E1PC Electric Race Bike

[mikeb]

Well, not unless you build in regenerative braking into the circuits, and AFAIK none of these guys have done that.

From their website.  One of the engineers chimed in on the clutch lever....

The rear brake is in its normal, foot position - as the front brake is in its nomal right hand position, the left hand 'clutch' lever you see is regen braking - so you are right in your thinking - we kept the bike as normal as possible for the rider with the addition of regen.

[Special K]

I continue to be baffled by the interest in "electric" vehicles. There is no practical power source at this time, current battery technology will always be limited (Dynamic-to-kinetic-to-dynamic). The creation of the current batteries, be they ncad or lithium ion are more damaging to the environment (if this is the reason for the interest) than the carbon coming out of tailpipes. The current "refinements" to battery technology are just polishing a turd. The geniuses working on these should address the power source problem first. It's like inventing a bicycle before you've discovered the wheel.

[mikeb]

I continue to be baffled by the interest in "electric" vehicles.

The interest I understand.  The hype escapes me. 

[yotogi]

I continue to be baffled by the interest in "electric" vehicles. There is no practical power source at this time, current battery technology will always be limited (Dynamic-to-kinetic-to-dynamic). The creation of the current batteries, be they ncad or lithium ion are more damaging to the environment (if this is the reason for the interest) than the carbon coming out of tailpipes. The current "refinements" to battery technology are just polishing a turd. The geniuses working on these should address the power source problem first. It's like inventing a bicycle before you've discovered the wheel.

I understand your position and have been looking for research that backs up your statements to the total cost of building and correctly disposing of batteries used in electric vehicles. If you could provide links or more information as to where you got your facts I would really appreciate it.

That having been said, a number of the really bleeding edge electric vehicle folks have solar home recharging stations which makes the OPERATION of the vehicle carbon neutral even if the manufacture and disposal of said vehicle is not. Regardless of whether the future energy source is algae, biodiesel, or batteries, I welcome our awesome technological future!

[EvilSteve]

I love that people are working on alternatives. I think battery power is ultimately flawed and that time & money would be better spent coming up with a viable Hydrogen based infrastructure.

I still want an E1pc.

[Triple J]

I continue to be baffled by the interest in "electric" vehicles. There is no practical power source at this time, current battery technology will always be limited (Dynamic-to-kinetic-to-dynamic). The creation of the current batteries, be they ncad or lithium ion are more damaging to the environment (if this is the reason for the interest) than the carbon coming out of tailpipes. The current "refinements" to battery technology are just polishing a turd. The geniuses working on these should address the power source problem first. It's like inventing a bicycle before you've discovered the wheel.

They do it because it is an alternative to what we have now, and this is how things progress. In the end electric vehicles may ultimately end up not being feasible...but if the research is never done, then we'll never know, and the technology will never be advanced. You can't just pick one alternative (i.e. hydrogen)...you have to research and develop them all, leaving the superior one to rise to the surface.

There were probably people on horses way back when saying they don't know why those morons keep working on the automobile...they'll never find enough oil, and they'll never be reliable.

[Special K]

I understand your position and have been looking for research that backs up your statements to the total cost of building and correctly disposing of batteries used in electric vehicles. If you could provide links or more information as to where you got your facts I would really appreciate it.

two of my sources are Popular Mechanics articles from about 3 or 4 years ago, one about batteries and another about the Toyota Prius +and -, what year and issue I couldn't tell you (maybe there is online back issues, happy hunting). Somewhere online there is also an article comparing the environmental impact of a Prius and a Hummer, again don't remember the source on that one. I'm dubious of online sources that aren't connected to some reputable source.

What little I know of battery technology is from 10th grade chem class and a friend who was a Physics major in college. Can you name a source of some recent breakthrough the world hasn't heard about? It seems like a limited technology, the source of which is every article ever written on the range of vehicles powered solely by batteries.

Hydrogen power is another matter entirely. This seems like a technology that would satisfy everyone. The fuel is made at the pump (you need water and electricity) Shell oil has this technology now. It would free us up from such a strong dependency on oil and all the turmoil that comes with it. The motor exists now and GM has it (why our new environmentally conscious President who runs GM is not pushing this is a mystery to me). And it emits water vapor. Saw all this on CNN 2 years ago. Seems like everybody would be happy because I don't want my future Monster to sound like an electric lawnmower.

[Special K]

why my response got lumped in with the quote also baffles me.

[Triple J]

The problem with Hydrogen as I understand it is we don't currently have a good way to make Hydrogen. Hydrogen is currently made from oil (I think). Theoretically it can be made from water, but apparently it takes a lot of energy to do that...negating much of the benefit.

No research to back that up...just what I seem to remember reading a while back.

[Special K]

The problem with Hydrogen as I understand it is we don't currently have a good way to make Hydrogen. Hydrogen is currently made from oil (I think). Theoretically it can be made from water, but apparently it takes a lot of energy to do that...negating much of the benefit.

No research to back that up...just what I seem to remember reading a while back.

The CNN show was my only source for the fueling station. There were only a few in markets where they were testing the cars (New York, L.A.). You may very well be right.

[NAKID]

Hydrogen is made from the electrolysis of water.

[Triple J]

Hydrogen is made from the electrolysis of water.

...and the energy to do so currently comes from oil...hence the problem.

(wikipedia)

The predominant methods of hydrogen production rely on exothermic chemical reactions of fossil fuels to provide the energy needed to chemically convert feedstock into hydrogen. But when the energy supply is mechanical (hydropower or wind turbines), hydrogen can be made via high pressure electrolysis or low pressure electrolysis of water. In current market conditions, the 50 kWh of electricity consumed to manufacture one kilogram of compressed hydrogen is roughly as valuable as the hydrogen produced, assuming 8 cents/kWh. The price equivalence, despite the inefficiencies of electrical production and electrolysis, are due to the fact that most hydrogen is made from fossil fuels which couple more efficiently to producing the chemical directly, than they do to producing electricity.

[pennyrobber]

Yet another reason for the clutch on this bad boy.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/TT--road-races/2009/June/jun1009-ttxgp-story-behind-first-crash/

Apparently this particular bike does not have a clutch and during practice the engine seized up and there was nothing the rider could do. The clutch seems like a good idea if for nothing else then being a safety measure.

As far as the debate on the interest in and practicality of electric vehicles, I say screw electric, I want a wind powered motorcycle.

[yotogi]

As far as the debate on the interest in and practicality of electric vehicles, I say screw electric, I want a wind powered motorcycle.

I rode in some nasty wind today. Trust me when I say, you don't. 

[fasterblkduc]

What happens when you lowside this badboy at 120mph. and it slides on those batteries?