• Release to market a new class of motorcycles reducing consumers’ range-anxiety, offering more range and less wait-time at the charger
• LS218 motorcycle traveled 710 miles in one day, unmatched by current production electric motorcycles in the industry

Enevate, a pioneering battery innovation company enabling extreme fast charge and high energy density battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs) and other markets, announced that Lightning Motorcycles has entered production with the LS218 motorcycle using large 47Ah extreme-fast-charge Si-dominant lithium-ion cells that are utilizing technology licensed from Enevate.

LS-218 first sales

Lightning sold the first fast-charge production motorcycle in January with the following specifications for the LS218:

• 10 minutes fast charge from 20% to 80% SOC
• 200+ Fwy mile range with 28.3kWh usable battery pack
• 248 rwhp and 226 ft/lbs torque

Before the release of the first production motorcycle, Lightning performed extensive road-testing. In November 2023, Lightning rode the development motorcycle 710 miles round trip in one day. From Hollister, California, to Irvine, enabled by Enevate’s fast charge Si technology. Competing E-motorcycles in the market with conventional Li-ion batteries require ~2 days to make the same trip with the packs requiring as long as 4-6 hours to charge.

Lightning’s release to production of the first motorcycle with Enevate’s technology marks an important milestone in the E-motorcycle industry. Fast charge electric motorcycles have increased utility and spend more time on the road instead of waiting at the charging cord. Electric motorcycle riders can now keep up on long distance trips with their friends who ride conventional motorcycles.

Enevate’s breakthrough extreme-fast-charging silicon-dominant battery technology delivers up to 10 times faster charging than conventional lithium-ion batteries. While enabling high energy densities along with a variety of other benefits, including improved safety, low cost, low-temperature operation for cold climates and reduced carbon footprint. Enevate’s technology is compatible with state-of-the-art battery manufacturing equipment, so does not require pre-lithiation or new capital-intensive production processes. With its extreme fast charge capability, Enevate’s technology allows batteries to charge in as fast as five minutes while delivering industry leading energy density and performance.

Lightning LS-218 range

“With Enevate technology, Lightning has been able to offer the first fast charge production motorcycle in the world which offers a range of 200+ miles at freeway speeds with a 28kWh pack. This range is much higher than what Lightning has been able to offer previously using conventional Li-ion batteries. This has been an outstanding partnership with Enevate; together we push the boundaries in e-motorcycle innovation,” said Lightning Motorcycles CEO and Founder, Richard Hatfield. “For myself, and everyone at Lightning, our transformational products not only provide us with the opportunity to be part of the mobility revolution, they also allow us to contribute to progress in the relentless effort to save our planet.”

“Our partnership with Lightning continues to grow and mature. Together we have developed the world’s first application of silicon anode fast charge technology. Enevate is proud to be part of the Lightning electric performance motorcycle programs,” said Enevate CEO Bob Kruse. “History will record this industry first as others adopt this technology. For the consumer, this means that riders of electric motorcycles with Enevate technology can now ride all day alongside conventional motorcycles without waiting hours on a charge cord.”

ABOUT ENEVATE (www.enevate.com)

Enevate develops and licenses advanced battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs), with a vision of EVs charging as fast as refueling gas cars, accessible and affordable to everyone, and accelerating EVs’ mass adoption.

Boasting a portfolio of 649 patents issued and in process, Enevate’s pioneering advancements (including leveraging accelerated battery testing and machine learning) in silicon-dominant anodes and cells have resulted in battery technology that features five-minute extreme fast charging with high energy density, low-temperature operation for cold climates, low cost and safety advantages over conventional batteries.

Enevate’s vision is to develop and propagate EV battery technology that contributes to a clean and sustainable environment. The Irvine, California-based company’s investors include:

• Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (Alliance Ventures),
• LG Chem,
• Samsung Venture Investment Corp,
• Fidelity Management & Research Company,
• Mission Ventures,
• Draper Fisher Jurvetson,
• Tsing Capital,
• Infinite Potential Technologies,
• Presidio Ventures – a Sumitomo Corporation company,
• Lenovo, CEC Capital, and
• Bangchak.

Enevate®, the Enevate logo, HD-Energy®, XFC-Energy® and eBoost® are registered trademarks of Enevate Corporation.

Lightning LS-218 – About Lightning Motorcycles (www.lightningmotorcycle.com)

They produce high-performance premium electric motorcycles such as the Lightning LS-218. Lightning products have been proven in competition against the best gas motorcycles in the world.

They have incorporated this innovation and experience to deliver a combination of performance, price and rider experience that positions Lightning to drive mainstream adoption of electric motorcycles.

