Thumper Club Forum

Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: Ian on September 28, 2012, 11:36:18 AM

Title: Is this the future?
Post by: Ian on September 28, 2012, 11:36:18 AM
Is this the future of motorcycling?

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/uk/street
Title: Re: Is this the future?
Post by: mini-thumper on September 28, 2012, 04:50:42 PM
Hopefully not in my lifetime; and the way I'm ranting at the moment that might only be a few weeks! The most promising 'alternative fuel' system I've seen to date was the hydrogen cell that could be utilised across car, motorbike and domestic uses. Started off quite promisingly but probably wouldn't make enough money for the oil companies being so abundant so, if you'll pardon the pun, has been put on the back burner.

Boyd
Title: Re: Is this the future?
Post by: JOOLZ on September 28, 2012, 05:11:58 PM
Ok as toys, but until they can sort out the battery capacity problem and the charge time then electric vehicles are pretty useless. LI PO batteries are great but there is only enough lithium on earth for about 8 - 10 million units, lead is heavy and has a slow charge rate and other batteries also have limitations. Electric vehicles are pretty much a dead end unless there is a major breakthrough in new technology. Hydrogen is a sensable solution as is ethanol / methanol. Of course there is still plenty of coal, and you can make petrol from it easily enough
Title: Re: Is this the future?
Post by: Richard on September 28, 2012, 05:50:00 PM

They will get better - as did petrol engines.
Title: Re: Is this the future?
Post by: guest564 on September 28, 2012, 06:38:52 PM
I work in the auto industry and a few months ago I had a briefing about whats going to be happening in the industry up to around 2025. A lot of talk about small turbo charged petrol engines and micro-hybrids but no mention at all of electric vehicles, the manufacturers are forced to make them by governments pushing a 'green' agenda, without that I don't think they would bother.