In Europe, the Volta is finally coming
Spain-based Volta Motorbikes is about to start production of its small electric motorcycle.
First shown in 2011, the Volta has almost become a victim of the severe recession that touched Spain over the past few years. But is seems that the startup has finally found the financing to move ahead with production. Volta’s General Manager, Marc Barceló Cristina, told us “we are now preparing molds and tools in order to start the mass production, and also preparing our facilities to start the assembly”. The first production bikes are expected in May 2015.
The Volta will come in two versions, the City and the Sport. Both have the same performance: 11 kW continuous power, and 25 kW peak power (67Nm of torque), with a direct-drive belt transmission. The 3 kWh lithium-phosphate battery is made by Kokam and allows for a 70 km (43 miles) range. Top speed is 120 km/h (75 mph). The “gas tank” is actually a trunk which can fit a helmet.
In France, Volta will be distributed by Noun Electric, a distributor of electric vehicles. Noun is already promoting the bike at a price of €8,490 for the City and €8,990 for the Sport. For comparison, the BMW C-evolution electric scooter costs €15,400 for similar performances: 11 kW continuous power, 35 kW peak power (70 Nm of torque), same top speed but a range of 100 km (62 miles). In France, both vehicles are classified as 125cc-equivalent, which makes it possible to be driven by 16-year olds with an A1 driving license.
It will be interesting to see if there is a market for smaller size electric motorcycles, along with electric maxi-scooters.
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the Volta look nice
but the BMW C evolution com with a 8 kWh battery so he should have a 80-100 km range in real life
with 3 kWh the Volta should have ~30 km range at top speed, 70 km is for exclusively city ride
a good comparison is the zero FX 2.8 : http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-fx/specs.php
I agree with Erwan. I know first hand what can be achieved with a 3kWh pack and Volta’s expectations seem a little off. But I’d love to be proven wrong!
In the field running on a ZEV Electric motorcycle or scooter shows 100 watt hrs per mile when running at 70 mph / 113 km/h. So a 6 kw peak capacity (full charged /not nominal) battery pack yields 60 miles range/ 100 km. Dropping back to 55 mph / 88 km/h allows 75 watt hour consumption. The big LRC ZEV because of its streamlining, long body, and large mass motor does better getting 140 miles/225 km out of 10 kwh pack and just stomps the BMW. Regardless – that all bodes very badly for the 3 kwh cycle. Not much range possible.
The apparent size of the machine is similar to the Zero FX. However the FX packs 5.7 KwH and actually delivers 70 KM of range for big tall me. I cannot see the 3KWh pack doing the same. As for 25KW peak, that is quite disappointing again compared with the FX which delivers 33KW at the twist of the wrist. All of which makes me appreciative of the FX
Great looking; Just the 3 kWh battery seems to be pretty small. Combined with a brushed motor, the technic is not state of the art to me. But let´s see and take a look into the future. Brushlsess, 6 kWh, same power (looks good to me, these 25 horses)
Agreed. Needs a bigger capacity battery!
The entry-level FX also comes with a 3.3 kWh battery.
I agree, but the FX offers the possibility to double the capacity when using a second battery.