Lightning is currently producing two platforms in the company’s facility in Hollister, California, and is preparing to expand production and extend its product line into several additional platforms to address the global market. For more information, please visit www.lightningmotorcycle.com.

The post Lightning LS-218 with fast charge technology appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

The report finds that globally these alternative transport means are set to become one of the most attractive forms of sustainable mobility thanks to convenience, affordability and safety.

Comprising bike-sharing, kick scooter sharing, and scooter sharing, the global micro-mobility market is estimated to register 31.9 million vehicles by 2025, up from 20.5 million in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%.

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Bike-sharing currently accounts for almost 98% of the micro-mobility market’s fleet size but kick scooter sharing and scooter sharing are gaining traction in several countries around the world.

One of the key disruptive trends in the growth of micro-mobility services can be attributed to technology advancements that will offer a host of solutions such as smart docking stations and solar-powered charging stations, smart locks and sensors.

Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent fleet management systems and navigational systems will drive growth for the micro mobility market.”

It looks like we will be seeing more and more bikes and scooters in the city from now on

This is a Motoring Minute

IM Rob Fraser

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The new electrically powered C evolution now goes even further by fusing riding fun and dynamism with the benefits of zero-emission performance to create a whole new experience on two wheels. In keeping with the BMW Group’s sustainability strategy, BMW Motorrad is taking a fully committed approach to electric mobility. As with BMW i, development of the C evolution revolved around creating a visionary vehicle concept offering maximum everyday practicality and an inspirational design.

C evolution electric motor

Powerful drive unit with liquid-cooled electric motor and air-cooled high-voltage battery. Range of 100 kilometres (62 miles) under practical conditions.

The C evolution is powered by a drivetrain swing arm with liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor via a toothed belt and ring gearing. The rated power output is 11 kW (15 hp), with a peak output of 35 kW (47 hp). This enables the C evolution to achieve a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph, electronically limited) and gives it better acceleration than some maxi scooters powered by engines with displacements of 600 cc or more.

The generous 8 kWh capacity of the air-cooled lithium-ion high-voltage battery allows the two-wheeler to cover a range of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) before it needs to be charged from any domestic mains supply. When plugged in to a standard 220V domestic socket with a 12A charge current, recharging fully from empty takes around 4 hours (with 220V / 16A = 3 h).

Intelligent recuperation and four ride modes ensure riding fun as well as efficiency.

BMW Motorrad has opted for a form of energy regeneration for the C evolution that has never been seen before on a single-track vehicle. Recuperation takes place automatically both when coasting with the throttle closed and when braking.

Riders of the C evolution can set their preferred mix of dynamic performance and efficiency by selecting from the four ride modes. In Road mode, for instance, they have at their disposal maximum acceleration, approximately 50 per cent energy regeneration when coasting and full regeneration when braking. I

n Eco Pro mode, meanwhile, acceleration and therefore energy consumption are restricted, while the maximum possible amount of energy is recuperated. Sail mode suppresses recuperation while coasting, allowing the C evolution to glide along virtually free of any braking effect when the throttle is released. And for an added touch of dynamism, Dynamic mode combines full accelerating power with a high degree of recuperation.

Supreme safety thanks to synergies with BMW Automobile.

As part of the BMW Group, BMW Motorrad was able to harness synergies with BMW Automobile during development of the C evolution. Besides adopting the same energy storage modules and electronic componentry used in the BMW i3. This was particularly beneficial for electrical safety, which is to passenger car standard. The C evolution is the first electrically powered two-wheeler to meet the ISO 26262 standard for functional safety. And the ECE R100 standard governing high-voltage safety, both of which have been ratified by the leading carmakers.

As far as the chassis is concerned, the C evolution no longer has a main frame in the conventional sense. The central component here is the battery casing made from diecast aluminium. Which has a steering head support made from steel tubing attached to it at the front. And, at the rear, the single-sided swing arm as well as a rear frame, also made from steel tubing. The task of wheel suspension and damping is performed by an upside-down telehydraulic fork at the front and a spring strut mounted on the left at the rear. As on all vehicles from BMW Motorrad, the C evolution comes equipped with safety-boosting ABS together with powerful disc brakes as standard.

Torque Control Assist (TCA) for superior traction control.

The new C evolution is available with Torque Control Assist (TCA), which works in a similar way to the Automatic Stability Control feature on BMW motorcycles with combustion engines. TCA limits the motor’s torque depending on the slip at the rear wheel.

