White Bike Ideas (WMC) and Zero Bikes have collaborated to prototype the world’s first electrical sports activities bike with WMC’s patented aerodynamic duct, lowering drag by 10%.
The businesses first linked on the 2023 EICMA bike present, the place they shared a imaginative and prescient targeted on advancing electrical automobile effectivity and efficiency. The design of Zero’s SR/S mannequin made it a perfect candidate to combine WMC’s aerodynamic know-how.
The ensuing WMCSRS idea incorporates a bespoke bifurcated duct that channels air from behind the entrance wheel and exits above the rear wheel. To boost airflow by way of the duct, WMC additionally designed a brand new aerodynamic entrance fender and fork shroud.
“The entire trade is presently going through an enormous technical and industrial problem to supply an electrical bike with efficiency near its petrol equal,” stated Robert White, Founder and CEO of White Bike Ideas. “This downside requires a mix of improvements to bridge the hole, not simply counting on battery know-how alone.”
In line with White, when he first noticed the Zero SR/S structure, he acknowledged the chance to retrofit WMC’s patented duct know-how. The ensuing proof-of-concept demonstrates the potential advantages of integrating aerodynamic enhancements into electrical bikes.
“Aerodynamics is a sizzling subject, particularly in MotoGP, the place winglets and different gadgets enhance lap instances, although this effectivity profit doesn’t at all times translate to retail bikes,” White defined. “Our clever aero duct enhances aerodynamic effectivity, positively impacting energy consumption, particularly at excessive speeds.”
The WMCSRS incorporates a vertically bifurcated duct that picks up air behind the entrance wheel and navigates the prevailing Zero SR/S construction, exiting slightly below the seat. Utilizing F1-style aero rakes, the engineering workforce analyzed the airflow to optimize the duct’s efficiency.
“From our preliminary assembly at EICMA, we’ve got been to know the potential affect of WMC’s aerodynamic duct,” stated Abe Askenazi, Zero Bikes CTO. “We’re dedicated to innovation, and whereas battery growth is advancing quickly, we consider a mix of applied sciences is the important thing to growing the electrical bikes of the long run.”
The ten% enhance in aerodynamic effectivity from the duct can be utilized to both lengthen the bike’s vary or cut back battery dimension and weight, slicing down on prices and cost instances.
“This proof of idea has given us priceless insights into the potential advantages of integrating an aerodynamic duct into electrical bikes,” Askenazi stated. “We’ll proceed to discover complementary technological developments to ship market-leading merchandise for our prospects.”
The collaboration between WMC and Zero demonstrates the potential for progressive partnerships to deal with the challenges going through the electrical bike trade.
