The Radical SONDORS Electric Motorcycle is Attempting To Shake UP The E Bike Industry

The SONDORS ‘Metacycle’ was first shown in Los Angeles in early 2021. After a series of delays and design challenges, the Metacycle is looking to ship to its first reservation holders this months. The original reservation price was relatively low for comparative products, at $5,000. This is SONDORS first exploration into electric motorcycles, usually producing electric bikes.

The SONDORS electric motorbike can reach speeds of 80mph, includes a reverse gear, hydraulic brakes, adjustable suspension and integrated wireless phone charging compartment. Free from vibration, fumes, noise and fuel the Metacycle offers a unique and new experience to riding. The unique ‘exo-frame’ creates a innovative shape accessible to any riders. Combined with the narrow profile the SONDORS electric motocycle creates a one-of-a-kind look. The weld-free single piece cast adds strength, sleekness and safety to the motorcycle.

The 65mm improved seat is made from variable density foam, allowing for maximum comfort on all rides. 80 miles of range is available from the 4000Wh, 72 V integrated battery.

Buick Unveils Their New Radical EV ‘Wildcat’, From Their New ‘Electra’ Line

Buick may become a force on the car market yet again as they unveils the new ‘Wildcat’, the first concept from their new ‘Electra’ Line. The sleek design, dramatic roof-line, panoramic windscreen and enormous grill create a unique look and welcome return to exciting Buick vehicles.

In line with coming regulations, Buick announced that they will only be selling EV’s in America by 2030. While this dramatic Wildcat concept would be refreshing to see in person, it may only remain a concept. Buick’s first electric vehicle is anticipated to arrive in 2024 and an entire fleet by 2030.

Featuring a 30.4 inch LCD screen a translucent steering wheel, the Buick Wildcat is stuffed with innovative features.

Additional exterior design highlights include:

• Distinctive semi-swing doors for easy entry and exit.

• Unique aluminum trim that appears to flow seamlessly into the interior seat structures.

• Micro-LED lighting technology and thin-beam projector lenses for the front lighting.

• Blade-style taillights embedded in the roof’s sail panels, culminating in check mark-style horizontal lamps that echo the front lighting signature.

• An external “state of charge” indicator visible in the exterior hatchback glass.

• Jet Age-inspired 18-spoke “turbine” wheels.

The unconventional suicide door design also includes a lift-up roof panel to create more headroom for entering and exiting. The Wildcat also includes AI features such as well-being tech that uses your heart rate to active ‘Zen Mode’ that disperses aromatherapy, dims lighting and starts the seat massagers.

Solar Powered Car? With The Lightyear 0 You Can Drive For Months Without Charging

The Lightyear 0 is a totally unique electric vehicle, covered in 5 square meters of solar panels this electric car can go for months without charge. From the sun alone the car can gain up to 70 km per day with the design aimed at absorbing joule of everything available from our closest star.

It is estimated that it is possible to gain from 6,000 to 11,000 kilometres of free milage from the sun every year. The car is also available to charge via normal sockets and able to charge 300km of range overnight from a standard home outlet.

Testing suggested that those with a commute of under 22 miles could drive for two months in the Netherlands without having to plug the car in, and those in even sunnier climates such as Spain could potentially run for as long as seven months without a plug-in charge.

Currently the cost of production for a single unit is €250,000, but Lightyear intended to reach mass market of three years with the vehicle priced a €30,000. The car still comes with a standard electric car battery so it has the ability to power the vehicle via solar or standard power, if the weather gets cloudy.

Wireless Charging Roads? Is This The Solution For Unlimited Electric Car Range?

Stellanits, the parent company of Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot, Maserati and many more are testing a loop of road that can charge electric cars as they drive over. This is done by embedded charging coils underneath the surface. So far, tests with the new Fiat 500 have displayed that this could potentially unlock unlimited range for electric vehicles.

This road is located just outside Milan in northern Italy and is named ‘Arena Del Futuro’ (Arena of the Future). This 0.65 mile loop of road in Chiari has also been used to test 5G connectivity technology and road surface optimisations. But the primary goal is to test Stellantis’s Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) technology, a wireless on-road charging system. 

To install this system, small grooves must be cut into the road surface in order for a series of inductive charging coils can be fitted and connected to a power supply. When activated, the coils beneath the asphalt send power to the passing vehicles overhead, provided they have the receiver. A potential challenge is that we car must be lined up perfectly with the coils, but this may be solved with the further introduction of autonomous self driving cars.

Currently, the electric power provided goes straight to the motor rather than the battery, so it does not charge the battery but instead becomes the primary power source for the motor, saving the battery for later journeys. The power transfer efficiency is said to be comparable to fast charging stations, and Stellantis claim the magnetic fields have no effect on the driver and passengers and are safe to walk over. There is also further potential for the power of the system to be provided by renewable energy options.

