A TOTALLY NEW EXPERIENCE:
THE URAL ALL-ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE
NB. Motorcycle shown is a right-hand configuration. Models for Australian market are built with sidecars located on the left side of the motorcycle.
FIRST PHASE
Ural Motorcycles finalised the first development phase of an all-electric sidecar motorcycle. The electric prototype was built on the existing one-wheel drive cT chassis, utilising Zero Motorcycles’ proprietary powertrain package (motor, batteries, controller and other components). California-based company ICG developed the overall design and was responsible for fabricating the initial prototype. Zero Motorcycles also provided the necessary engineering support during development and testing of the prototype that made this project possible.
At a glance it’s still a Ural, but the electric bike offers a totally new experience
We always knew our sidecar is the perfect platform to build an electric motorcycle because it can offer what regular two-wheeled motorcycles don’t: passenger comfort, stability and safety, not to mention more space for batteries. Electric Ural is very easy to control, thanks to a low centre of gravity and optimal weight distribution. It’s very stable thanks to its three wheels. It doesn’t have clutch or gear shifter, twisting the throttle is basically all you need to operate the bike. And it accelerates very quickly – for a Ural … Overall it’s a fun and very versatile vehicle that you can use almost like a car.
The bike was tested intensively in real world conditions – in the rain and snow, on cold and hot days, on the highway and city streets
SILENT & STEALTHY
“You’ll feel like you’re in stealth-mode, sneaking up on cars that are idling louder at stoplights. And there’s no chugging engine to holler over when talking to your passenger. It’s like a whirring magic-carpet ride compared to the vibrations and tractor-like grunt of Ural’s legendary fuel-burning models.” –Good Spark Garage
PROOF OF CONCEPT
Proof of concept was the main goal for this project. We went through several iterations, searching for the best configuration of the electric powertrain package. One of the main challenges was to find the optimal location for the batteries while maintaining passenger comfort, storage capacity and stability distinctive to Ural sidecars.
We accumulated a lot of data to be used in the next phase of the project
WHAT’S NEXT
The company has no immediate plans to manufacture an all-electric model at this time. The decision will ultimately be based on market research, consumer and industry experts’ feedback. We estimate it would take approximately 24 months to ramp up serial production upon final design approval. Production bike design would incorporate the latest battery technology and charging options.
IN THE NEWS
TECH SPECS
POWER TRAIN
Motor: Z-Force® 75-7 passively air-cooled, high efficiency, radial flux, interior permanent magnet, brushless motor
Max Output (hp): 60hp (45kW) @5,300rpm
Max Torque (ft-lbs): 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm)
Batteries as tested: ZF13.0 powerpack, ZF6.5 powerpack (combined peak power 19.5kWh)
Charging System: 1.3kW on-board charger from a standard 115V/15A breaker (estimated 13 hours to charge from empty to 95%)
PERFORMANCE/ECONOMY
Range as Tested: Up to 165 km
Recommended Max Cruising Speed: 105 kmh
Maximum Speed as Tested: 140 kmh
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Overall Length: 233 cm
Overall Height: 137 cm
Overall Width: 162 cm
Seat Height: 79 cm
Ground Clearance: 23.4 cm
Max Permissible Weight: 600 kg
Dry Weight: 373 kg
