How does an electric motorcycle work?

Electric motorcycles are a recent concept. They are generating real interest among bikers. Let’s see how an electric motorcycle works, comparing it to its thermal equivalent.

The principle of the electric motorcycle

The mobility ecosystem, by switching to electric, is evolving towards a new energy shift and adapting to consumer requirements.

We are therefore finding more and more electric motorcycles on the market and more and more bikers are converting to them.

Indeed, among the many advantages that the electric motorcycle offers, it is more respectful of the environment. It has a motor powered by electricity, equipped with a rechargeable battery.

Focus on the engine

The motor of the electric motorcycle works like a magnet. Thanks to a magnetic field, the stator (static part) excites the rotor (moving part), then creating a force. Polarity is exerted by a rotary movement, in the forward or reverse direction. By installing an axle on the rotor, mechanical energy is recovered and transmitted to the rear wheel with a belt or chain.

Focus on the battery

To operate efficiently, electric motorcycles require large batteries. These batteries are approximately the size of what a gasoline engine would be in a system based on gasoline propulsion and have a lifespan varying between 2 and 10 years.

Battery life

The amount of energy provided by charging varies between motorcycle models. The latest electric motorcycles put on the market offer a range generally between 95 and 400 kilometers.

To recharge the electric motorcycle, allow around three hours, but some recharges can be limited to two. It depends on the battery model.

In general, the higher the cost of the electric motorcycle, the better the results in terms of autonomy of the machine.

Electric motorcycles are environmentally friendly in the sense that, in particular, they do not generate any carbon dioxide emissions, unlike thermal engine motorcycles. This characteristic is particularly interesting in cities where pollution is often endemic.

Noise impact

Electric motorcycles are significantly quieter than gasoline motorcycles. Beyond the comfort provided to the driver and the decibels saved for people passing by, this presents an advantage in terms of safety, in the sense that the driver will be better able to identify an approaching danger.

In order to mitigate the risk that a pedestrian enters without hearing the vehicle, a European agreement provides for electric vehicles to be equipped with a sound warning system in 2021.

Impact on costs

The purchase price no longer constitutes an obstacle to the transition to electric because affordable options are available and government financial aid exists.

Furthermore, for each kilometer traveled, electricity consumption can be more advantageous than gasoline.

Finally, it is worth looking at the overall cost of owning an electric motorcycle compared to thermal versions. The absence of consumables such as oils and filters, a significantly reduced level of wear, and a much lower number of parts, make the maintenance and repair of an electric vehicle extremely advantageous.

The performance of electric two-wheelers is quite interesting. Their acceleration and recovery capabilities have nothing to envy of their thermal equivalents.

Electric motorcycles are suitable for city driving: in fact, regenerative braking allows the battery to be recharged and the machine’s power to be retained for longer.

The lightness of electric motorcycles, which have fewer parts than a gasoline motorcycle, makes them more maneuverable and more agile.