A fresh perspective on electric motorcycles
Electric urban mobility is an ever-changing segment that is progressively enhancing year on year.
Many automakers have made attempts toward the idea of “ultimate mobility” by producing small scooters. Asian countries make more effort because of the overwhelming congestion.
One company has managed to push the concept over the boundary. Introduced at the Shenzhen International Industrial Design Fair, the Motochimp, is a new compact, electric-motorcycle.
Electric scooters were initially made as an accessory to cars. Such is the example of Peugeot offering the e-Kick electrically assisted scooter alongside the 2017 Peugeot 3008 SUV. But the Motochimp created by Singaporean electric experts, Vanda Electrics, is a complete standalone model.
The Motochimp aims to be a stylish, two-wheel, zero emissions substitute to walking and traditional urban transport, offering a cost-effective solution. It also charges fast, under an hour fast, as to not hamper on quick city mobility or busy schedules. It can travel up to 60km’s on a full charge. For added convenience, it doesn’t require any special charging points because it charges from a regular AC power plug.
Structure
The Motochimp gets its power from a 48V 350W electric rear hub motor while drawing might from a lithium-ion battery. This allows the bike to accelerate comfortably to a cruising speed of 30 km/h. (“Commonly used in electric bicycles, a hub motor is an electrical motor coupled to the wheels of a vehicle.”)
The 750mm wheelbase with aluminium body makes it durable and able to make it through tight squeezes easily. The Motochimp bike will also be available in a variety of colours. Other interesting features include an AC power plug that fits under the seat, and a contactless digital ignition lock over the traditional key.
The reason for its simplistic look comes from a sketch made by a 10-year old girl. Larissa Tan, Vanda Electrics CEO, explains: “When you’re on the Motochimp, you put enchantment back into everyday life. You see fun and wonder through the eyes of a child. We’ve really let our imaginations run free and we’re very proud of the results.”
The monkey bike concept is not particularly new. Honda introduced the Z100 in 1961. The Z50 Monkey bike later followed. The bike became a popular choice for motorcycling youngsters in that era.
These bikes were powered by a 3.4kW (4.5-horsepower), 49-cubic-centimetre single horizontal cylinder four-stroke engine, and had a seat height of less than 560mm.
The Motochimp will launch in Japan and around Asia. Thereafter, it will make its way to the UK and through Europe. It will carry a price tag of USD 2,000 (just under R30,000).
Personally, I don’t think it’s something safe enough to take to the roads. Well, definitely not South African roads, keeping in mind the high rate of road accidents that take place on a daily basis. There are certain factors like people racing from robot to robot. Not forgetting four cars, a taxi and a bus rolling through a red light. That driving behaviour puts young people on this kind of motorbike at particular risk.
It’s clear to me that this motorbike is something made for the pavement or for teens to play around on in the quiet residential streets, and not for highways, but that’s probably why there’s no plans of bringing it to Africa as yet. I doubt I would ever be seen riding this despite its convenience.
