Triumph reveals electric future

Triumph is edging closer to its first electric motorcycle, the British company revealing an electric powertrain and battery, chassis, and the first design sketches of its Project TE-1 Prototype.

Phase 2 of Triumph's collaborative TE-1 electric motorcycle project is complete, with the venture recently producing an e-powertrain with performance said to "far exceed the current benchmarks and industry targets".

The TE-1 project got underway in May 2019, and represents a partnership between Triumph Motorcycles, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain, and WMG at the University of Warwick.

The two-year project seeks to develop electric motorcycle capabilities and is funded by the UK Government's Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, delivered through Innovate UK.

The electric motor is said to produce 130kW or 177hp, yet it weighs only 10kg – a fraction of the weight of a comparable internal combustion engine.

"Ultimately, this is really going to be an industry-leading powertrain that will help define the future of electric mobility," said Andrew Cross, Chief Technical Officer of Integral Powertrain.

Integral Powertrain is responsible for the TE-1's motor, which is integrated with an inverter in the one compact package and features innovative silicon carbide switch technology that is said to ramp up the engine's efficiency, power delivery and range significantly.

The firm says its motor can easily be scaled up for higher-torque applications, while it has already achieved a power density twice that of the target set by the UK Automotive Council for 2025.

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Williams has focused its expertise on optimising the battery control module layout to achieve an optimal centre of gravity within the bike's chassis, also developing a new, unique vehicle control unit that reduces weight as well as smart new battery management software.

The company says that bench testing has shown the battery "exceeds anything else on the market in terms of power and energy density".

Meanwhile University of Warwick research group, WMG, has developed modelling that simulates the bike's battery, motor, and vehicle control, allowing the project to be refined and developed at a far faster pace.

Triumph has developed the advanced vehicle control software for the prototype, incorporating aspects such as throttle response, regenerative braking, traction control and numerous safety systems, along with a prototype instrument display and a prototype chassis spanning a main frame and the rear subframe.

Steve Sargent, Triumph's Chief Product Officer, said the project was progressing beautifully.

"We are thrilled to see the progress of such an exciting demonstration vehicle which incorporates the cutting-edge technology needed to guide the strategy for the future roadmap of electric motorcycles from Triumph," he said.

Phase 3 of the project will see further development of the battery and motor, while Phase 4 – the final phase of the TE-1 project – will see the completed prototype become a mule test platform.

Of course the project will ultimately inform the direction of Triumph's first production electric motorcycle, although the manufacturer is remaining tight-lipped regarding when that milestone model will first appear.

Nick Bloor, Triumph CEO, said the TE-1 project shone a light on the historic company's future.

"The completion of Phase 2, and the promising results achieved to date, provide an exciting glimpse of the potential electric future and showcase the talent and innovation of this unique British collaboration," he said.

"Without doubt the outcome of this project will play a significant part in our future efforts to meet our customers' ambition and desire to reduce their environmental impact and for more sustainable transportation.

"This important project will provide one of the foundations for our future electric motorcycle strategy, which is ultimately focussed on delivering what riders want from their Triumph: the perfect balance of performance, handling and real-world usability, with genuine Triumph character."