Is the Volta G/T a 175 mph electric motorcycle?
We have heard some interesting claims about upcoming electric vehicles before but 175 mph for the Volta G/T (pictured above) definitely raises some eyebrows. While being interviewed by CBS4 at his offices in Boulder, CO, we heard Electric Vehicle Company (EVC) president Bill Kent state that, "Performance wise, this bike will do zero to 50 in about 4.5 seconds". Ok, that's pretty quick and, for all we know, it's entirely possible. He then went on to say, "In the series you have top ends that range from about 120 to 175 miles per hour." Whoa! Now that's fast!
But is it true?
According to the specs listed (PDF) on the EVC website, the fastest bike in their 3 deep line-up is the EVC-21. The top speed listed for this lithium ion battery powered machine is 110 mph which is still pretty fast considering the Vectrix is "only" capable of a humble 62 mph. It could be that the information at the website is outdated or that possibly Mr. Kent misspoke. CBS reporter Dave Aguilera did take the bike for a ride but as he was not on a track (or wearing a helmet), we don't think he had the chance to wind it out. According to the report, six bike models will be available this summer with prices starting at $8,000. We look forward to news of the official launch and more details.
[Source: CBS4]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
D 3:58PM (5/11/2008)
110mph is approximately 177kph, so maybe there was a translation/conversion happening.
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hektik 4:21PM (5/11/2008)
mph or kph????
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Garythepowers 4:01PM (5/11/2008)
hmmm. An interesting option for the rising oil prices.
http://www.caroftheday.org
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Cervus 4:08PM (5/11/2008)
That's basically a Chinese Honda Reflex clone with batteries instead. I'd like to know what the range is.
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stevefazek 4:34PM (5/11/2008)
From the craptastic website to the lack and any real product development just re branding chiense scooters. I cant see this being around much longer
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jon 6:47PM (5/11/2008)
110 mph, i could believe. 175 mph, no way. 110 mph probably takes 30-40 horsepower on a refrigerator like this. 175... well, good luck fitting that motor under the bodywork, and good luck hitting top speed before your batteries run out.
not to mention that the only valid reason to look at this platform and think "175 mph!" is if you're shooting for a darwin award.
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Kevin Nugent 8:09PM (5/11/2008)
I seriously think he meant 175 km . But in any even if they can actually reach that speed thats great . It also possess more competitions for vectrix because there price is aorund the same thing and this company offers more performance.
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scott 8:15PM (5/11/2008)
It looks like it wouldn't stay on the road at 175 KPH, either.
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Eric Lemieux 8:24PM (5/11/2008)
Last time I checked, 175 mph or even kph will get you a ticket big time. I would prefer to concentrate efforts on longetivity and range over performance for that kind of bike. If it would be on a sport bike frame then maybe it would be possible. But on that frame? 100-110 kph is believable, but 175 kph is pure fantasy (I would not mind to be proven wrong).
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TomtenT 8:27PM (5/11/2008)
Simple.
kph - not mph.
A motorcycle that needs 4.5 sec
to reach 60 mph ( 96 kph )
will peak at a top speed of approx 175 kph
( ~ 110 mph, just ).
Must be a simple case of confusing numbers.
End.
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TomtenT 8:43PM (5/11/2008)
BAH ! I misread ! Sorry !
"will do zero to 50 in about 4.5 seconds"
- That isn't all that exciting for a motorcycle, and
indicates a top speed more like 100 mph ( ~ 160 kph ), realistically.
Apologise again for my former post.
( gee, wouldn't you want to be able to EDIT a mistake here ? )
Agree w. #9. Eric Lemieux that priority ought to be "longetivity and range" for this type of bike.
Cheers ! :-)
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steven 1:59PM (5/12/2008)
So what if he was mistaken on the 0-50 too and it was 4.5 sec 0-50kph??? Starting to seem a bit more realistic... and boring.
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steven 2:11PM (5/12/2008)
So much for the mph/kph conspiracy... Their web page makes things a lot clearer:
http://www.evc-llc.com/Data/Volta%20Brochure%2010-13-07.pdf
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Baumm III 8:01AM (5/13/2008)
With a 72 volts system, you can read 0 - 50 KM/H in 4.5 second and a range of 175 KMs. At $8.000 vs $11.000 for a Vetrix, I bid it cannot do more than this.
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Marc Gilbert 3:44PM (9/17/2008)
Wow! Those are some fast numbers being given for an electric bike!! I think EVC is right on track with their philosophy, and it would seem they are gearing themselves to be more mainstream than the other vendors in the electrical 2 wheel world! I wish EVC all the luck in the world to bring their products out quickly so we can have a chance to ride one!! Keeping my fingers crossed!
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Marc Gilbert 11:25PM (12/21/2008)
I am happy to see EVC USA making this type of motorcycle, and 100% Electric is ideal.
Rumors has it that they are introducing a new line for 2009, and it's even better than what they initially drafted for a would-be release in 2008, and instead saved the best for 2009. Why not release the best you can, and for this reason EVC delayed its release in 2008.
Hey, the best is always worth waiting for!
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