To ensure optimum controllability of the drive torque for the rider. The electric motor’s control electronics monitor the rear wheel speed and reduce the drive torque if a certain plausibility threshold is exceeded. TCA is a particularly useful aid for the rider when starting off and prevents uncontrolled spinning of the rear wheel on road surfaces with reduced grip (e.g. wet cobblestones).

The Torque Control Assist additionally serves to stop the rear wheel from skidding when a sharp rate of recuperation produces a correspondingly high level of drag torque, especially on slippery road surfaces.

Large TFT colour display and LED daytime running light.

A host of other features further underline the innovative character of the C evolution. It is equipped with a reversing aid, for instance. That enables easy manoeuvring at walking pace. There is also a first in the form of an LED daytime running light. Which additionally dims to double as the sidelight. And for added comfort on cold days, there are heated handlebar grips.

A large TFT colour display in the instrument cluster offers a wealth of information.

Apart from the current speed, the rider is also kept informed of data such as

• the average consumption in kWh/100 km,
• total power consumption,
• battery charge status in kWh,
• average speed,
• voltage of the on-board electrical system and
• the high-voltage system, as well as
• the remaining range in kilometres taking into account the selected ride mode.
• A bar graph furthermore indicates the current level of energy draw or regeneration.

Inspirational design.

Last but not least, the C evolution also charts new territory in terms of styling and colour scheme. Design-wise, the C evolution fits harmoniously into the BMW Motorrad family. While the colour combination of Light White non-metallic and Electric Green symbolises its ability to blend maximum eco-friendliness with superb dynamic performance.

The highlights at a glance:

• Innovative electric drive system via drivetrain swing arm with liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor, toothed belt and ring gearing.
• Rated power output 11 kW (homologated according to ECE R85) and 35 kW peak output.
• Maximum torque 72 Nm (53 lb-ft).
• Top speed 120 km/h (75 mph).
• Acceleration 0 – 50 km/h (31 mph) in 2.7 s.
• Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 s.
• High range of 100 kilometres (62 miles) in practical operation.
• 4 ride modes available to choose from: Road, Eco Pro, Sail and Dynamic.
• Reversing aid for supremely easy manoeuvring.
• Torque Control Assist (TCA).
• High-voltage battery with high capacity of 8 kWh and innovative air cooling.
• Intelligent recuperation when coasting and when braking.
• Recharged from the domestic mains supply.
• Takes just 4 h to charge to 100 % capacity at 220V / 12A (220V / 16A = 3 h).
• Synergies with BMW Automobile harnessed during development.
• Electrical safety to passenger car standards.
• Hybrid chassis with agile handling due to low centre of gravity.
• Powerful braking system with ABS.
• Large TFT colour display.
• LED daytime running light and sidelight.
• Inspirational colour scheme and design.

The post BMW C evolution appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

For the first time, the conditions necessary for the widespread roll-out of electric vehicles are well and truly in place. Unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Renault ZOE will go on sale in Europe this autumn. Its launch marks the beginning of a new era: an era of electric vehicles for all.

ZOE’s world premiere features:
•The first mass-market electric vehicle to be homologated with an NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) range of 210 km.
•The first vehicle equipped with Range OptimiZEr that improves the real-world range, depending on driving conditions. For example, in suburban use, the owner will achieve between 100 km and 150 km.
•The first electric vehicle capable of being charged at any level of power – in between 30 minutes and nine hours – thanks to the Chameleon charger.
•The first Renault vehicle to be presented with Renault R-Link, a multimedia system featuring a seven-inch touch screen tablet, navigation and connected services.
•The first electric vehicle to enable the massive roll-out of fast-charging stations, which are easier and up to four times cheaper for local governments.

“ZOE will be the spearhead of the Renault Z.E. range and the version on show at Geneva represents the model’s final design. In addition to its compact size, attractive styling and affordable price tag, it showcases Renault’s technological excellence when it comes to electric vehicles. ZOE also heralds the beginning of a new era of electric mobility for all and confirms our commitment to electric vehicles. It marks an important step for Renault which has a 110-year history of making major innovations a concrete reality for ordinary motorists.” Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Renault

ZOE’s final design is being world-premiered at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Designed as a pure-electric car from the ground up, ZOE is a compact hatchback with sleek, fluid lines. Its agile, dynamic looks express driving enjoyment, while its signature headlights feature LEDs that permanently light up recesses situated either side of the front air intake. Like Twingo and Twizy, ZOE features the Renault brand’s new design identity.

