An EV Solution with Two Wheels?
Oh, to be a fly in the wall in Denmark right now with all the attention foisted on it due to the COP15 summit in Copenhagen. There are many reasons why Denmark is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference. The country has been successfully weaning its way off of fossil-based fuels since the 1970s. Denmark is also a leader in wind energy research and development. While this Sunday’s LA Times has pointed out some issues with Denmark’s amount of garbage per capita and overall carbon footprint, the country is still a successful case study in what countries can do in generating a more sustainable economy.
Many events will coincide with the COP15 events. One of them is the Eco Enduro, a three day bike race that only allows electric motorcycles. The idea of the race is to show that sporting events can be environmentally responsible, while offering suggestions as to how these events can create the need for alternative fuel vehicles.
Only electric motorcycles can participate in Eco Enduro. Most of the motorcycles at this event are from its sponsor Quantya, a Swiss manufacturer; a few are from Zero Motorcycles, based in Santa Cruz. Any manufactured electric motorcycle or even prototype can participate, as long as its batteries can recharge in two hours and the range per charge is 15 kilometers (9.3) miles.
Expect to see more electric motorcycles (or PHEV, or plug-in motorcycles) in the road in the next several years. With another spike in oil prices lurking at any point soon, growing demand for cheaper commuting vehicles, and the improvement in battery technologies, electric motorcycles will find a strong niche in the vehicle market. Only a few electric motorcycle manufacturers attended Friday’s Long Beach Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, but based on what I observed Friday night, the buzz was there.
Why consider an electric motorcycle? No noise, no emissions, no motor oil, the opportunity to gain tax credits, and for those who lament that manly noise when revving up a motorcycle—great torque! If these companies take off, they will have a role in transforming consumers' approaches to selecting vehicles. Electric motorcycles won't be getting folks off of their Harleys, but they will find a niche among owners who want quiet, emissions-free transportation. For a great discussion on electric motorcycles, I highly recommend you go here.
If you have considered purchasing an electric motorcycle, we welcome your thoughts as to why--or why not--you're going forward with it.
Another photo of our holiday tour
Washington, DC is one of the most gorgeous cities after a snowfall . . . as we thought we'd share here!
