White Motorbike Ideas (WMC) and Zero Bikes have collaborated to prototype the world’s first electrical sports activities bike with WMC’s patented aerodynamic duct, lowering drag by 10%.
The businesses first related on the 2023 EICMA bike present, the place they shared a imaginative and prescient centered on advancing electrical automobile effectivity and efficiency. The design of Zero’s SR/S mannequin made it a great candidate to combine WMC’s aerodynamic expertise.
The ensuing WMCSRS idea incorporates a bespoke bifurcated duct that channels air from behind the entrance wheel and exits above the rear wheel. To reinforce airflow by way of the duct, WMC additionally designed a brand new aerodynamic entrance fender and fork shroud.
“The entire business is presently going through an enormous technical and industrial problem to supply an electrical bike with efficiency near its petrol equal,” mentioned Robert White, Founder and CEO of White Motorbike Ideas. “This drawback requires a mix of improvements to bridge the hole, not simply counting on battery expertise alone.”
In response to White, when he first noticed the Zero SR/S structure, he acknowledged the chance to retrofit WMC’s patented duct expertise. The ensuing proof-of-concept demonstrates the potential advantages of integrating aerodynamic enhancements into electrical bikes.
“Aerodynamics is a scorching subject, particularly in MotoGP, the place winglets and different gadgets enhance lap instances, although this effectivity profit doesn’t all the time translate to retail bikes,” White defined. “Our clever aero duct enhances aerodynamic effectivity, positively impacting energy consumption, particularly at excessive speeds.”
The WMCSRS incorporates a vertically bifurcated duct that picks up air behind the entrance wheel and navigates the present Zero SR/S construction, exiting slightly below the seat. Utilizing F1-style aero rakes, the engineering crew analyzed the airflow to optimize the duct’s efficiency.
“From our preliminary assembly at EICMA, we now have been to grasp the potential impression of WMC’s aerodynamic duct,” mentioned Abe Askenazi, Zero Bikes CTO. “We’re dedicated to innovation, and whereas battery improvement is advancing quickly, we consider a mix of applied sciences is the important thing to creating the electrical bikes of the long run.”
The ten% enhance in aerodynamic effectivity from the duct can be utilized to both lengthen the bike’s vary or cut back battery dimension and weight, reducing down on prices and cost instances.
“This proof of idea has given us useful insights into the potential advantages of integrating an aerodynamic duct into electrical bikes,” Askenazi mentioned. “We are going to proceed to discover complementary technological developments to ship market-leading merchandise for our prospects.”
The collaboration between WMC and Zero demonstrates the potential for modern partnerships to handle the challenges going through the electrical bike business.
