We recently wrote about the Quantya electric motorcycle built in Switzerland. Today they officially launched their U.S. distribution based in Syosset, NY.
Press release follows:
Quantya USA today announced the official launch and distribution of the Quantya FMX Electric Motorcycles for the US market. Quantya is the first electric competition ready electric motocross.
Quantya electric motorcycles are manufactured in the idyllic Swiss city of Lugano where serenity and technology have morphed to deliver the world’s sturdiest and technically advance dirt bike.
Relying on their determination of providing Swiss ingenuity and pride in craftsmanship, all Quantya motorcycles are EC certified and warranted for 2 years.
Quantya FMX Motorcycles use advanced Lithium Polymer Batter technology with proprietary electronics to power its 14KW motor with a 47V or 74V battery. A typical fully charged battery will launch the FMX to 40+ mph (governed) and give it a range of up to 2.5 hours.
Quantya SA is already a huge success in Europe where riders can go to local "Quantya Parks" and enjoy the thrill of these electric motorcycles on a rental basis.
With the tightening regulations concerning noise and emissions, motocross riders are given new possibilities to ride their favorite trails without disturbing or polluting the environment.
Link: Quantya U.S. website
Michael says
One of these would be awesome for casual trailriding as it wouldn’t scare off the wild life. My two-stroke and four stroke make the kangaroos go every direction including in front of me on my property. What’s the weight like? I suppose they’re expensive. My work computer won’t let me go to the link.
Space Weasel says
looks like 195 lbs. They say it’ll go 40 (flat out) for 25 miles. Decent range for some short trail rides.
Matt in NC says
Looking at the videos on the global site makes me want to get these on an indoor dirt track, like a rodeo arena or the like and have some flattrack fun! Now if only I knew how to ride a flattracker! I really need to got to that supercamp.
chris says
anybody see any reason it would be difficult to get one of these on the street? emissions sure wouldn’t be any trouble. can’t imagine lights and mirrors would muck up the performance at all. just use that turn signal sparingly i suppose. . .
todd says
As far as I can make out, the manufacturer must still have the motorcycle tested for DOT Federal Safety Standards compliance and EPA (and CARB) compliance in order for it to be registered as a on-highway vehicle. Even though it may pass emission testing easily it still would need to be verified and recorded. All this inspection and testing is apparently very expensive and often times not worth the effort (just look at the Versys and other vehicles that manufacturers don’t bother to have tested for some states – let alone the entire country).
There is a provision for “motorized scooters” where no registration or license is required. “Motorized scooters” must ride in biycle lanes or roads with 25mph posted speed limits. Why? I don’t know. Since the definition for this type of vehicle is very vague, you might be able to get away with calling it a motorized scooter but then you’d be stuck riding in bicycle lanes at 25mph.
-todd
Jason says
Anyone have an idea what these will be selling for? Christmas is around the corner.
Prester John says
Urban motocross parks. I like it.
Tom
Jay says
US version? http://www.electricmoto.com/
sfan says
These electric bikes are starting to get very real. A Forbes article (http://members.forbes.com/fyi/2007/0917/156.html) on the Electromoto BladeXTZ that Jay listed above includes these excerpts:
“Blade XTZ that equals or outperforms every gas-powered bike in its weight class (200cc–250cc). Best of all, it does so without making a sound. “This isn’t cheap environmental transportation,” says Schless, now CEO of Electric Moto Corporation, a small firm operating out of Ashland, Oregon. “This is a high-performance motorcycle that will go up against anything out there its own size.”
“And at 178 pounds, it’s 25 to 50 pounds lighter and creates more torque (250 pounds) than most of its competition.”
“The bike gets about four hours out of a single charge when ridden off-road; on-road it can travel 60 to 70 miles before recharging. Maximum speed is about 50 miles an hour.”
“The Blade XTZ costs $9,950. Add $475 for lighting package and street tires. http://www.electricmoto.com.”
JC says
todd,
It really depends on the state, but I assure you in Texas we could get it registered on the street.
to do so you need the appropriate lights and DOT legal tires (and they rarely check the tires) and you pay the money to get the title modified.
Any four stroke dirt bike is A-OK 🙂
Insideous says
Dont forget about the http://zeromotorcycles.com (aka http://electricross.com ). With 3 possible makers, I want to see some races.
The Quantya’s indoor/outdoor tracks that allow rental of their bikes has really been increasing their exposure and allowing test driving. I can definitely see how riders that may be debating about electric can get a chance to get over their initial apprehension as well as bring in funds. Heck, combined with minimotos on an indoor course, I can see a real venue for expansion.
todd says
Street licensing is easy to obtain with a modified off-road bike that already has a title from the get-go. Unless the manufacturer registers the vehicle with the DOT and EPA or provides a certificate of origin that confirm it is, in fact, a motorcycle, this would be like trying to register your kids Barbie Corvette as a car. As far as I can tell, these electric bikes are classified as a retail item, not a vehicle.
I don’t know what sort of rigum-a-roll is required for manufacturers to register a vehicle but aiming for the gray areas will only get the thing outlawed, much like mini-motos, pocket bikes, and stand-up scooters.
I may be wrong. Is this thing really, legally classified as a motorcycle?
-todd
alex says
Why do they use a Brushed motor?? 3 phase Brushless motors are so more more efficient(over 90%). so many companies producing fantastic brushless motors. The Tesla car uses a 3ph Brushess motor. Does anyone know of a Brushless MX bike
haracteristics: Maximum speed: 60 Km/h approx.
Autonomy: 30 – 180 min
Rotor brakes: Front 220 mm
Rear 200 mm
Fork: Marzocchi Shiver 35 mm
Suspension: Sachs
Battery: Technology: Quantya® LiPo
Energy Center
Voltage: 48 V
Recharge 100%: 120 min approx.
Cycles of charge: 1’000
Warranty: 2 Years
Motor & transmission: Motor: Axial Gap D.C. brush
Max power: 14 kW
Max torque: 31.5 Nm
Transmission: First belt
Second chain
Setup: Software: Quantya® Telemetric
System
Dimension: Weight: 89 kg
Wheelbase: 1310 mm
Saddle height: 915 mm
Rim: Front 18″
Rear 18″