Has anyone heard ANYTHING new on the EVC Volta G/T ?

I received a reply from the president because I told him I drove into Boulder looking for them. He says he should have a price list in about six weeks. Demos may happen in Calif and locally in a few months.

I received a reply from the president because I told him I drove into Boulder looking for them.

Did you find them? It has to be somewhere near McGuckin, yes?

EVC has updated their web site with specifics about the 3 models they are offering. They are accepting reservations with a $500 deposit. Models start at $7995 and come with a 3 year warranty. I like the color choices and that they list performance specs.

http://www.evc-llc.com

David

I went to their site but I couldn't find anything on range or the type of batteries used. Did I overlook it?

Range and battery type are listed in each product brochure. There is a link to them at the bottom of each product page. They are to use lithium batteries and have a range of 75 miles at "optimum speed" (~40mph).

David

Rumors has it that they are introducing a new line for 2009, and it's even better than what they initially drafted for a would-be release in 2008, and instead saved the best for 2009. Why not release the best you can, and for this reason EVC delayed its release in 2008.

Hey, the best is always worth waiting for!

Pointman39,

Do you have any affiliation with EVC USA? It's not a problem if you do - but we'd like to know. Where are you hearing these rumors of a better 2009 model?

Even if they release the already spec'd 2008 models they will be impressive (assuming the specs match the delivered bikes).

For example in the pdf brochures they claim an 8kWh battery pack and a 72V operating voltage so the batteries are around 100Ah and about 22 of them (using 3.3V as nominal voltage for LiFe) - that's pretty impressive. It's also pretty hard to accommodate that many batteries that large (but not impossible) and pretty expensive (at about $1.50 per Ah for "low cost" LiFe that's 100 * 1.5 * 22 = $3300 for batteries alone).

I'm glad that they're doing a traditional motor - but a belt would likely be a better option than a chain. I think the only way they'll reach their performance specs are via such a setup (I don't think there's a hub motor out there that would do 90+mph without having the magnets fly through the motor's case!)

I'd love to discuss your info about the voltas more with you - but please don't paste the same info in multiple threads - keep it here or in one of the other "news about the volta" threads and you'll get a warmer reception from the regular readers of these boards.

I hope we see an EVC bike in 2009 - I really do!

John H,

I too hope more EV motorcycles make it to the market. Competition will be good for the consumers but also for Vectrix, actually.

I do believe however that hub motors can easily be made for 90 mph and more, without danger for the magnets. For example, the Vectrix has a 1:6 reduction gear, which means that the motor spins at around 6000 rpm at the limited max speed 100 km/h, or less than 9000 rpm at 90 mph. Shouldn't be a problem for such a small motor, and the gearing could be changed too if needed. There are also concept cars such as the EV Mini and Volvo C30 plugin made with hub motors, with top speeds well above 200 km/h.

But I see your point, the hub motor has its limits. High performance EV cars and motorcycles will probably not have hub motors.

I do believe however that hub motors can easily be made for 90 mph and more, without danger for the magnets. For example, the Vectrix has a 1:6 reduction gear, which means that the motor spins at around 6000 rpm at the limited max speed 100 km/h, or less than 9000 rpm at 90 mph. Shouldn't be a problem for such a small motor, and the gearing could be changed too if needed. There are also concept cars such as the EV Mini and Volvo C30 plugin made with hub motors, with top speeds well above 200 km/h.

You're right - hub motors can be made with capabilities greater than the torque and speed capabilities. However, when comparing to EV cars bear in mind the relatively small packaging requirements for a motor scooter hub. But, you're probably right in that we can get more speed out of m/c sized hubs. I think I just overstated my case when looking over the very optimistic Volta specs.

BTW, the Vectrix is not a hub motor. It is a regular motor mounted in the swing arm with it's shaft directly connected to the rear hub which contains the reduction gear you mention.

I believe they went out of business due to problems with the economy, they were not able to get the right amount of financing for such a large project. I had dealt with one of their key essential representatives Mario Valentino, who was coordinating all of their sales and marketing initiatives, and it was looking like this would have been a very promising brand to have out in the market place.

Any one know of any other electric motorcycles that are emerging in the market place? It has to happen sooner or later in the 2 wheel world!