BIKES4US

Based in Sydney, Australia, Dan Anderson is studying industrial design and as his final year thesis project, he’s designed the electric bike – Voltra – that you see here. ‘The Voltra is an electric which conveys the visual sense of excitement and exhilaration not currently addressed in the alternative-fuel motorcycle market, but which is so important to the appeal of motorcycles to riders,’ says Dan. ‘The bike is the result of extensive research into motorcycling history, society and culture as well as technology, materials and manufacturing. The Voltra's main aim is to give greener, alternative-fuel technology the sex-appeal needed for success in its fashion-conscious market,’ he adds.

Powered by Li-Ion batteries, which feed its AC induction motor (with a programmable controller), the Voltra packs 129Nm of torque and projected top speed is more than 200km/h. With its carbonfibre monocoque chassis, the Voltra weighs 200 kilos and while riding time and travel range are dependent on the riding style, Dan reckons the bike can be ridden for more than 90 minutes in one go. A full recharge takes two hours.

We guess battery-powered electric sportsbikes (as opposed to low-powered electric commuter bikes and/or scooters) are still a few years away from going mainstream, but machines like the Voltra probably provide a glimpse of what the future might be like.