Here’s a presentation given by Neil Saiki, president of Zero Motorcycle at the Google complex in May 2009. The video is around an hour long, but it’s well worth the time. As a product development person myself, I find it fascinating to listen to his recounting of the development of their EV motorcycle technology.
Zero-S EV Motorcycle
Saiki’s history is inspiring. After earning a master degree in aeronautical engineering, he became project manager and chief designer for a human-powered helicopter. Then, he worked on a high-altitude surveillance aircraft with a hundred foot wind span and an emergency stabilizing parachute. The following years found him working at NASA doing pure research and technology studies about transportation alternatives, including fuel cells and electric. During his free time, he would develop rock climbing equipment and high-tech mountain bikes.
Around 16:00, Saiki explains his reasons for going full electric:
Advantages:
- Power/weight potential is incredible.
- Green house gases are a fraction.
- Mechanical reliability.
- Mechanical simplicity. Faster to develop.
Challenges:
- Battery capacity
- Battery safety.
Not surprisingly, the biggest challenge has to do with batteries. Yet, despite all the rationalizing there’s another reason for his career choice: electric motorcycles are a lot of fun. In doing so, he used his bicycle manufacturing experience to help lower cost while increasing efficiency.
Saiki mentions that his ultimate goal is to become “the Ford of electric Motorcycle: bringing affordable electric vehicles to the masses.” Funny, I’ve read the same thing about Tesla’s Elon Musk. Same battle, two plans.
Nowadays the batteries of fuel cell are legitimate, you can charge them up but it’s hard to find non explosive technology for most motorcycles. I’m happy to see how fast the EV is evolving.