Personal Electric Vehicles: Page 4 of 4

Are electric cycles as fast as gas bikes? Yes, they can be. Electric bikes have competed, and sometimes won, against a field of gasoline-powered bikes. In racing, there’s the “class” issue—you’ve got to determine the proper weight and power class to ensure a fair match. But clearly, they can hold their own. As the technology develops, they will no doubt surpass gas performance—the all-electric Grand Prix (the TTXGP) is only entering its third year.

What’s Next?

The main development in electric vehicles is the battery system. Lithium-ion battery technology continues to progress and, as the supply and technology ramps up, prices are dropping dramatically. We may soon see even lighter, less-expensive batteries with greater capacity. But the lead-acid battery technology that is more than a century old remains a viable option for low-cost, reliable, and long-lasting systems.

As the all-electric car market ramps up and starts to drive demand, the charging infrastructure grows, and much of the prejudice about electric vehicles fades away, the personal electric vehicle, in whatever form you’re looking for, is here to stay.

Access 

Ted Dillard is the author of www.ElectricChronicles.com, a website devoted to two-wheel electric vehicles of all descriptions, renewable energy and EV technology, and of “…from Fossils to Flux,” a basic guide to building an electric motorcycle. He’s had an unhealthy obsession with EVs since his first ride in a Renault Mars II in 1968.  

Manufacturers:

Brammo • www.brammo.com • Electric motorcycle

Crystalyte • www.crystalyte.com • Electric bike conversion kit

Current Motor Co. • www.currentmotor.com • Electric scooter 

E-Glide • www.e-glide.com • Electric scooter 

Electric Motorsport • www.electricmotorsport.com • Electric scooter

Golden Motor • www.goldenmotor.com • Electric bike conversion kit

Hollywood Electrics • www.hollywoodelectrics.com • Electric scooter

Mission • www.ridemission.com • Electric motorcycle 

Motoczysz • www.motoczysz.com • Electric motorcycle 

Quantya • www.quantyausa.com • Electric motorcycle

Razor • www.razor.com • Electric scooter

Roehr Motorcycles • www.roehrmotorcycles.com • Electric motorcycle

Schwinn • www.schwinnbikes.com • Electric bike 

Segway • www.segway.com • Electric transporter

Trek • www.trekbikes.com • Electric bike

Ultra Motor • www.ultramotor.com • Electric bike 

Vectrix • www.vectrix.com • Electric scooter 

Zero Motorcycles • www.zeromotorcycles.com • Electric motorcycle