure on that one. A123 very well could be a little farther along. But here is a good question. Why can't battery makers come up with a good name. I mean come on "Valence", "A123" A five year old could do better than that. "A123" sounds like a really good luggage password. :) That is Spaceballs reference if you missed it.
Posted by: paul | Jul 13, 2007 5:52:23 AM
The limited top speed and range of the Enertia versus the Vectrix might be due in part to the lack of a gear reduction in the Enertia. The Vectrix has a planetary gearset in between the DC motor and the wheels, whereas the Enertia is just a chain link between motor and wheels.
The Vectrix's thinner, smaller wheels also probably help with range.
http://futuredrive.wordpress.com/
Posted by: AES | Jul 18, 2007 5:03:54 PM
With regards to A123 vs. Valence:
Valence actually sells the highest energy cell between the two of them. Their 18650 (laptop format) cells store around 117 Watt-hours/kg. A123's M1 (electric drill) cells are at around 110Wh/kg. The large format Valence cells in this article actually only get 84Wh/kg.
The A123 32 series - which sounds like just a bigger M1 - claims to have better energy density though. I recall reading that the lithium iron phosphate chemistry's maximum capacity is 140Wh/kg, so keep an eye out for a number in that range.
If you live in a cold area: A123 has the edge on operating temp: they go down to -30C, versus -10C for the Valence.
http://futuredrive.wordpress.com/
Posted by: AES | Jul 18, 2007 5:22:51 PM
AES,
Interesting website!
http://futuredrive.wordpress.com/
Posted by: paul | Jul 20, 2007 12:21:50 PM
