Stop or I’ll plug in!
Jan 06, 2010
1 Comment
I was amused when someone passed on this story of what some park rangers in the province of Drenthe in the Netherlands are using to foil bikers who are off-roading illegally. They are riding what you may be seeing a lot more of in the next decade: the electric motorcycle.Electric motorcycles are a nascent market in the US right now, but they are establishing a foothold in Europe. Bikers from the Harley-Davidson school of testosterone my sniff at electric motorbikes, but these vehicles offer much potential: they have great torque, operate silently, can accelerate quickly, and most models have a range of over 100 miles per charge.
Drenthe, in the northeast of the Netherlands, has been largely rural since medieval times. The economy relies on agriculture for the most part, and now has become a haven for cyclers, who can wind through forests and along canals, taking in the charming villages and towns that dot the region.
Well, this region has become a little too popular for many locals' taste. While there are noise ordinances throughout Europe (and the US, which are often ignored), there was little that the lone policeman or ranger could do for chasing the off-road maniacs who were disturbing the quiet that makes Drenthe a unique corner of the continent.
Enter Quantya, an electric motorcycle manufacturer based in Switzerland. Partnering with local law enforcement and environmental non-profits, Quantya has provided rangers at Drenthe's Dwingelerveld National Park with two of its electric motorcycles. Because Quantya's motorcycles run silently, rangers can ride these motorcycles, catching up to the noisy scofflaws without even being noticed, and then can issue a citation to the unsuspecting off-roader. Meanwhile, the motorcycles can recharge in a few hours, and leech zero emissions.
It is too early to see whether these electric motorcycles can catch on, but the are an attractive alternative for folks who want silent transportation that emits no pollution.
For a great collection of articles that cover American manufacturers such as Zero, Brammo, and Mission One, check out Asphalt & Rubber.
And if you have ever test ridden one of these beauties, we would like to hear your opinion.
I’d love to hear how much traction these electrical motorcycles are getting in Southeast Asia (and other countries arond the region). They are more prevalent there than anywhere else I’ve been to, and no doubt, greatly contribute to the smog factor in their cities.