Green County Choppers? OCC creates custom electric chopper
Click above to watch the video after the break
Following Orange County Choppers' frequent use of alt-fuels (see E85 bike and natural gas bike) comes something a wee bit different from what we're used to seeing from the New York-based custom motorcycle crew: a fully electric chopper. Commissioned by Siemens USA, the zero-emissions motorcycle is powered by a 27-horsepower electric motor from Advanced DC and can go an estimated 60 miles per charge after a five-hour charge. Top speed is listed at 100 miles per hour, likely making this one of the fastest bikes ever to roll out of the OCC showroom.
Naturally, you'll get to watch the build take place on an episode of American Chopper that's currently scheduled to air on TLC on Thursday, October 22 at 9PM. Says Paul Teutul, Sr.:
At this time, OCC is saying it has no plans to mass produce an electric chopper, but Senior says it's would consider it if adequate demand were there. In any case, you'll get the chance to own this one after Siemens take it on a worldwide tour in 2010 as it will be auctioned off with the benefits going to "a charitable cause that will help benefit the environment." Click past the break for a video along with the press release.Building an electric bike from recycled materials was something new for us, but we definitely enjoyed the challenge and think that the end product makes a great addition to our wide range of unique motorcycles. While electric bikes probably won't surpass traditional ones for the foreseeable future, we also think that energy efficient technologies are increasingly important for both manufacturers and consumers.
[Source: Siemens]
VIDEO:
PRESS RELEASE:
Siemens Unveils the First Custom 'Green' Electric Chopper
First Electric Bike Made by Famed Orange County Choppers; Will Be Featured on Hit TV Show and Donated to Charity
NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens (NYSE: SI) announced today that it has teamed up with renowned custom motorcycle manufacturer Orange County Choppers to build the first custom electric motorcycle. The "Siemens Smart Chopper," which will be featured on the hit TV show American Chopper, was unveiled today in an event at the Time Warner Center.
"We wanted to build this unique chopper to raise environmental awareness and reflect what the 69,000 employees of Siemens USA are doing to help America stay on the cutting edge of tomorrow's green economy," said Daryl Dulaney, President & CEO of Siemens Building Technologies. "Siemens is already very much a part of the fabric of America, and our portfolio is one of the greenest in the business. Green is not marketing hype for us; it is in our DNA."
"If energy or energy efficiency is involved--Siemens is involved," said Randy Zwirn, CEO of Siemens Energy, Inc. "Our technologies are helping to more efficiently and cleanly produce, deliver, consume and conserve energy. And these technologies are here today. This bike represents the spirit of innovation and passion we have for seeking sustainable solutions for our planet."
Orange County Choppers, a leading manufacturer of custom motorcycles, built the Siemens Smart Chopper over the course of a month. Siemens also developed a compatible Smart Grid-ready charger which communicates with the utility to enable charging when the electricity is most affordable.
The motorcycle features and design include:
* First electric chopper by Orange County Choppers
* Recycled materials
* Advanced DC Motors Inc. Series Wound 8" motor
* LED lighting by OSRAM SYLVANIA, a Siemens company
* 27 Peak horsepower and maximum speed of 100 MPH
* Range of 60 miles on a single charge
* On-board charger that can be plugged into any 110-volt outlet
"Building an electric bike from recycled materials was something new for us, but we definitely enjoyed the challenge and think that the end product makes a great addition to our wide range of unique motorcycles," said Paul Teutul, Sr., founder of Orange County Choppers, based in Newburgh, N.Y. "While electric bikes probably won't surpass traditional ones for the foreseeable future, we also think that energy efficient technologies are increasingly important for both manufacturers and consumers."
Teutul is the driving force behind the family-owned business that grew from a hobby into a 70-person-plus operation that produces and sells 150 custom bikes a year to a broad public ranging from private individuals and celebrities to professional sports teams and Fortune 500 companies. Teutul's custom bike shop is featured on American Chopper, a reality-style TV show, since 2002.
The American Chopper episode featuring the Siemens Smart Chopper is scheduled to air on TLC on Thursday, October 22 at 9PM ET/PT.
