Charging Forward: Electric Motorcycles and the Open Road to Tomorrow
BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster
Look, in a world where toasters have become smarter than the average fifth-grader, it's not exactly shocking that our trusty old motorbikes are also getting a high-voltage revamp. Gone are the days of smoky exhausts, roaring engines, and oil spills in the garage. Enter the era of the silent, clean, electric steed.
Now, if you're imagining a dystopian future where motorcycles whiz around without the throaty roar of an engine, don't fret. Our beloved BMW has been cranking its brain gears, trying to merge the best of both worlds. So, grab a helmet, and let's dive into it!
Dr. Markus Schramm
Dr. Markus Schramm, the man behind the magic at BMW Motorcycles, recently opened up about the brand's ambitious plans. No, they're not creating a hoverbike, though that would be incredibly cool. But they are firmly strapping themselves onto the electric bandwagon. According to Schramm, "The BMW Group position – especially on motorcycles – is that we want technology-open solutions." In plain English? They're embracing the electric dream, but they aren't completely saying goodbye to the old-fashioned gas guzzlers.
For those of us city-dwellers, BMW's already crafting something for the urban asphalt. The big reveal? An electric roadster design. Think of it as the stylish, environment-friendly cousin of your current ride.
BMW Motorrad CE 02
But wait – the electric hoopla doesn't mean the death knell for the combustion engine. E-fuels, as our man Schramm explains, are also in the game. "E-fuels are a very important part of this," he notes. Translation: In the next couple of decades, while many of us might be zipping around on our electric motorcycles, you'll still find some old-timers lovingly tending to their vintage combustion bikes.
But here's the real twist in the tale. If motorbikes are to go electric, what happens to their iconic designs? I mean, most of the "cool" bikes have their aura defined by their engines. Designer Edgar Heinrich drops a bombshell, pointing out that most bikes are designed around their engines. Remove that, and you're left with, well, just a big black box.
Edgar Heinrich
Yet, in this looming void, Heinrich sees potential. A chance to redefine what a bike should look like. Take the Vision DC Roadster naked concept they rolled out a few years ago. It didn't try to replicate the traditional look but instead reimagined the design using side-mounted coolers. The man's got a point. Designers are now staring at a blank canvas, reminiscent of the early pioneering days of two-wheelers. A time when innovation was rife, and every design was a new adventure.
BMW Motorrad CE 04
So, while some might mourn the slow fade of the combustion engine's roar, others are gearing up for a high-voltage future. A future that's as wild and open as a cross-country road trip. Did you know that the very first electric vehicle was not a car but a small train powered by non-rechargeable primary cells? Yep, it happened way back in 1837!
