Zero wants to be a Pikes Peak hero
Air-cooled e-motorbike aims to go faster than Lightning for electric-powered recordElectric motorbike specialist Zero will tackle the legendary Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado on June 30, with gun rider Cory West at the helm.
The demanding course is set over a 20km, 156-turn, 1440m ascent in Colorado, US.
Lightning set the e-motorbike record way back in 2013 when the 125hp (92kW)/170Nm LS-218 beat every other bike in the field by 20 seconds with a 10-minute and one second climb to the finish -- 4300m above sea level.
The existing record of 9:49.265 was set in 2017 by a conventionally powered KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
What makes Zero’s attempt unique among e-motorbike proponents who dare to challenge the Pikes Peak’s altitude and attitude adjustment is the fact the SR/F machine is air-cooled.
The height means air isn’t as dense, which restricts internal-combustion engines but the race demands constant high-torque and power outputs -- something that can force electric motors and batteries into a conservation mode as they shed excess heat.
Zero says the SR/F race bike uses a stock frame, motor, battery and controller. The race bike will use upgraded suspension and Piirelli racing slicks, along with adjusting the handlebars and footpegs to achieve a riding position to suit West.
The bike uses an 110hp (82kW)/190Nm electric motor paired to a 14.4kWh battery pack.
For more on the Zero SR/F, click here
Zero senior communications manager, Dan Quick, says the air-cooling on the SR/F will stand up to the rigours of Pikes Peak.
“Improving cooling without resorting to a liquid cooling system was part of the design brief. During the event, we’ll average about 72mph (115km/h) so the bike will have plenty of airflow and ability to shed heat. It’s a setup we have confidence in,” Quick says
“It’s also important to understand that electric motors operate at 95 per cent efficiency _ only the remaining five per cent of power is turned into heat. With an ICE bike, 33 per cent of power gets turned into heat. So the cooling requirements for a 110hp electric are much less than for a 110hp gas bike.
"This allows us to avoid the weight, cost and complexity that comes with a traditional cooling system.”
To see which Aussie rider came second at last year’s Pikes Peak, click here.
Source: https://electrek.co
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