MotoCzysz E1pc claims to be the world's most advanced electric motorcycle, we don't argue
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 9th 2010 10:01PM
posted June 9th 2010 10:01PM
We've seen quite a few electric motorcycles, and even driven some ourselves, but none quite like the MotoCzysz E1pc, which is touted to be the "world's most advanced." As Popular Science discovered in an exclusive look at the bike, there seems to be little doubt about that fact -- for starters, the bike packs ten times the battery capacity of a Toyota Prius and two and half times the torque of a Ducati 119 motorcycle and, well, look at it. Other standout features include ten 19.5 pound lithium polymer batteries that don't have wires so they can be swapped out easily, an oil-cooled electric motor that's been "developed from the ground up to win races," and a top speed (so far) of 140 MPH -- nearly 40 MPH better than its nearest competitor. Most impressively, however, is the simple fact that the E1pc is indeed built for racing -- it'll take on the Isle of Man TT tomorrow, which is described as the "toughest motorcycle race in the world." Dare we say it might now also be the most electric?
@teky This article? http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/iphone-4-vs-evo-4g-fight/
@Sofabutt
Yep, that's it. How did it wind up with a date 2 days ago? It was posted today. Here is the orignal byline:
"iPhone or EVO: which one should you get?
By Paul Miller posted Jun 9th 2010 4:34PM Feature"
@Sofabutt
Sorry, didn't pay enough attention....no, the one I was talking about was posted today. You won't find it because it doesn't exist anymore.
@Sofabutt
That's NOT the right article....just saying. That article was from a couple of days ago...
@Lando Calrissian "Well it IS their blog"
And it's the promotion of belief such as this that will continue to lose them and similar sites credibility in the eyes of the general public.
Looks interesting, I never thought we would have electric motorcycles.
@Mike Vick
There are quite a few electric motorcycles out now. Check this one out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVv0NVLFPig&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV8_meso6kU
Well then, I stand corrected brother! I think electric motorcycles would be awesome. If I live in a warm area I would def buy one :) cheers!
So advanced... Reminds me of the EVO! :)
This must be the answer to the recent oil spills.
Yeah, but can it wheelie?
@Betooo well since it can deliver instant full power to the wheel, I'm sure the torque could flip you backwards. On some electric cars they've had to make them accelerate gradually or else the tires just spin.
training wheels :)
It better have 2.5X the torque of a Ducati 119!!!! That is a tiny engine
I just wonder what happens when this thing has a big crash, do the batteries explode?
@Wesley I think the rider has a bit more to be concerned about in a big crash.
They'll probably be 20 feet from it.
Well, parts of them will be at least.
Looks really futuristic....Terminator like.
Motorcycle Dynamics Racing has set the land speed record for an electric motorcycle at 180mph.
I have switched to all battery power tools.
My saw, my drill, my dremmel, my 36V lawn mower, my weeder, edger, trimmer, you name it.
My RC airplanes, I am now also on an electric fleet. The only slimer I have left is my nitro monster truck.
The beautiful thing about electric is that noise and vibration is GREATLY reduced, you can start and stop the motor at will, and there is basically no maintenance... it just works.
I personally can't wait for electric motorcycle technology to improve!!!
And while its true that it still uses up power to run it, you can use nuclear plants, wind farms, and clean coal w/ carbon sequestration to make it go, not exactly something you can scale down easy. :D
@Ducman69 Oh and BTW, motorcycles are THE place to start the all-electric revolution.
While a Ferrari sets you back $200K, the Ferrari of motorcycles is a tenth that cost.
Lithium batteries are very expensive, but a motorcycle requires MUCH less power and thus batteries to get around. And its not only green, but reduces road congestion and inner city parking issues, and is generally much more efficient than transporting 180lbs worth of flesh with 4000lbs worth of steel SUV.
And don't forget the electric scooters for around town. Lots of room for batteries under the seat. =)
@Ducman69 if you like airplanes, you should check out the slowbipe. It's an amazing plane. www.slowbipe.com
@Ducman69 Motorcycles I agree are probably the best place to experiment with electric motivation but how many people on the average know how to ride a motorcycle properly. Add all that torque and I can see so many new guys taking off with unintentional wheelies and the eventual crash.
Being a test bed for sure but cars is where we are going to see the dependancy of fuel diminish. As the US uses ~25% of the whole worlds fuel I would like us to have more electric options in the compact/midsize car community.
This of course will never pick up speed in acceptability without the need for affordability and decent range/acceleration/cruising speed.
i think you meant Ducati 1198
That swap battery system looks to be the genius engineering. You can swap em out pretty fast at that weight. 40 pounders might be hard to slide in.
Excited to see how they do in competition.
Bravo - two firsts: Most advanced motorcycle and most unpronounceable brand name.
What ever happened to the C1? Did that get scrapped with the migration of motogp to 800cc?
Dear Engadget,
I love you. So much. But you really need to figure out this alt.engadget business. Because over the last week I've seen articles that clearly fall within the realm of generic tech news featured on alt, and articles that have nothing to do with consumer technology on engadget (I count two on the front page right now, VW and this..). kthxbye
Why isn't it called ep1c? Missed a golden opportunity there...
Maybe it is the most "advanced" but 140 isn't the fastest electric motorcycle, even production electric motorcycle, what about the Mission 1? That one goes 150.
But even so, the battery swap system looks really cool.
lol misread that as Ep1c
Hopefully this bike will spark some more intrest in the electic racing area.
Back to the Future 4 won't have a Delorean. It will have this.
The bike already took pole position in TT Zero Pratice lap with 4 seconds lead.
http://cdn.iomtt.com/~/media/Files/2010/Practice/TT%20Zero%20070610/TT%20zero%20practice%207.6.10.ashx
Give us a tron bike or no bike at all.
I've had Ducatis (hence the name), Yamahas, Hondas, the works, and am currently on a very tall and top heavy (especially with a full fuel in that massive gas tank) Suzuki adventure bike, and its no big change.
http://www.uk-power-battery.co.uk
My Vette compared to the RAM though is like night and day.
The difference? The motorcycle leans into the turn, thus the CG shifts. Hence why its no big deal that on a bicycle, your center of gravity is extremely high (you're the only real weight perched up on top).
"We've seen quite a few electric motorcycles, and even driven some ourselves..." Donald, you don't drive a motorcycle, you ride it.