KTM Introduces Electric Off-road Bike
The Zero Emission motorcycle prototype was developed with two goals in mind, to be environmentally friendly while staying committed to KTM’s “Ready to Race” philosophy.
“As an innovative and market-leading company, KTM must also take up the task of testing out and developing new engine formats for our sports motorcycles,” says Harald Plockinger, a board member of KTM Power Sports AG. “The concept of the zero emission motorcycle combines the well-known KTM competence with new and highly interesting motor technology.”
At a claimed weight of just under 200 pounds, KTM says the prototype has the performance of small displacement off-road bikes with combustion engines, but without the pollution or the noise.
KTM developed the Zero Emission motorcycle using virtual simulations from Austrian research company Arsenal Research.
“Alternative vehicle concepts demand new research efforts and an appropriately developed research structure. The use of the latest battery technology, the integration of a highly efficient electric motor as well as the introduction of the drive components in a highly integrated drive system forms the basis of the realization of the motorcycle concept,” says Franz Pirker, head of Arsenal Research’s energy and engine technology team. “By the direct linking of a hardware prototype in the virtual simulation environment, real drive cycles can often be arbitrarily completed without having to build components into the test vehicle.”
Though no time frame has been announced, KTM says its Zero Emission motorcycle will be heading into production once testing is complete.
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