Electric motorcycle to depart on world tour

Netherlands-based Storm Eindhoven are preparing to depart on an 80-day world tour with their zero-emission electric motorcycle, the STORM Wave.

Storm Eindhoven consists of a team of twenty three students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, famed for developing the world’s first electric touring motorcycle.

The STORM World Tour will begin on 14th August 2016 and is set to cover around 26 thousand kilometres through Europe, Asia and North America, before finishing back in Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

The trip will be undertaken by two of the researchers behind the project, who hope to complete the tour in just 80 days. 

The second generation STORM Wave motorcycles feature an innovative modular battery design which enables them to be charged from any electricity source and utilising only the existing electricity grid.

This flexibility will allow the machines to be recharged everywhere they go, despite varying electrical standards across different countries.

Recharging will take place at various companies, households and educational institutes that choose to take part – a network known as the STORM GRID. By involving individuals and organisations in the project, Storm Eindhoven aim to share the experience of electric mobility with the world.

The STORM Wave has been specifically designed for long distance touring, utilising a swappable, 28.5 kWh battery pack which gives the motorcycle a range of 380 kilometres without charging. When empty, the energy can be renewed within seven minutes by swapping the battery.

Yuri Steinbuch, strategy manager for the group, explains their motivations behind the project: “Compared to other mobility industries, the motorcycle industry has always been very conservative, favouring tradition over innovation. With STORM Wave, we want to show what’s possible with e-mobility and help it gain widespread acceptance.”

He added: “Overcoming these barriers is essential if we are to create greener, more sustainable means of transport. STORM embodies realities of today. Electric vehicles can drive long distances, can be cool and can be available to anyone.”