Bold Aussie electric motorcycle range readies for launch

The Australian-designed and built Savic Motorcycles C-Series range is nearing production, with the Melbourne-based firm recently securing a significant funding grant as it readies its three-model electric line-up for launch in late 2022.

The brainchild of entrepreneur (and former Ford Australia optimisation engineer), Dennis Savic, and his committed team of specialists, the company first unveiled its bold electric concept at the Moto Expo event in Melbourne in late 2018, and is now readying itself for the release of three C-Series models: the 25kW C-Series Omega, 40kW C-Series Delta, and 60kW C-Series Alpha.

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Electrifying performance

The flagship model, the C-Series Alpha, is said to be capable of 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds, while the C-Series lithium-ion battery is capable of a claimed maximum city range of 150km (Omega) to 250km (Alpha), and can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in under four hours.

The unique electric machines are assembled at a facility in West Melbourne from an array of Australian-made and Taiwanese parts, along with components from trusted names like Brembo (brakes) and Wilbers (suspension). The bikes roll on quality Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 rubber.

All fully road registrable, the C-Series Omega is priced from a competitive $12,990, the range then stepping up to $16,990 for the Delta and $23,990 for the Alpha. That puts the Alpha at less than half the cost of its direct rival, the Harley-Davidson LiveWire.

The bikes are neatly graduated in terms of weight too, at 190kg for the Omega, 210kg for the Delta, and 230kg for the Alpha.

All three models feature regenerative braking and come equipped with suite of sophisticated electronics spanning features like ride modes and traction control, in addition to safety staples like antilock braking.

Savic Motorcycles says the bikes will be backed by a three-year manufacturer warranty, with service intervals pegged at 1600km, 8000km, and every 8000km thereafter.

Helping hand

While the journey from fledgling start-up to fully operational manufacturer has involved many hurdles, not least of which include a global pandemic, the path to full production has just become that bit easier thanks to an injection of funding from the Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).

A Federal Government-funded initiative that seeks to stimulate and grow innovative Australian manufacturing, a $1.14m investment from Savic Motorcycles and its backers has been complemented by a further $657,000 ‘co-investment’ from the AMGC’s Commercialisation Fund.

Mr Savic said he was thrilled to secure the additional funding.

“The investment from AMGC is a strong vote of confidence in our product and plans to manufacture EV motorbikes onshore,” he said.

“With this funding secured, our 30-strong team can now move to start manufacture, with at least 20 bikes intended to be delivered to owners late next-year, before rapidly scaling up operations in 2023.”

Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of the AMGC, said the company was a great example of the considerable expertise we have here in Australia, and how such enterprises can be nurtured to the world stage.

“Savic Motorcycles is paving the way for electric mobility in Australia by leveraging the best of breed designers, engineers and manufacturing partners to deliver motorbikes of unmatched performance for local and global customers,” he said.

“Savic is proof that when you embrace the entire manufacturing process from design to research and development, all the way through to sales, there are exciting times ahead for Australian manufacturing.”