ELECTRIC speeds with an aerodynamic approach, White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) are aiming to smash the current land speed record on an electric motorcycle, and set new standards for electric tech in the process.
Utilising their electric-project motorcycle named the WMC250EV, the British firm is hoping the focus on aerodynamic experiments will be fruitful for the future of electric vehicle tech. As yet, we’ve not seen much in the way of specs or info about the motorcycle, and there are only a few silhouette images floating about online.
The full debut will be on the 23rd of June at Silverstone, where we’ll see the design and technologies for the first time. This tech includes the D-Drive & F-Drive systems, a Kinetic Energy Recovery & Deployment system, and final drive system respectively - but namely V-Air, the UK-patented drag reduction tech (patent pending in Europe, USA, Japan) that boasts 69% drag reduction at its peak.
Boasting such a high aerodynamic potential, the WMC250EV is designed to help minimise that pesky range anxiety that is oh-so-common in the motorised electric world. The thinking here is that by making the motorcycle as streamlined as possible, the same level of electric charge could achieve twice the range as the current market equivalent.
What better way to test this - and as a result build that bit of vital attention and funding from sponsors - than breaking some land-speed records?
With eyes set on the 228 mph (366.94 kph) record set in October 2020 by six-time world champion Max Biaggi aboard the Voxan Wattman, the British WMC team will be first taking on the Motorcycle Electric Semi Streamliner British Record this year - and in 2022 the Motorcycle Electric Semi Streamliner World Record.
Biaggi on the Voxan Wattman
Listed on the Guinness World Records site, the current fastest electric motorcycle (prototype) is 316.899 km/h (196 mph) set in 2011. I think that’ll need updating.
Who’s behind all this electric motorcycle hype?
Robert White is the founder and CEO of White Motorcycle Concepts, and as a racing engineer has over 22 years of experience in world-leading motorsports (including Formula 1 & sports car racing) with some of the worlds biggest names - he’ll also be piloting the WMC250EV in the attempt.
It doesn’t stop with the WMC250EV. In the WMC pipeline is the WMC300FR, a proof-of-concept electric motorcycle incorporated into a city motorcycle.
A thought here is how aerodynamics will improve the range of a motorcycle that’ll spend most of its days in gridlocked 20mph traffic, where aerodynamics play little part in range concerns. In truth, the WMC300FR will also make use of sustainable practices, with some parts manufactured from recycled plastic. Thought will also be paid to enhanced potential for heat exchanger cooling.
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It’s certainly a step in the right direction, in any case. Whether or not purely electric propulsion methods end up being the fuel of choice for future vehicles, the research here will no doubt prove valuable for an ever-changing market segment.
We’re sure a certain Guy Martin will be watching with intrigue, as he preps his custom Hayabusa…
Find out more on the White Motorcycle Concepts site, with the release tomorrow 23rd June.