Exterior styling
“We wanted ZOE’s design to embody both a sense of breakthrough technology and core automotive styling cues. The car’s ecofriendly dimension is expressed in its pure lines which appear to flow along the bodywork. Its contemporary proportions combined with sculpted volumes make ZOE a reassuring and captivating car.” Agneta Dahlgren-Hermine (ZOE Design Project Manager)

Interior design
“ZOE’s interior design reflects its modern, ‘eco’ character, with a bright colour scheme evocative of purity, plus the latest interactive technology in the form of the Renault R-Link tablet. The dashboard moulding has been designed to resemble the blade of a wind turbine.” Dominique Marzolf (Interior Designer)

ZOE, a raft of innovations for a new form of motoring
More than 60 patents have been filed for ZOE’s design. Range, interactivity and occupant wellbeing are at the core of the vehicle’s innovations. ZOE, the first mass-market electric vehicle to be homologated with an NEDC cycle
range of 210 km

In terms of autonomy, Renault has developed the ‘Range OptimiZEr’, that combines three major innovations (new-generation regenerative braking, a heat pump and MICHELIN EnergyTM E-V tyres). Due to this, the range of ZOE is the highest of the electric vehicles in mass production. In the NEDC, ZOE is homologated with a range of 210km. In real conditions, for example, in suburban use, the owner will generally achieve around 100km in cold weather and 150km in temperate conditions.

New-generation regenerative braking recovers practically all of the energy otherwise wasted during braking, without any significant impact on ZOE’s on road dynamics. The car offers a perfectly smooth drive with no jarring electric motor braking. The system works in two ways:
•The kinetic energy produced under deceleration and braking is recovered by the motor so that it can be converted into electricity to charge the battery. This feature is also fitted to Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E.
•When the driver presses the brake pedal, the system intelligently distributes the braking effort between applying the brake pads and the electric motor brake with a view to maximising the use of the electric motor brake and charging of the battery.

The heat pump provides excellent thermal comfort without detracting from the vehicle’s range. This system, which operates in the same way as reverse-cycle air-conditioning, consumes very little electricity. It produces warm or cool air by simply reversing the cycle of operation. The heat pump generates approximately 2kW of cooling or 3kW of heat with just 1kW of electricity. The cabin temperature is also more constant since it is not affected by the heat given off by the motor.

The MICHELIN EnergyTM E-V tyre is a Michelin innovation co-developed with Renault as a world premiere for ZOE. The tyre features enhanced energy efficiency to maximise vehicle range. Its rubber compound, tread design and sidewalls have been engineered to withstand ZOE’s high torque and address the specific demands of electric vehicles, yet it still delivers the same safety and handling performance as all other Michelin tyres. Available in 15- and 16-inch versions, this tyre is fitted to all ZOE models as original equipment.

The Chameleon charger revolutionises electric vehicle charging
ZOE is the only electric vehicle to feature the Chameleon charger. Patented by Renault, this charger is compatible with all power levels up to 43kW. Charging batteries at a charging station can take between 30 minutes and nine hours. For example, ZOE can be charged in an hour at 22kW. This intermediate power level extends battery life and puts less pressure on the power grid than the fast-charging of batteries at 43kW.

The Chameleon charger allows fast-charging at charging stations at a quarter of the cost
Fast-charging stations are currently equipped with high-power chargers. Now that the Chameleon charger is fitted to the vehicle, there is no longer any need for chargers at charging stations. New fast-charging stations will be opened which are easier and more cost-effective. They will cost less than €3,000, a quarter of the cost of existing fast-charging stations. Charging stations of this type are being previewed on the Renault stand at the Geneva Motor Show.

Brand-new Renault R-Link multimedia system on ZOE
ZOE is the first Renault vehicle to be presented with Renault R-Link, Renault’s brand-new integrated, connected multimedia system. To enable drivers to control its functions without taking their eyes off the road, R-Link features a large seven-inch display, steering wheel-mounted controls and speech recognition. RLink also delivers integrated connectivity with motoring services and applications available from the R-Link Store. When released, R-Link Store will offer more than 50 applications adapted for life on the move thanks to an active partnership with application developers. These apps will be downloadable directly inside the car or via owners’ My Renault account.

R-Link also includes a host of new functions dedicated to electric motoring and range management: histogram of energy consumption, display of energy flows and preprogramming of battery charging. The navigation system offers bespoke services such as a display of the vehicle’s operating radius based on the range remaining in the battery, suggestions for the most energy-efficient itineraries and the location of nearby battery charging stations (depending on country), as well as their real-time availability. R-Link also lets drivers view their eco-driving performance and improve their technique with ‘eco-scoring’ and tips (general and personalised).

