Electric Two-Wheelers Push Green Mobility at INTERMOT Cologne

A major theme and a centerpiece of the 2010 INTERMOT Cologne, one of the world's biggest fairs for motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles in the German city held Oct. 6-10, is "e-Motion," a section whose witty name suggests a focus on electric vehicles that stir emotions.

Even more relevant is the new e-Motion exhibit clearly showed that electric two-wheelers are market-ready, practical commuting tools especially in urban areas.

Over 120 suppliers in Hall 5.2 and almost 350 brands showcased new, innovative light electric vehicles (LEVs)—pedelecs and e-bikes—as well as e-scooters and e-motorcycles, all of which push the future into eco-friendly personal mobility.

The show organizer says that the e-vehicle exhibitors reported very encouraging visitor turnouts and also enjoyed extensive press coverage, which helped to further build exposure for e-mobility as a vital solution for the future. The ample visitor turnout was due to test tracks set up for all kinds and brands of electric two-wheelers.

Electric mobility was also the topic of various symposiums and conferences, including the LEV Conference in cooperation with ExtraEnergy.org and the e-congress addressing electric power for short-range mobility, organized in collaboration with the Bicycle-Friendly Towns and Municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia Working Group. In addition, INTERMOT Cologne hosted the general meeting of the international LEV Association (LEVA).

Exhibitors from Taiwan, arguably the kingdom of motor scooters, proved themselves at e-Motion by showcasing a spate of e-vehicles, clearly demonstrating their capacity to “electrify” their years of involvement in motor scoter building.

SYM
Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd. (SYM brand), a top-three PTW manufacturer in Taiwan and major PTW exporter, unveiled two pure-electric scooters targeting the ultra-light and light segments.

One was the Symmetry, an extremely compact e-scooter with surprisingly large storage of 8 liters, which is commendable considering most counterparts have storage bins filled with batteries. It also has a liquid crystal display (LCD) dashboard showing battery level, turn signal, mileage and speed. Other features include a 35W headlight, aluminum alloy wheels and double rear springs, helping to achieve good illumination, safety and comfort. Plus with its 420mm long and 300mm wide foot well allows ample room for rider's legs.

The other was the E-Woo, an e-scooter that is designed to look like a conventional scooter but is lighter and much more eco-friendly.

The most desirable feature of the E-Woo is the big-capacity onboard lithium battery pack that offers sufficient range so commuters need not worry about real-world use. Also its more powerful 3.5KW motor means improved climbing ability and acceleration; while luxurious touches include the multi-functional LCD dashboard.

E-Ton & Matra
E-Ton Power Tech Co., Ltd., an affiliate of E-Ton Group of Taiwan that has over 1,600 employees worldwide working on electro-mechanical integration, development and production of eco-friendly and energy-saving transportation vehicles, exhibited several e-scooters, including the e-MO, e-MO Plus, and the e-MO XP.

The e-MO weighs only 50kgs with the battery pack, has 14-inch aluminum wheels, cruises for about 40 to 45 kilometers, and has a top speed of 45 kph, as well as two speeds: power for faster ride and standard for normal riding.

The E-Ton executive said that the e-MO has a 48V DC brushless motor rated at 750W; while the portable lithium-ion battery pack weighs only 5.6kgs and can be 80% recharged from an 110V or 220V wall socket in 90 minutes to two hours, or fully recharged in 2.5 hours, with the LED instrument panel showing the battery level.

The e-MO, according to the maker, is targeted at female students, office workers, seniors and eco-conscious riders, as well as being available in white, red, black, and green.

The e-MO Plus is the upgraded version of the e-MO and comes with upscale items as disc brakes, dual shock-absorber rear-suspension, tubeless front and rear tires etc.

Partnering with the major industrial conglomerate Matra of France, E-Ton developed the e-MO XP, a model more suited for cargo delivery with lower clearance (achieved by smaller but wider tires), front and rear cargo carriers, and a more powerful 12-inch hub-motor etc. It has a 48V 15Ah LiMn2O4 battery pack that can be recharged to 80% in two hours and 100% in three hours, with a 45km range at 45 kph.