Siemens plans to showcase the Smart Chopper at energy and industrial tradeshows and conferences in the coming months. In 2010, the motorcycle will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to a charitable cause that will help benefit the environment.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jpm 7:50PM (8/12/2009)
Contrast this to the tesla electric car coverage by Faux News.
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jpm 7:51PM (8/12/2009)
That thing's big ugly and oafy. It's about the size of the Killacycle with 1/10 th the performance.
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dg 9:04PM (8/12/2009)
1) This thing doesn't look anywhere near the size of the killacycle, nor does it even look that big.
2) Ugly? Eh, it's not the BEST looking thing, but calling it ugly is a stretch, not to mention an opinion.
3) 1/10 the performance? That depends on what you're looking for. What is the range on the killacycle under normal driving conditions?
4) This isn't being mass produced, and I don't think OCC claims to be an expert EV bike maker... yet.
You can argue your points all you want, but my questions to you is, why are you ripping on this thing like it's going to be elected president? It's just for a marketing stunt. They never claimed it was the best at anything. Just a cool project.
Dave R 9:08PM (8/12/2009)
Comparing the performance of the Killacycle to the OCC electric chopper is like comparing a supercharged drag bike to a Harley Davidson.
The drag bike will do a quarter mile in 5 seconds and 200+mph. A Harley will take at least twice as long at half the speed.
Travis 8:03PM (8/12/2009)
That thing looks great... they did a nice job.
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russellgeister 8:01PM (8/12/2009)
why is it people think chopper builders are anti tech and anti inovation .when they in fact love using new tech and old tech and even puting the two together occ is a cutting edge company but they still like the old school weather you want a bike with the latest tech or an old school bike they will build it for you if you have the cash to pay for your dream to be made real .also paul snr often fronts his own cash and time for charities.
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Zeph 8:34PM (8/12/2009)
I like how he just threw in the first high number that came in his head when they asked for a price...
They could probably build and sell that thing for 20 000$ It does need a better battery pack though, something that would at least give it a 100 mile range, as well as some sort of quick charge option and possibly regenerative breaking (if it hasn't got it already, didn't read the charectaristics anywhere).
That said, kudos to OCC for actually making an electric chopper with style and presence and even a fair bit of performance, minus the range.
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GomezVepr 8:40PM (8/12/2009)
Of all the electric motorcycles available today, I would say this is probably one of the nicest looking bikes around.
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jpm 11:29PM (8/12/2009)
You miss the isle of man TTGXP???
Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com 9:22PM (8/12/2009)
Paul Sr. is awesome but MAN he stumbled on them words! :P
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Ray 9:51PM (8/12/2009)
I wondered when they were going to do this. I am glad they did it!
There should be a show where they take gas vehicles and pimp them into cool EV's that will go 200 miles on a charge and perform well. Instead of just pimping a gas car into a nicer gas car. It would be called "Pimp my Conversion" or "Convert my Pimp", maybe "Electrify my Pimp-mobile".
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Rojo 12:13PM (8/13/2009)
The title of the show you're looking for is:
"Amp My Ride"
Thank you, I'll be here all week.
And I'll sue if that shows up somewhere. God help me, I'll sue!
Ray 12:56PM (8/13/2009)
AMP MY RIDE. I am going into production on this a week from today. Yes It should air on the discovery channel August 22, 2009.
Rojo, I will need your mailing address to send you the royalties check. LOL
Rick 11:24PM (8/12/2009)
a million dollar toy? - I'll take two!
well no - I wouldn't want it but I would rent it for an hour or so
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Rick 11:27PM (8/12/2009)
a million dollar toy? - I'll take two!
well no - I wouldn't want it but I would rent it for an hour or so
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Rick 11:27PM (8/12/2009)
I'd say it 3 times - but I'm too busy to repost
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Brammofan 9:10AM (8/13/2009)
I like Ray's idea of a "pimp my chopper" and "electrify my pimpmobile." Seriously... I'd watch it.
This was a fun PR stunt and it's generated a lot of buzz for both OCC and Siemens. If it happens to have the additional effect of generating interest in EVs for someone who might not have thought about them before, then I'm all for it.
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Ernie 3:49PM (8/13/2009)
"OCC is saying it has no plans to mass produce an electric chopper"
Really? They mass produce anything at all? :) They're kind of a custom shop.
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