Motorcycles

Indian startup develops an electric sportbike with 500-km range

Indian startup develops an electric sportbike with 500-km range
Mankame promises a big leap forward in range figures with the EP-1 electric sportbike
Mankame promises a big leap forward in range figures with the EP-1 electric sportbike
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For now, the Mankame EP-1 exists only in computer renders
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For now, the Mankame EP-1 exists only in computer renders 
Mankame plans a steel trellis frame for the EP-1
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Mankame plans a steel trellis frame for the EP-1
The final drive of the Mankame EP-1 is achieved via a Kevlar belt
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The final drive of the Mankame EP-1 is achieved via a Kevlar belt
Mankame promises a big leap forward in range figures with the EP-1 electric sportbike
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Mankame promises a big leap forward in range figures with the EP-1 electric sportbike
The Mankame EP-1 opts for sportbike looks and aerodynamics
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The Mankame EP-1 opts for sportbike looks and aerodynamics
The final shape of the Mankame EP-1 will be defined after aerodynamic testing
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The final shape of the Mankame EP-1 will be defined after aerodynamic testing
The Mankame EP-1 will come as standard with Öhlins forks and Brembo brakes
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The Mankame EP-1 will come as standard with Öhlins forks and Brembo brakes
Mankame designed the EP-1 as a typical sportbike
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Mankame designed the EP-1 as a typical sportbike
Initial planning previews a massive aluminum swingarm for the Mankame EP-1
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Initial planning previews a massive aluminum swingarm for the Mankame EP-1
The Mankame EP-1 will come with either a Showa or an Öhlins rear shock
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The Mankame EP-1 will come with either a Showa or an Öhlins rear shock
The slim silhouette of the Mankame EP-1
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The slim silhouette of the Mankame EP-1
Final drive of the Mankame EP-1
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Final drive of the Mankame EP-1
The Mankame EP-1 is a looker - on paper at least
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The Mankame EP-1 is a looker - on paper at least
Rider's view on the Mankame EP-1
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Rider's view on the Mankame EP-1
The Mankame EP-1's battery pack uses Samsung high-density cells
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The Mankame EP-1's battery pack uses Samsung high-density cells
View gallery - 15 images

Most electric motorcycles in the market can barely do more than 150 miles on a full charge, usually going for much less in reality. Mankame Automotive, on the other hand, suggests a 155 mph sportbike that, on paper, can exceed 300 miles, sporting high-end running gear and a very sensible price tag.

Based in Hubli, in the Indian province of Karnataka, Mankame Automotive is a new company looking to join the country's booming motorcycle industry and it is planning a pretty loud debut. The EP-1 is announced as an electric sportbike that can achieve longer range than any other battery-powered two-wheeler.

On paper, the specs seem a bit out of this world; 40 kW (54 hp) 8,000 rpm electric motor, 18.4 kWh battery, 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed, 310 mi (500 km) range. No motorcycle in the market can come close to matching comparable performance figures with this mileage per charge – let alone the fact that its power hardly sounds enough for such a speed ceiling.

The prime suspect for these numbers is the bike's battery, a liquid-cooled unit made of high-density Samsung cells, controlled by an advanced management system developed in-house. The whole power pack weighs up to 80 kg (176 lb), adding up to a total motorcycle mass of 180 kg (397 lb). Interestingly enough, Mankame says it will use its own proprietary software for the ABS and traction control systems as well.

Mankame plans a steel trellis frame for the EP-1
Mankame plans a steel trellis frame for the EP-1

The EP-1 will be built around a steel trellis frame, furnished with radial Brembo brakes and fully adjustable inverted Öhlins forks, while at the back the customer can choose between a Showa or an Öhlins TTX shock – the latter with a US$850 surcharge.

What stands out from the available specs is, of course, the motorcycle's range. As it turns out, these figures result from virtual testing in the lab, by simulating real-world conditions in computer models.

Mankame ran the simulations assuming a total rider-and-motorcycle weight of 551 lb (250 kg), limiting the power to 27.6 kW, the torque output to 88.5 lb-ft (120 Nm) and the current to 120A. The motorcycle's drag coefficient is calculated at 0.41, well in sportbike territory.

The theoretical tests have shown that the EP-1 can deliver the advertised 300-mi (500-km) range at an average speed of 51 mph (82.5 km/h) and can even do much more if this number falls down to city averages. What's even more impressive though is the notion that the EP-1's battery can sustain a 130 mph (210 km/h) run for 87 mi (140 km). Swapnil Mankame, the company's founder, claims that these tests are 95 percent accurate.

Rider's view on the Mankame EP-1
Rider's view on the Mankame EP-1

To get some perspective, an electric motorcycle with similar power characteristics, the Zero SR, declares a combined range of 150 mi (241 km) with the largest battery pack on offer (ZF14.4) and the extra power tank. But then we're talking about a $19,000+ price tag, whereas Mankame plans to charge $13,000 for the top EP-1 variant.

In fact, pricing starts from $8,500 for the base model, which will sport a 16 kW AC induction motor and a 12.16 kWh battery pack, delivering up to 199 mi (320 km) of range with an average speed of 43.5 mph (70 km/h) and top speed restricted to 75 mph (120 km/h).

For $10,500 the EP-1 comes with a 20 kW brushless DC motor and a 14.97 kWh battery, achieving 249 mi (400 km) between top-ups and speed capped at 112 mph (180 km/h).

The top version will enjoy the bigger 18.4 kWh battery with a 40 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, producing all those exciting performance figures that we would very much love to see come true. For that to happen though, we will have to wait some time.

A crowdfunding campaign will launch formally on July 1st and, should it come to fruition, the prototype will have to be constructed and thoroughly tested. Mankame predicts deliveries for sometime in 2022.

Source: Mankame

View gallery - 15 images
6 comments
6 comments
ChairmanLMAO
bike developers should be looking at the mazda and their compression ignite gas engine...
Jason Catterall
I'm developing one that has a 30hp motor, does 190mph and has a range of 900 miles. 'Cos I said so.
Tommo
Why do the majority of e-bikes look fugly? Almost all of them I've seen are not the best looking bikes I've seen, given the flexibility the designers have when compared to their ICE counterparts I'd have thought we would be seeing many more pleasing to the eye designs.
possum1
A current 190kg-ish 600cc 110 bhp sportsbike would struggle to achieve 250 km/h. I view the claimed numbers with suspicion - why would a totally metric country even claim range in miles and speeds in mph, unless they hope to raise Yankee dollars. The claimed torque is a huge - yes, I know electric motors are torque monsters - and in the range of big V-twins. I wish these folk well with their venture and hope they can substantiate their claims in real world riding.
MarcJackson
The very low CD and frontal area give it the range and ugly looks. If they can work around the nightmare that is operating with Li-ion cells. Simulation of a hybrid using advanced combustion reduces the issues of both and maximises the advantages of each when done correctly. Multiple combustion modes from ultra lean, jet Controlled compression ignition and even pressure gain using jet controlled detonation for ultimate thermal efficiency. Graphene super capacitors developed at Swinbourne University lead the world and you can scavenge and reduce load of the Li-ion cells. Why the telescopic forks they just lift the rear wheel on braking reducing regeneration that's just dumb
Gizmowiz
Now do the same power train in a low rider like the Yamaha Raider, Honda Fury, Suzuki Boulevard, HD hard tail, etc, etc.