This month, electric motorcycle companies Fuell and Energica went out of business. They join a list of companies that died after poor sales

This month, electric motorcycle companies Fuell and Energica went out of business. They join a list of companies that died after poor sales

  • LowtierComputer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    24·
    3 days ago

    The highway efficiency losses are due to the inefficiency of the electric motors running at the higher speeds.

    • humanspiral@lemmy.caEnglish
      41·
      3 days ago

      No. It is aerodynamics vs weight balance. Low speed, weight matters a lot. High speed takes major power to overcome air resistance especially if geometry is like a Harley instead of a motosport race bike. Electric motors are most efficient at top RPMs.

    • frezik@midwest.socialEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      That doesn’t explain all the data. EVs would also show a much greater drop on highway range than they do.

      Aerodynamics is at play, here. Motorcycles have a better frontal cross section than cars, but their drag coefficient is much worse.

      Edit: also, the drop in efficency at high speed is small. Depends on the type of motor, but it’s usually only a few percent:

      https://electricalacademia.com/induction-motor/three-phase-induction-motor-performance/

      • LowtierComputer@lemmy.worldEnglish
        14·
        3 days ago

        Please show the drag coefficients being so much worse?

        Every number I find is very similar if not better.

        • frezik@midwest.socialEnglish
          4·
          3 days ago

          https://airshaper.com/videos/motorcycle-aerodynamics/qrH_QBOrqbw

          Unfortunately, open wheels, sharp edges, exposed components and a constantly moving rider cause all sorts of disturbances to the airflow. This makes it extremely difficult for air to remain attached and so the flow separates, creating wakes and generating drag. Consequently, the drag coefficient of a motorbike can range from 0.5-1.0 which is double that of a modern car.

          The best cars are around 0.2. EVs have been getting close to that because they get hit hard on highway range if they don’t. ICE cars tend to be closer to 0.3.