MOTORCYCLES

The 137mph Energica electric superbike

November 29, 2011

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Italian electric race-bike outfit CRP Racing has announced its first road-going superbike, the Energica. With 100 kW of power and top of the line chassis and suspension, all clothed in modern Italian style bodywork, the Energica is capable of speeds up to 220 km/h (137 mph) and range of 150 km (93 miles) on a single charge, due in part to a power train efficiency close to 95 percent. The package includes such niceties as ride-by-wire throttle, a brace of radial-caliper Brembo disc brakes, Ohlins suspension, digital multifunction LCD dashboard and LED lights.

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The motor, a Permanent Magnet synchronous design, is claimed to be highly suitable for vehicle propulsion due to high start up torque (16 kgm/157 Nm) and is a departure from the eCRP race bikes, which used two brushed DC motors with a total power rating of 52 kilowatts.

With two seasons of successful experience in racing electric motorcycles - CRP won the TTXGP Europe crown, and was the runner-up in the TTXGP World Championship in 2010.

The Energica was shown at this year's EICMA Motorcycle Show in Italy and the company is looking for a partner to get the bike into showrooms.

Energica electric superbike at EICMA 2011

Pricing has been set at EUR15,000 ( approx. US$20,000 ) which is not bad for such a limited edition, eco-friendly weapon.

Here's a run down of the Energica's key specs:

Motor: PMAC synchronous motor, permanent magnets
Power: 100 kW
Top Speed: 220 km/h
Torque: 16 kgm / 157 Nm
Range: 150 km
Power train efficiency: approx. 95%
Braking system: Brembo - front double caliper radial mount, rear single fixed caliper
Braking discs: front double floating disc diam. 310 mm , rear single disc diam. 220 mm
Wheels: OZ forged aluminum - front 3.50" X 17", rear 5,50" X 17"
Tyres: front 120/70-17, rear 180/55-17
Rear monoshock absorber: Matris or Ohlins, adjustable length
Front fork: Marzocchi or Ohlins
Throttle: Domino ride-by-wire
Dashboard: Digital multi-function LCD
Lights: ECIE - 100% LED

About the Author

Martin spent 17 years as road and track tester for Australian Motorcycle News and has raced motorcycles for over 40 years, picking up an Australian Championship in 1993 in the Unlimited Class Historic. An aircraft builder and experienced recreational pilot, he currently operates a test flight and maintenance facility, owns a Ducati 1000 and a Buell 1200 … and writes for Gizmag. All articles by Martin Hone

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13 Comments

the 93 mile range sounds ok but is this the range when using the available power?Looks good.

robinyatesuk2003
29th November, 2011 @ 09:48 pm PST

If this is the street legal version of the eCRP 1.4 its battery capacity is 7,4 kW/h.

Usable on the road should be 6 kW/h.

At full throttle this would mean 3 and a half minutes of electric fun - or a 8 mile range (in flat areas).

Suvilo
30th November, 2011 @ 01:19 am PST

I can see that there will be a lot of accidents with these as presumably it is very quiet. This means that jaywalkers won't hear it coming. Perhaps some kind of loudspeaker to make it sound like a piston engined motorbike would be a great safety feature. (in the USA jaywalkers would probably sue!) Lovely bike and presumably the electric drive can be tweaked to extend tyre life.

Davey1000
30th November, 2011 @ 02:50 am PST

I want one!!!

But...

As a past Ducati owner, isn't there something a little bit worrying about an electric bike from Italy? Not exactly renowned for reliable electrics!!

Techjunkie88
30th November, 2011 @ 03:17 am PST

LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES

not on an electrik bike

Tofu Ñ Roxy ThaDog
30th November, 2011 @ 08:45 am PST

Wow. They really went out of their way to NOT show the left side. Seeing it's a chain, I bet it's direct drive off the motor. If that's the case, any savvy auto editor should question its acceleration performance. Not citing it, stating a high top speed, and hiding the drive side in their PR photos infers only one thing.....DOG. Maybe I am wrong, but too many coincidences here.

solutions4circuits
30th November, 2011 @ 08:49 am PST

I'll take the new 2012 Kawaski ZX-14R that is a real superbike for much less money that I could ride to Daytona Bike Week and back from NJ like I did with my ZX-11.

joe1946
30th November, 2011 @ 09:22 am PST

"The package includes such niceties as ride-by-wire throttle"... is there any other way with and electric vehicle?

Eletruk
30th November, 2011 @ 09:45 am PST

Italian and electrics!! Although this looks the business, no doubt has the figures and the range to draw both the eye and the wallet (providing no doubt affluence).

Previous Italian bike owner, and bike fanatic I love this idea, there is one thing that makes me question my sanity.

Rain + electrics + Italy = Hmmm, can I really handle the hassle.

I hope this proves me wrong - it looks damn sexy too for a little throw about machine

Chris Kedzierski
30th November, 2011 @ 04:11 pm PST

@ Davey 1000

You are confusing "safety" and "Darwinism". Parents are supposed to teach their children not to play in the street. Teach them like their lives depend on it.

Burnerjack
30th November, 2011 @ 07:01 pm PST

Yeah, I remember the night I rode home on my 1960 200cc Ducati Americano by turning the light on for a second to pick out some landmark as far away as I could see, then turning the light off again to save the battery! One DOES presume that Italian electrics have gotten better over the years, I can't recall any electrical probs with my '74 750cc Sport. Both my '67 Diana Mk III and the 750 Sport had engine problems, but no electric probs. And hey, as good as this thing looks, we buy it to put in the living room and watch it instead of TV, right?

John Waaser
30th November, 2011 @ 08:47 pm PST

I agree with eletruk. A drive by wire throttle???! IT'S ELECTRIC! How else would you control the ESC module? Lookie here Ma, this here biker thingie don't have no gas tank!:P

Shishkabugs
1st December, 2011 @ 06:49 am PST

IF it had a 99% efficient controller and a 98% efficient motor they would need a (roller) chain and sprocket with an efficiency of 98% to get 'around' 95%! (0.95=0.99x0.98x0.98)

Do such things exist?

And that's without considering the discharge efficiency of the power pack!

innov8ive
13th December, 2011 @ 09:24 am PST