Battery build for electric superbike speed record

Three friends plan to build a high-performance battery pack for an electric superbike to attempt a New Zealand e-motorcycle speed record.

Sytse Tacoma, George Liddell and others are working on the project under company brands MotoSync and TL (Tacoma Liddell) to produce a battery using similar cell technology to that used in Tesla electric cars – namely 18650 cells.

Targets include increasing the electric motorcycle’s range from 100km to 180km, improving acceleration (0-100km/h in about 3.4 seconds instead of 3.8s), and reducing the three-hour charge time to 20 minutes (DC fast charger).

More than 1000 cells are needed for the project, at a cost of $5.50 each.

So the team has launched a Kickstarter project to find supporters.

Every backer can have their name on a cell and a picture sent to them. “The cells then go into the motorbike, making every one of our backers part of our record attempt,” the group says.

After testing, the land speed record attempt will be made in Canterbury, possibly next year.

MotoSync and TL also want to build more batteries and electric vehicles.

Their aim is to support New Zealand’s development of clean and green technology, show Kiwis how amazing EVs can be and build them here.

It all started when Tacoma rode in an EV in 2012 while studying mechanical engineering at the University of Canterbury.

Surprised by the EV’s acceleration, Tacoma established MotoSync NZ to build a high performance electric motorcycle, the Aprilla RS-E50, completing the task in Blenheim nearly three years ago.

In 2017, Tacoma Liddell was formed to take the technology further, especially on a more advanced battery pack.

Visit www.kickstarter.com for more information.