Aptera’s CTO Is Now Making an Electric Off-Road Motorcycle. Armstrong Electric Vehicles plans for the rollout of their EB1 electric motorcycle.
Founded by EV industry veteran Nathan Armstrong in 2021, Armstrong Electric Vehicles’ headquartered are based in Rocky View County, Alberta, Canada, and it plans to roll out their first product, which is practically ready to launch, the EB1 electric motorcycle.
Nathan Armstrong has over 25 years of track record as an engineer, CAD modeler and fabricator. Since he moved to Canada in 2006, he has played a key role in various electric vehicle projects for 4-wheelers and 3-wheelers. With over 100 concept and production vehicle programs in his track record, Nathan is also currently CTO of Aptera Motors.
Currently developing their first off-road-only electric motorbike, to be names the Armstrong EB1, the company plans to deliver a highly customizable. Focusing on an adaptable design, that’s easy to maintain and repair, this off-road motorcycle will also comes with an unlimited warranty for both frame and motor.
“We’re having professional riders ride the bike, tune it to their liking and save their profile,”
“Then when you buy the bike, you can download different profiles.”
Nathan Armstrong, Founder, Armstrong electric vehicles
Basic specifications include a handmade trellis frame made of 4130 Cro-Mo Steel, a 6061 aluminum swingarm, hemp or carbon fiber panels, and a weight of 146 lbs (66 kg), putting this bike at the light weight bracket for the power it produces.
Its brushless DC motor delivers a top speed of approximately 68 mph (110 km/h) and accelerates it to 60 mph (96 km/h) in about 3.5 seconds. Approximately 30hp at the rear wheel, and you have a combination of power and low weight.
The EB1 is powered by a 2.5-KWh/72-V lithium-ion battery pack that should give it a driving range of approximately 56 miles (90 km) per 1.5-hour charge. The battery pack is removable for easy recharging, or for swapping with a charged battery pack.
In addition, the battery pack is compatible to a Sur-Ron/Segway battery. But the company plans to launch their in-house hi-power battery, a 2.6 kWh pack of their own. Using Tesla 2170 cells hardwired into 3D printed carriers and thermally connected to the aluminum housing.
Another quite unique feature on this bike, is the lack of a rear breaking system. The EB1 uses instead only re-gen brakes on the rear, through an electronic brake lever replacement. This allows the rider to pull the brake lever that simulates a hydraulic brake, but in fact increases the regenerative braking of the motor, re-charging the battery pack.
An estimated autonomy range is claimed at 55 miles (90km). The EB1 offers six drive modes that riders can choose from through the integrated touchscreen display. From Walk mode, to walk the bike around at a top speed of 3 mph (5 km/h); Snow mode, with super-high torque and lower speed; Eco mode, for best efficiency; Race mode, for maximum power; and a Custom mode in which riders can adjust to their own settings.
“I’ve always been building electric cars, so for me it was just natural,”
“If you’re going to build a motorbike … it’s faster than a 250[cc], it’s almost as fast as a 450, but it weighs less than a 110.”
Nathan Armstrong, Founder, Armstrong electric vehicles
The company is currently manufacturing an initial batch of five bikes and plans to enter full production later this year. Once we reach that stage of production, the EB1 is planned to roll out at a price of CAD15,000 (roughly US$11,800).
Source: Armstrong electric vehicles, NewAtlas