White Bike Ideas (WMC) and Zero Bikes have collaborated to prototype the world’s first electrical sports activities bike with WMC’s patented aerodynamic duct, lowering drag by 10%.
The businesses first linked on the 2023 EICMA bike present, the place they shared a imaginative and prescient targeted on advancing electrical automobile effectivity and efficiency. The design of Zero’s SR/S mannequin made it a really perfect candidate to combine WMC’s aerodynamic know-how.
The ensuing WMCSRS idea encompasses a bespoke bifurcated duct that channels air from behind the entrance wheel and exits above the rear wheel. To boost airflow by means of the duct, WMC additionally designed a brand new aerodynamic entrance fender and fork shroud.
“The entire trade is at present going through an enormous technical and industrial problem to provide an electrical bike with efficiency near its petrol equal,” mentioned Robert White, Founder and CEO of White Bike Ideas. “This drawback requires a mix of improvements to bridge the hole, not simply counting on battery know-how alone.”
In keeping with White, when he first noticed the Zero SR/S structure, he acknowledged the chance to retrofit WMC’s patented duct know-how. The ensuing proof-of-concept demonstrates the potential advantages of integrating aerodynamic enhancements into electrical bikes.
“Aerodynamics is a sizzling matter, particularly in MotoGP, the place winglets and different gadgets enhance lap occasions, although this effectivity profit doesn’t at all times translate to retail bikes,” White defined. “Our clever aero duct enhances aerodynamic effectivity, positively impacting energy consumption, particularly at excessive speeds.”
The WMCSRS encompasses a vertically bifurcated duct that picks up air behind the entrance wheel and navigates the present Zero SR/S construction, exiting slightly below the seat. Utilizing F1-style aero rakes, the engineering crew analyzed the airflow to optimize the duct’s efficiency.
“From our preliminary assembly at EICMA, now we have been to know the potential affect of WMC’s aerodynamic duct,” mentioned Abe Askenazi, Zero Bikes CTO. “We’re dedicated to innovation, and whereas battery growth is advancing quickly, we consider a mixture of applied sciences is the important thing to creating the electrical bikes of the longer term.”
The ten% enhance in aerodynamic effectivity from the duct can be utilized to both lengthen the bike’s vary or cut back battery measurement and weight, slicing down on prices and cost occasions.
“This proof of idea has given us precious insights into the potential advantages of integrating an aerodynamic duct into electrical bikes,” Askenazi mentioned. “We’ll proceed to discover complementary technological developments to ship market-leading merchandise for our prospects.”
The collaboration between WMC and Zero demonstrates the potential for modern partnerships to deal with the challenges going through the electrical bike trade.
