World Electric Motorbike Series

The 2009 Isle of Man TT Races featured electric motorbike technologies for the first time and building on the success of these, a whole series of related events and technologies have now rapidly sprung up.  These include the creation of a world electric motorbike series, and the prospect of a sub-$40,000 new electric bike design optimised for racing available for professional teams to purchase from spring 2010 onwards. 

The new TTXGP element of the TT races was established by Azhar Hussein, and he is now trying to establish a worldwide competition for electric motorbikes, with five races to be held per year.  Touring electric motorbike competition events are also in prospect in both the UK and the US next year.

World Electric Motorbike Series

In June 2009, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) stated that it would establish its own dedicated world electric motorbike series, and this represented a first in terms of international motorsport organisations and electric vehicle technologies.  Azhar Hussein will be at the forefront of the FIM World Championship Series and, in comments made to industry publication Gizmag, he described the rapid pace of the absorption of electric racing technologies into the mainstream.

“Everything is moving so very fast”, he said. “We're clearly already the number one brand globally in clean emission motorsport, but we believe our grass roots strategy of making [electric motorbike racing starter] kits available globally for under £10,000 will prove to be the real innovation.”

The kits he referred to will feature an electric motor, batteries and other technologies associated with electric motorbikes.  Their significance, according to Hussain, is that, once purchased, they will allow “anyone, anywhere in the world [to] ...put together a competitive electric motorcycle and compete in a national series, which in turn feeds and strengthens the World Series.”

He continued: “Our aim is not just to get enough bikes on the grid at an international level, but to get healthy national series going across the globe, fostering innovation.”

Electric Motorbike Technologies

The expansion of electric motorbike racing will also trigger new developments in general electric motorbike technologies as a whole, with the aim of achieving faster and faster speeds.  “The level of innovation and progress is far higher with electric bikes than with normal bikes”, Hussain commented.

As far as the Isle of Man TT Races are concerned, meanwhile, the electric motorbike side of things is likely to stay where it is.  In other words, it won’t figure within larger, global series. 

No specific information has been issued concerning the sub-$40,000 electric racing bike design, but a prominent US firm is understood to be involved in its development.  What’s also known is that it will be specifically for racing purposes, and not available to the general public.  An early 2010 launch is understood to be in prospect:  more news on this when we have it.