French motorbike manufacturer NAWA Technologies has unveiled the first rideable prototype of its electric motorbike.
First unveiled at CES 2020, the NAWA Racer uses the company’s nano-based ultracapacitor tech called NAWACap. The bike combines the NAWACap tech with conventional lithium-ion cells to create a “hybrid” battery system.
Located in the NAWA Racer’s top tank area is an arrangement of NAWACap ultracapacitors, which offer 0.1 kWh and boost a lithium-ion battery mounted further down in the chassis – where the engine would be on a traditional motorbike.
By reusing more than 80% of the energy captured from regenerative braking, the NAWA Racer uses a 9 kWh battery – far smaller than a traditional lithium-ion battery.
The bike tips the scales at just 150 kg – a 25% weight saving over a conventional electric sports bike. As a result of the low weight and smart battery recharging, the NAWA Racer can cover as much as 300 km on a single charge with mainly urban riding.
The in-wheel electric motor can produce 100 PS and will push the bike to 62 mph in “less than three seconds” and to a top speed of 150 kph. The design, according to NAWA, is reminiscent of old-school café racers.
“NAWA Racer is our vision for the electric motorbike of tomorrow – a retro café racer-inspired machine, but one that is thoroughly modern. It is lightweight, fast and fun, perfect for an emission-free city commute that will put a smile on your face. But it also lays down a blueprint for the future,” says Pascal Boulanger, founder and CTO.
“NAWA’s next-gen ultracapacitors unleash the potential of the hybrid battery system with five times more power and energy than existing ultracapacitors. What is more, this design of powertrain is fully scale-able: there is no reason why this cannot be applied to a larger motorbike, or car or other electric vehicles. We believe it shows off the e-powertrain of the very near future. Since NAWA Racer’s initial unveil at CES in 2020, development has continued at pace. Thanks to our technical partners, we can now reveal our first dynamic prototype.”
Keyword: NAWA Racer Rideable Prototype Unveiled