International Dealer News 162 Aug/Sept 2021 IDN162 August/September 2021 | Page 31

KTM-backed EMotion electric project update
THE BRADLEY REPORT

KTM-backed EMotion electric project update

After a year of development work , a consortium including the Austrian Institute of Technology and KTM is approaching the prototype stage for a project exploring the future of lightweight , efficient electric bikes . Called EMotion , the goal is to create a scooter-style electric bike aimed at young riders in the 16-18 age group and older riders over 50 . It ' s intended to be inexpensive , efficient and comfortable while offering a direct alternative to traditional combustion engine bikes . To achieve those targets the consortium , which also includes KTM ' s sister company and styling partner Kiska , has set goals of increased efficiency compared to current alternatives , lightweight construction for improved performance , and an innovative ' human-machine interface '. The project kicked off in March last year
and instantly faced the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic , preventing physical meetings between members of the consortium . That led the team to turn to the use of augmented-reality technology to allow members to meet in virtual settings and see the computer models of the project as though it was real . Since the start of the project , work has focussed on the chassis and drivetrain , using data collected from a sensorequipped test vehicle used on a variety of roads to set parameters for simulation of the new bike ' s components . This led to the adoption of a steel tube frame with aluminium alloy elements , and the establishment of the riding position and the shape and location of the battery pack , all
THE BRADLEY REPORT
optimising storage space and usability . The motor technology was also chosen - a permanent magnet synchronous design - and the team is now focussing on the development of the charging hardware using gallium nitride semiconductors to achieve high charging power from a small unit . Project coordinator Thomas Bäuml from the AIT Center for Low-Emission Transport said : " We are well on the way to actually getting the e-two-wheeler on the road . However , there are still some technological hurdles to be overcome before the prototype can be built . The concentrated innovative strength of the EMotion consortium makes me confident that our mobility solution will be an integral part of the transport system in just a few years ."

Ohvale GP-2

Getting young riders into competition early is clearly a key to success at the highest level later in life , and Italian company Ohvale has been helping achieve that for several years with its GP-0 minibike . Now it has launched a larger , mid-line model dubbed the GP- 2 to help riders progress towards full-size machines . In the UK , the GP-2 is imported ( along with the GP-0 ) by TT star Peter
Hickman , who also set up the Ohvale UK Cup in 2020 , helping find the next generation of racing stars . The GP-0 is available with a range of engines from 110 cc to 212 cc , with automatic or four-speed transmissions and 10 inch wheels . In contrast , the GP-2 comes only with the 190 cc fourstroke single , but gets 12 inch wheels to provide a riding experience that ’ s closer to that of a full sized bike . The 190 cc engine is said to make 25 hp , enough to give the 75 kg GP-2
plenty of power , and it sits in a new chassis that increases the wheelbase and improves the weight distribution . Compared to the GP-0 , a 25 mm longer swingarm keeps the proportions right , while the seat height and bar positions are also tweaked to accommodate the slightly larger riders that the GP-2 is aimed at . Options include improved suspension , a race dash and a datalogger . In the future , there are plans to introduce a 190 cc Ohvale class to the existing 110
cc ( for 8 to 12-year-olds ) and 160 cc ( for 10 to 14-year-olds ) classes in the Ohvale UK Cup , providing another step towards full-size 125 cc or Moto3 race bikes .
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