KIWI RIDER 06 2019 VOL.1 | Page 14

TRIUMPH DEVELOPING EV BIKES While many manufacturers are known to be developing EV motorcycles, over in the UK Triumph Motorcycles is going about things a little differently from the rest of the pack. Over the next two years, Triumph Motorcycles will work alongside Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd.’s e-Drive Division, the University of Warwick and government agency Innovate UK to develop technical innovation and advanced electric motorcycle capabilities. “Electric motorcycles will have a vital role to play in future transport across the globe – delivering reduced congestion and improved urban air quality as well as easing parking, says the University of Warwick’s Professor David Greenwood. They will also be great to ride, with copious, easily controlled torque delivered smoothly at all road speeds. WMG has experience of battery technology and vehicle electrification for road, rail, sea and air which it will bring to this exciting sector. Our expert team will lead the modelling and simulation work within the project to ensure the vehicles are safe and efficient without compromise to dynamic performance.” Triumph is calling the project TE-1, and hopes the resulting developments from the collaboration will provide significant input into potential future electric motorcycle offers from Triumph. The project will be organised into four main phases, with one of its key aims being increased systems integration. By developing individual components of automotive-based electric drivetrains and optimising them into innovative combined units, the project aims to deliver sophisticated electric motorcycle systems which reduce mass, complexity and package requirements. Could we see a classic or more modern electric bike from Triumph’s TE-1? 14 KIWI RIDER