Peraves E-Tracer
Urban mobility is one thing, but this electric motorcycle can reach 240km/hSwiss innovator Peraves has come up with new two-wheeled vehicle called the E-Tracer, a low emission, ultra-green road rocket.
We're seeing more and more of these uber aerodynamic motorcycles and "urban transport" solutions hitting the test track, and with competitions like the Progressive Automotive X-Prize, we may be seeing even more.
The Peraves E-Tracer was built to enter the Progressive Automotive X-Prize, an event designed to promote efficient vehicle design. Or as the official website explains, "Ambitious teams from around the world will work to design and build production-capable, super-efficient, clean vehicles that people want to buy."
And from early 2011, the E-Tracer will go on sale to the public in North America, priced from around $US108,000, which at the time of writing was about $120,000 in local currency.
The E-Tracer is an electric version of Peraves' MonoTracer (which was powered by a BMW engine) and as the photos show it boasts an aerodynamic exterior designed to eliminate drag. The E-Tracer has the same look, sans exhaust pipe.
It has a super-low drag coefficient of just 0.19, and hidden away inside its flowing exterior the E-Tracer makes use of an AC induction motor hooked up to a 20kW/h lithium battery. Peraves reckons with a fully charged battery the E-Tracer has a cruising range of around 300km, but it's the bike's performance that really stands out.
It'll crack out sub four-second zero to 100km/h runs, or so say its creators, and the E-Tracer will top out at a claimed 240km/h -- and that's because it's got a a speed limiter. Not bad for a silent motorcycle!
Whether or not the vehicle is a sales success in North America remains to be seen – it's six figure asking price could be too much for some – but if it can place well in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize competition, it may be more than just a futuristic toy for the rich and famous.
NB: The video below is of the MonoTracer, which is visually and mechanically identical to the E-Tracer except for the propulsion system.
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