Connected services for remote communication and monitoring
ZOE drivers will be able to use their mobile phone or computer to:
•access range-related information using the ‘My Z.E. Connect’ package, available on ZOE from the entry-level version.
•monitor their vehicle via the ‘My Z.E. inter@ctive’ Pack which includes:
oremote operation (on/off) of battery charging if the vehicle is connected to a charging station.
oremote programming of charging (from a PC only) with the option of taking advantage of preferential rates from electricity suppliers.
oimmediate or delayed activation of the cabin pre-conditioning system.

Enjoyment, relaxation and wellbeing on board A relaxing, enjoyable drive
Driving ZOE is a unique experience which gives new meaning to the term ‘driving pleasure’. The synchronous electric motor with rotor coil has a power output of 65kW and instantly delivers maximum torque of 220Nm. Acceleration and pull-away are responsive from low speeds. Driving is more relaxing thanks to the silent ride and smooth, gearshift-free acceleration.
For stress-free driving in built-up areas, ZOE is fitted with ‘Z.E. Voice’, an alarm which warns pedestrians that the vehicle is approaching. ‘Z.E. Voice’ can be heard from 1 to 30kph and was the subject of special design work to create a bespoke sound identity for ZOE. The driver can choose between three different sounds, while it is possible to turn off the warning system by simply pressing a button.

The perfect temperature inside ZOE’s cabin
Programmable pre-conditioning heats or cools ZOE’s cabin when the vehicle is charging. When the driver gets into the car, the cabin is just the right temperature and the energy used for the thermal comfort system is not drawn from the battery.
The air breathed in by ZOE’s occupants is pure. An activated charcoal cabin air filter traps most bad smells and pollutants. It also filters substances just a few microns in size, such as pollen and soot.

The ‘Zen’ version embodies the world of ZOE
The choice of colours and materials for the ‘Zen’ version recalls purity and wellbeing: white, blue and chrome, plus a soft-feel dashboard. ZOE Zen is fitted with ‘Take Care by Renault’ equipment as standard.

Launched with Renault Latitude, the ‘Take Care’ signature is a guarantee of premium features dedicated to occupant wellbeing and travelling comfort. In addition to the pre-conditioning function and active charcoal cabin filter, it includes:
•A relaxing or stimulating scent diffuser. The effectiveness of the scents has been proven by a study conducted by the German institute Psyrecon
•A dual-mode purifying and relaxing air ioniser: the purifying function eliminates the bacteria found in the cabin air. The relaxing function generates negative ions to produce a balance with the positive ions, which are present in high concentrations in a confined space such as a car’s interior.
•A toxicity sensor: this system detects excessive pollution levels and automatically switches on the air recycling mode in the cabin.
•Teflon® upholstery protection, for easier cleaning: this invisible, odourless treatment is both waterproof and stain-proof.

ZOE underpins Renault’s environmental commitment
Like all electric vehicles, ZOE emits no CO2, NOx, CO or fine particles. It also signals the disappearance of unpleasant smells and ‘engine’ noise during road use. Well-to-wheel CO2 emissions depend on the energy-generation mix of each country. Emissions total 62 g / km of CO2 in Europe, versus 89 g / km for the new Toyota Prius. They are even lower in France at just 12 g / km of CO2.

From 2013, ZOE’s local content rate will be 55 per cent following the introduction of the Renault electric motor which will be produced at the company’s Cléon plant. This high rate helps to reduce the carbon footprint of logistics activities.
ZOE: ‘Made in France’ electric vehicle excellence
•ZOE was designed at the Renault Technocentre.
•Lardy, a department devoted to electric motors and batteries.
•ZOE is manufactured at Renault’s Flins factory, where batteries will be made at a later date.
•From 2013, the electric motor will be made at the Cléon factory, France.

Technical data
Dimensions
Length (mm)4,084
Overall width (mm)1,730
Height (unladen) (mm)1,568
Wheelbase (mm)2,588
Boot capacity (litres)338
Number of seats5
Front / rear overhang (mm)836 / 661
Front / rear track (mm)1,506 / 1,489
Motor
TypeSynchronous with rotor coil
Power (kW) / (hp)65 / 88
Maximum torque (Nm)220
TransmissionReducer gear
Battery
TypeLithium-ion
Capacity (kWh)22
Range (NEDC)210 km
Top speed (kph)135
Charger
TypeSingle or three phase supply up to 43kW
Charge time•3kW (16A single phase wall box) = 9 hours
•22kW (32A three-phase charging station) = 1 hour
•43kW (63A three-phase charging station) = 30 minutes

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