Electric news

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Team Greener

Two new models for Yadea

YADEA KEENESS SOUNDS MORE like a TikTok influencer than anything else. But it is in fact a brand new 125-class electric bike from the Chinese firm. Boasting a healthy 13.4hp peak power output and dual removable 2.3kWh rechargeable batteries, the Keeness (above) claims a range up to 80 miles, and has a practical naked design. The ‘fuel tank’ hides a 16-litre storage area, lighting is full LED and with USD forks and sharp design, it’s a goodlooking piece of kit.

Yadea also unveiled a new electric commuter scooter, the Voltguard VFV Pro, with a claimed 125 mile range and 7.3bhp peak power output. It has the same removable dual battery setup as the Keeness, with a pair of 2kWh units, under seat storage space, keyless ignition and USB charging port. More info: www.yadea.com.

Voltguard VFV Pro It’s been making ‘green’ bikes in the literal sense for a long time, but now Kawasaki has unveiled its plans to become green in the eco sense, with a path away from purely hydrocarbon-powered machinery.

At a presentation in Milan last month, Kawasaki Motors president Hiroshi Ito shared details on a range of new products, including hybrid petrol/battery powertrains, hydrogen-powered combustion engines and battery-powered 125cc-class bikes. There was a pair of production-ready A1 commuter bikes – a Z-style naked bike and a Ninja-style faired bike, both with a dual battery power setup and 3kWh capacity. They’re set to go on sale next year in Europe, with the more advanced hybrid design slated for 2024. The hybrid uses both an internal combustion engine and electric powertrain and can swap between them seamlessly as needed. This is common on cars, of course, but it remains to be seen how it can be incorporated into smaller, lighter motorbike designs.

Some of the more conceptual machines on show included an electric tricycle called “Noslisu” plus an experimental hydrogen-powered supercharged Ninja H2 engine, using direct injection and compressed gaseous hydrogen. These seem to be a way off still, but Kawasaki reckons they show how committed the firm is to internal combustion engines and research into future fuel types, as well as conventional carbonneutral tech. Expect more – and more production ready stuff – as the slated 2030/2035 ban on petrol engines comes closer.

Super Soco adds trio to its 2023 line-up

Stash

It’s the most popular electric bike brand in the UK, and now Super Soco has unveiled another three new models for next season. Released at the EICMA Milan show, the Stash, ON-R/OFF-R and the F01 cover a wide range of needs, from simple urban mobility to dirt riding and ‘proper’ motorcycling.

The Stash is a production version of the prototype shown last year, and the name refers to the storage space in the ‘petrol tank’ which can hold a full-face helmet. It’s a lively piece of kit, with 15kW (20hp) peak power output, and top speed of 75mph when using the boost function for overtaking. It charges in around 3.5 hours from a domestic 13A socket.

The ON-R/OFF-R is the same bike in two forms: with road or dirt tyres respectively, to suit the customer’s needs. Super-light at just 84kg, it can be homologated as a 30mph moped (L1) or 125cc (L3) license category with a 53mph top speed.

Finally, the F01 is a commuter spec scooter formerly only available to fleet customers. It’s also doubly homologated as a moped or 125 class machine.

F01

ON-R/OFF-R www.supersoco.co.uk