Whether the system will be rolled out to public highways is yet to be realised. To develop this on a commercial and mass scale would cost a considerable amount of investment and time. 

The Future Of Motorbikes? SUPER 73’s New 75mph Electric Motorbike Concept Unveiled

SUPER 73 just unveiled another design of the CX, moving closer toward the finalised product. The SUPER 73 electric motorcycle will include a mid-mounted motor with a chain drive which should get riders up to 75 mph. And while the battery size information is still unavailable, it is claimed to achieve a city range of 100 miles. However the company have also informed that the company can charge 80% in less than an hour. Production is set to begin in late 2023.

This is an electric motorbike, not an e-bike, which means a license as well as registration and insurance is required.

The size is similar to a Honda Grom with a seat height of 31” and small 15” wheels to keep it nimble and agile. It will also be lighter than a standard full size motorcycle, with the company aiming tor a target weight of ‘below 300 lb’.

This groundbreaking motorbike pays homage to classic moto-culture while still remaining in a class of its own.

CANDELA P-8, The Flying Hydrofoil Electric Boat Of The Future

Candela, a Stockholm - based company who are world leaders in hydrofoil based technology, have unveiled their latest craft, the P-8 Voyager. Hydrofoil boats ‘fly’ above the surface of the water and use significantly less energy.

The new P-8 is intended to replace commercial passenger craft and traditional water taxies that operate on combustion power. The hydrofoil technology was created by relying on the experience of Candela’s over 50 engineers, whom have experience from drone, aerospace and software industries.

The watercraft’s onboard flight controller has the ability to automatically alter the foil angle when the vehicle reaches 16 knots, allowing it to rise above the surface. Adjustments to roll, pitch and height are made 100 times per second through the controller so the boat can handle four to five foot waves.

The Candela leaves very like wake in its trail so will be well adapted to areas with many water taxis and will be able to keep the waters calm. The watercraft utilises a motor the is near maintenance free as it is absent of a transmission, which means the motor has no noise, oil or cooling fluid. Candela claim maintenance will only be required after 3,000 hours of use, unlike other motors where maintenance is suggested after 100 hours.

Battlefield Bikes: Ukraine Military Is Using Electric Bikes For Stealth Anti-Tank Weapon Transport

The e-bike is ideal for moving snipers and anti-tank weapons quickly and quietly around the battlefield. Ukrainian soldiers are using electric bikes to silently move across the battlefield to carry anti tank missiles or for snipers. The soldiers have been seen mainly using ELEEK electric bikes. Electric bikes, while potentially slower than traditional gas powered motorcycles, offer improved stealth options due to their quieter motors.

Further pictures have surfaced of soldiers modifying Delfast electric bikes to carry even heavier anti-tank missiles. The Delfast electric bikes can reach up to 50mph, and while slower than standard motorbikes, may ultimately travel the same speed over rough terrain. The quiet design and speed allows for these bikes to quickly move in to position and away. The low heat emission from electric bikes allow for greater resistance from heat detection and the absence of smell further reinforces the bikes stealth benefits.

These bikes are showing excellent usability for quick skirmishes and short recon missions, but while a range of 150Km and a recharge time of 5 hours from empty, the technology still has long journey to go to become the premier option for warfare. 

While Delfast and ELEEK are both Ukranian electric bike companies, Delfast US has made a statement that they have not sold any bikes or made modifications to support any military action. Although it appears they donated them free of cost, so it appears a semantic technicality.

We see electric bikes being adapted by militaries across the globe due to their strengths in regards to speed, flexibility and stealth. The Australian military have been testing them for many years and the Pentagon have been investing serious capital into finding solutions since 2014. They have a model named the SilentHawk that is said to be as loud as a vacuum cleaner and can reach 80mph. Another named is named, Nightmare, but there is little public information available.

Mercedes / Daimler unveil their new electric / hydrogen bus. Is this the future?

Daimler buses are planning on offering CO2 neutral buses in Europe by 2030 and to put their first electric city bus into action by 2025.

The hydrogen cells are intended as ‘range extenders’ for the battery cells. 600 of these hybrid hydrogen. / electric buses have already been produced.  The hydrogen / electric powertrains are Daimlers solution to carbon neutrality for their public and commercial transport production.

It also plans to retrofit their currently electric city bus, the eCitaro, with hydrogen fuels cells in 2023, only a year from now. This means the bus with have hybrid options to move between hydrogen and electric. The current eCitaro bus holds a 588-kWH battery providing 173 miles of range.

Daimler are hoping that the hydrogen extender will allow their buses to manage intercity travel, something that currently isn’t possible due to range restrictions on battery tech for heavy vehicles. The hydrogen extender is said to add approximately 80 miles on to the range.

Electric buses are staring to appear across the world, such as in South Korea and Russia but it may be some time before the tech and infrastructure becomes affordable for many cities across Europe and the world.