Motorcycles

WMC and Mahle partner for electric "big hole" three-wheel police scooter

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Police officers and emergency first responders could soon be riding all-electris versions of the WMC300FR hybrid tilting three-wheel scooter, which will feature a "big hole" running through the middle to reduce drag and improve per-charge range
White Motorcycle Concepts
Police officers and emergency first responders could soon be riding all-electris versions of the WMC300FR hybrid tilting three-wheel scooter, which will feature a "big hole" running through the middle to reduce drag and improve per-charge range
White Motorcycle Concepts
Like the hybrid WMC300FR (shown) that was developed in collaboration with Northamptonshire Police, the all-electric model will be based on Yamaha's Tricity 300 tilting three-wheeler
White Motorcycle Concepts
The all-electric tilting three-wheeled scooter will feature a sizable air duct running through its middle, to cut down drag and extend per-charge range
White Motorcycle Concepts
Close up of White Motorcycle Concepts' V-Duct technology, seen here on the WMC300FR hybrid police scooter
White Motorcycle Concepts
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Following the development and rollout of a "big hole" hybrid three-wheeled scooter for police and emergency services, UK-based R&D outfit White Motorcycle Concepts has teamed up with Mahle Powertrain to produce a fully electric version.

Like the hybrid WMC300FR that was developed in collaboration with Northamptonshire Police, the upcoming electric scoot will be based on a Yamaha Tricity 300 tilting three-wheeler, and will include a central air duct design inspired by drag-reduction technology from White Motorcycle Concepts' electric land speed moto, the WMC250EV.

That means a gaping hole – or V-Duct – running through the middle of the electric scooter to cut down on drag as it zips along. While the focus for the record attempt is increasing top speed, the idea with this iteration is to get more range per charge, with the project engineers aiming for at least 100 miles (160 km). And the plan is to include fast-charging capabilities too, so the ride is ready to roll as quickly as possible.

Close up of White Motorcycle Concepts' V-Duct technology, seen here on the WMC300FR hybrid police scooter
White Motorcycle Concepts

Coming up with the best electric drivetrain for the tilting three-wheeler will be the job of technicians at Mahle Powertrain, who will analyze real-world data in a virtual environment to select the optimum mix of components and technologies for this specific use case. So why not just adapt an e-scoot or e-moto already in production?

"Existing electric motorcycles have been designed with the retail market in mind, and can be both expensive and slow to charge," said Mahle's head of research and advanced engineering, Jonathan Hall. "Because emergency services require high levels of availability and have an unpredictable demand, retail electric motorcycles are unlikely to present a cost-effective solution."

Various battery, charging and motor options will be looked into, as well as how best to squeeze them into the modified Tricity 300's chassis. It's early days, but the collaboration has confirmed that recycled carbon fiber will be used in the e-scoot's construction, the aim is to make use of a "downsized battery pack" to reduce the need for rare earth minerals, and the traction motor and transmission that make it through the selection process will be installed in a new rear swingarm.

Like the hybrid WMC300FR (shown) that was developed in collaboration with Northamptonshire Police, the all-electric model will be based on Yamaha's Tricity 300 tilting three-wheeler
White Motorcycle Concepts

That's about all White Motorcycle Concepts and Mahle Powertrain have shared for the moment, but we do know that the feasibility part of the process is due to close next month, after which project will move to prototyping and eventually to limited series production.

The hybrid WMC300FR scooter fleet has already allowed officers in Northamptonshire to become more visible in the area's communities, and it's expected the all-electric version will meet with similar success. Riders won't require any special training or additional permits, and the Metropolitan Police has indicated its suitability for high-speed work, even with fully packed panniers.

The tilting "big hole" e-scoot is not just being developed for police officers and emergency first responders either, it could also find use in inner city package delivery operations. The project is being funded by the Niche Vehicle Network, with support from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.

Source: White Motorcycle Concepts

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5 comments
jerryd
These are just needlessly complicated, heavy, costly. Can be replaced by a good center lift kickstand.
fen
I don't think these are needlessly complicated, heavy, or costly, or that they can be replaced by a center lift kickstand. But, and this is important, if they can be driven with a car licence which I believe they can.

It takes quite a long time to get trained on a motorbike for the police. With this, you could deliver 10 to a station and anyone really could start using them straight away. Its smart, its really a great idea. Just imagine if your local police station had 10 of them, any police officer going on a patrol could do a trip around the whole area in 15 minutes. If you stopped them and said you seen someone jump into a field down the road, they could get to the field in seconds, they could then drive really slowly around the field shining a torch in, they could even stand, and just come to a stop, edge forward, they see someone, sit, rev it, and off they go,. For me, these things have cops written all over them and seem a really good investment.
DavidB
I’d definitely look at one of these, if it makes it to the commercial market.
Jezzafool
How much advantage does the 'big hole' give? Couldn't that be designed for storage and replace the cases on the back? That would help aero and balance, with the weight being more central and lower down?
I realize that they would need quick and easy access to these items, but that could be designed in surely?
Trylon
jerryd, you're again fixated on static stability. The advantages of two front wheels are well-known. Chief among them is the increased grip up front. You've got twice the rubber on the road and are much less likely to lose front end traction. A rear-wheel slide in a turn is bad but often recoverable. A front-wheel slide is downright dangerous.