Public Funding for White Motorcycle Concepts Ltd

Expanding upon work completed through previous APC, NVN & Innovate UK projects this Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator will create a fully operational, full scale first responder electric motorcycle. Proving that a rapid charge electric powertrain can be commercially incorporated into an aerodynamically enhanced motorcycle to meet the needs of first responder applications. Operational in the UK Police, the current White Motorcycle Concept's WMC300FR, uses a power assist electric hybrid, combined with the WMC patented duct to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50%. This project builds upon this work and a recent comprehensive Niche Vehicle Network feasibility study, completed in collaboration with MAHLE Powertrain, that demonstrated it was technically and commercially viable to progress this from hybrid into a full electric vehicle (WMC300E+). Following the completion of the demonstrator the pure electric model will progress through Production Readiness prior to reaching the market by late 2025\.

This project will deliver a proof of concept aerodynamic device, incorporated into a city motorcycle that under real world conditions, will deliver significant advantages over current production models, enabling electrification. The working demonstrator will show that the design addresses current aerodynamic inefficiency, vastly improving range and enhancing the potential for heat exchanger cooling. In addition, the new design will incorporate some parts manufactured from recycled plastic, will deliver improved safety performance through enhanced stability at steady state motion and even more importantly in the braking phase and reduce inner city particulate emissions generated from exhaust and brakes.

This project aims to develop a prototype aerodynamic electric motorcycle incorporating a front wheel kinetic energy recovery and deployment system. Whilst common in hybrid and electric four wheel vehicles, a comparable system to date hasn't been incorporated into mainstream motorcycles. The main reason for this is the limitations presented by the prevalent motorcycle design. Building upon our patent pending concept, supported by Niche Vehicle Network and Advanced Propulsion Centre, the integration of this range extender is only possible due to the front end stability benefits gained from the concept.