Motorcycles

Next-gen batteries: Hubless motorcycle gets a massive range boost

Next-gen batteries: Hubless motorcycle gets a massive range boost
Verge's stunning hubless nakedbike has been snapping necks and dislocating jaws for years – now it's taking aim at wrists and buttocks with a massive range upgrade thanks to next-gen batteries
Verge's stunning hubless nakedbike has been snapping necks and dislocating jaws for years – now it's taking aim at wrists and buttocks with a massive range upgrade thanks to next-gen batteries
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Verge's stunning hubless nakedbike has been snapping necks and dislocating jaws for years – now it's taking aim at wrists and buttocks with a massive range upgrade thanks to next-gen batteries
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Verge's stunning hubless nakedbike has been snapping necks and dislocating jaws for years – now it's taking aim at wrists and buttocks with a massive range upgrade thanks to next-gen batteries
The TS Pro now offers arguably the longest range of any electric production motorcycle today
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The TS Pro now offers arguably the longest range of any electric production motorcycle today
Besides the battery, Verge's ultra-powerful hubless motor is also remarkable
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Besides the battery, Verge's ultra-powerful hubless motor is also remarkable
The new 33.3-kWh solid state battery pack allows for a massive 373 miles of range
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The new 33.3-kWh solid state battery pack allows for a massive 373 miles of range
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We've been covering Estonia-based electric motorcycle outfit Verge for a good while now, because it's been on the cusp of something amazing: a hubless motor combined with the latest battery tech in a bike that delivers performance and range in spades. Today, the company revealed its upped the ante on the latter, making the Verge TS Pro arguably the longest range electric two-wheeler you can buy.

The updated TS Pro can now be had with an enormous 33.3-kWh solid-state battery pack, making for a whopping 373 miles (600 km) of range. The company also says its 200-kW charging power allows you to add 186 miles (300 km) in under 10 minutes.

That's way more than anything in production from the likes of Zero, Livewire, or Energica – please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in the comments. This kind of range means you can realistically do extended trips out of town without worrying about running out of juice, or having to wait around for ages while your bike charges long enough for the next leg of your journey.

World’s First Solid-State Production Vehicle | Say Goodbye to Range Anxiety

If you're wondering how Verge pulled this off, let's look more closely at the battery tech. A solid-state battery uses a solid material (like a ceramic or special polymer) to conduct electricity between its positive and negative sides, instead of the liquid or gel electrolyte found in regular lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This solid design allows it to store more energy in the same space (giving EVs longer range), and charge faster too.

The new 33.3-kWh solid state battery pack allows for a massive 373 miles of range
The new 33.3-kWh solid state battery pack allows for a massive 373 miles of range

The main reason we don't see them in most EVs yet is that they're still expensive and difficult to manufacture at scale; we only just saw MG launch the first production-model electric car powered by a solid state battery a few months ago in China.

Verge notes it's also worked on charge cycle durability and thermal management, to ensure the battery has a long life and consistent performance over years of use.

The TS Pro now offers arguably the longest range of any electric production motorcycle today
The TS Pro now offers arguably the longest range of any electric production motorcycle today

Beyond that, the TS Pro still gets the same eye-popping 737 lb.ft (1,000 Nm) of torque, 137 hp, and the ability to go from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. It was only a couple of months ago that this model was capable of a maximum of 217 miles (350 km) with a 20.2-kWh battery.

Verge says you can order an updated machine now, and expect it to be shipped to you in the first quarter of 2026. The company's bike configurator on its site lists the TS Pro with the larger battery at US$34,900 before taxes and fees. It's worth noting that's mentioned alongside a range of 344 miles, so it isn't clear if the order page has the final spec or pricing. We've written to ask, of course.

So yes, the singular privilege of riding a hubless bike for longer than any other electric two-wheeler made today will cost you. But at least it's real, and it'll hit the road soon enough.

Find the TS Pro on Verge's site.

Source: Verge Motorcycles on YouTube

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8 comments
8 comments
Chase
Great specs, but good God that's a hefty pricetag. Also, pretty sure that solid electrolyte resists electricity flow rather than conduct it.
vince
Man I wish I was born 20 years ago and closer to 80. Such a goos future for those wanting electric bikes and cars and trucks.
Zorg Lepton
The hubless aspect is a big question mark. Lots of stress on all those parts. How does it compare with a chain or drive shaft for durability? A very unique setup without readily available parts. Having a breakdown down, will probably put an end to your road trip.
Username
The front wheel should also be hubless.
Paul
@Zorg The hubless rear wheel greatly increases the unsprung weight the suspension has to deal with, not just because it's hubless but because they decided to integrate a big heavy motor into the wheel itself. I'd imagine the Verge's assembled rear wheel (wheel+tire+brake+motor) weight is probably double or triple the weight of a "normal" performance motorcycle's rear wheel (wheel+tire+brake).
From a durability standpoint I'd be worried about a sharp jolts from bumps damaging the motor. I've bent rims before after riding over a pothole, on a conventional bike it just makes the wheel look uglier, but on this bike it might strand you.
sleekmarlin
I agree with Vince. The electric future is so exciting. I hate petrol engines. I'm struggling to get my 3 year old petrol fire-fighting pump going, whereas my two electric pumps have been faultless for 20+ years. And I'd love to buy a vehicle-to-house electric car. I'm looking forward to the price of solid state greatly reducing over the next 10 years.
Trylon
@Zorg, aside from what Paul wrote, hubless wheels always put more stress on bearings. The hub center is obviously where the slowest rotation is. A bearing 4x the distance from the center will have to spin 4x faster at the same ground speed, for 4x more heat, rolling friction and wear.
Nelson
The back wheel is cool, but the rest of the styling is horrible!