This year, a tiny Oregon company built an electric motorcycle, the 2010 MotoCzysz E1PC, and in June it beat every battery-powered rival in cycling’s most death-defying challenge: the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race. Powered by a 134-horsepower oil-cooled electric motor and a 12.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery pack, the E1PC reached a top speed of 135 mph on the island’s mountainous road course, completing its 37.7-mile lap in just over 23 minutes. As with any electric vehicle, limited driving range is a problem; the MotoCzysz battery held enough of a charge to tear up one lap, but it probably couldn’t have done another. Still, company founder Michael Czysz says the prototype bike can manage 100 miles in less-stressful conditions.
This is awesome. Not because electric motorcycles are so cool, but because it shows a tremendous amount of progress and potential for what electric vehicles, in general, are capable of. Sexy appearance, high performance, and zero emissions.