XO2
XOR Motors, the French e-scooter maker targeting mainly markets in eastern and western Europe, showcased its XO2 Urban Transformer, a very innovative folding e-scooter that can be recharged in just two hours, which is very efficient for a 100 mile range. Three models are available: the XO2-50 for normal urban commute, the X02-50 SP for sport riding on the track, and the top-end XO2-125.

The XO2 series feature several advantages, including lightweight, blistering acceleration, large flat deck, low center of gravity, lowered saddle, small turning radius, and exceptional user-friendliness, making the scooter ideal for urban commuting.

Maximizing practicality for urban mobility and convenience, XOR Motors designs the XO2 series with a critical advantage: collapsibility. The XO2 scooter can be folded into a quarter cubic meter cart if necessary in seconds. Such feature enhances ease of storage for road trips, parking convenience, theft-proofing etc.

MINI Scooter E Concept
The German luxury carmaker BMW showcased the MINI Scooter E Concept that links the scooter's alternative drive concept and its unmistakable design, intelligent functionality and detailed personalization options.

The MINI Scooter E Concept has a rear-wheel-integrated electric motor, with a lithium-ion battery that is recharged at conventional power sockets via an on-board cable. This scooter satisfies riders who equate premium quality, advanced technology and sustainability with individual style and emotion-stirring driving. The MINI Scooter E Concept also attracts in particular a young segment to the MINI brand.

The design of the MINI Scooter E Concept also incorporates current changes in urban mobility requirements, but maintains over 50 years of heritage in the MINI brand following the principle of promoting individual mobility with optimal use of space with minimized footprint. As such, MINI's first two-wheel vehicle offers seating for two within remarkably compact dimensions.

Another vehicle shown was the BMW C1-E prototype, featuring exemplary rider protection with the safety cell, integrated with a roll-bar that spans the rider seat in combination with the energy-absorbing front bumper and coupled with the seatbelt for the rider.

With distinctive exterior, the C1-E has streamlined body and a low visual center of gravity. The fairing with its windscreen, aft-rider luggage space and the side stand for effortless parking ensure daily riding convenience combined with high degree of wind and weather protection.

The C1-E is designed for urban use and adopts components from the company Vectrix, with a lithium-ion battery-driven motor that is sufficiently powerful for most urban commuters. An efficient, low-emissions internal combustion engine is available as option.

e-Vivacity
Peugeot Scooters of France unveiled the e-Vivacity, the new-generation pure-electric scooter, claiming that it invented urban mobility 110 years ago.

The maker claims that the e-Vivacity lives up to its name in every respect. The scooter has instant, linear torque for exceptional efficiency, featuring maximum 3KW at 6,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 14 Nm, so is very quick off the mark to ease merging into traffic.

Upon deceleration, the motor becomes a generator to turn excess kinetic energy into electric energy, with braking also recharging the battery. With new-generation lithium-ion batteries and a powertrain offering greater efficiency, e-Vivacity covers 60 kms at 45 kph.

According to Peugeot Scooters, the first e-Vivacity scooters have been delivered to a number of professional customers in December 2010, while the market launch is scheduled for March 2011, with targeted annual production being 15,000 vehicles by 2015 or around 10% of its European sales.

TTXGP
An entertaining exhibit was in Hall 5.2, where visitors saw the TTXGP, a green grand prix for electric superbikes.

Launched in June 2009 as the world's fully sanctioned, zero-carbon race, TTXGP is exclusive for vehicles emitting zero carbon, with all entrants being powered solely by stored electricity. TTXGP has put together a technical panel of experts with the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) to verify safety equipment and adjudicate the entry process and criteria.

TTXGP held 13 races in Italy, England, and North America, with the TTXGP 2010 Final being held in late October in Spain.