I’m not against electrics’ performance or progress (most petrol heads on this site would probably agree, but I don’t want to speak for anyone).

The ‘orchestra’ of gears, chains, lobes, valves, shafts, bearings, etc. to simply mix fuel and air together is going to be missed. In addition, all of this orchestrated movement is housed in very stylish packaging (e.g. Vincent engine, Panhead, countless singles, etc.). Even a modern liquid cooled motorcycle has a lot to look at & discuss when it is parked after the ride. That is part of the ownership experience. Will electrics offer the same experience or depth of conversation after the ride?

Nonetheless, progress is underway and I’m looking forward to the next 50-60 years. This TT is going be awesome. Something to talk to kids about generations from now.

We really feel the trick with zero emissions vehicles, at this stage in their development, is to give motorcyclists (and petrol heads in general) what they know and more importantly love. This is why the illustrations we have made for the EV-0RR are very ‘MotoGP’ in proportion and stance. Up until now the problem with all zero emissions vehicles is they all appear to be emasculated, everything from the General Motors EV1 in the 90’s, to the Prius and the Seymour Powell ENV Hydro bike and even the Mission One TTXGP entry, are so desperately trying to communicate their innovation through semantics. I don’t look at a bike and get turned on or off by the measurement of g/km of carbon dioxide are emitted, I really don’t care it’s the complete sensory experience that bikes stimulate. For example I love 2 strokes for the way they only deliver power in a small powerband, you need to be ‘on the boil’ at all times. Equally I love big inline fours because of the ‘point and squirt’, ‘world goes backwards’ experience. I get excited by bikes; that’s my passion so give me a bike. If that bike has a torque curve like a table top (as an electric motor will) then I’m interested irrelevant of whether it runs on fresh air or by burning endangered tree frogs from the Amazon (I’m perhaps exaggerating a little to make a point).

I honestly feel that we haven’t yet had a chance to really understand what the experience could be. I love power tools, the sound they make, don’t tell me you don’t ‘blip the throttle’ on your cordless drill from time to time. Or think about the smell of a hot electric motor remember your days playing with Scaleletrics (slot cars). When you get of the bike it will still ‘ping’ as the disc cool down. I’m not saying EV’s will replace the internal combustion motorcycle, and I will always own a 2T, but in the future it could be another fun addition to the range of toys we can play with.

Based on the positive feedback so far I think we have managed to fulfil our brief, and people appear to like the proposal.

A considerable amount of work has already been completed, defining a package layout to accept the twin motors and battery packs that will be required. The theory of a monocoque is to dispense with the usual frame and replace it with bodywork which takes most of the stress. This is perfectly suited to an electric motorcycle because unlike a conventional engine the batteries and motor are separate components and can be packaged inside the body shell for the best weight distribution.

The carbon-fibre monocoque chassis that the Ev0-rr will run is an evolution of the planned Lotus superbike, which was seriously considered by the Norfolk firm in the late 1990s, designed by legendary racer and engineer Peter Williams. The bodywork for the Williams-designed motorcycle is made from two parts of carbon fibre, which clamp together around the engine. Once they are bolted together they form a stiff shell, providing all the rigidity the motorcycle needs. Based around an eggshell design, it is split vertically down the middle with an aluminium section to hang the electric motors and batteries from. Although Lotus stopped the project, Peter Williams continued to pursue the concept, and is now working with the team at Evo Design Solutions to adapt the concept for the EV0-RR.

Power will come from twin electric motors although the team are keeping predicted output details a closely guarded secret. The chaps at Evo Design Solutions have a huge task ahead of them, with less than 100 days to go until race day, there’s a lot to do but we very much look forward to seeing this exciting bike progress.

does anyone know who will be broadcasting this race? i would like to watch it.