The Achilles heel of an electric motorcycle is the limited distance it can travel between recharge cycles. An equivalent volume of gasoline holds many times the potential energy of any state-of-the-art battery. A petrol-engine bike is still a better choice for long-distance travel. Fortunately, electric vehicles are becoming less of a novelty, and there are thousands of public recharging stations available across the country. Battery charge times vary from a “snappy” one hour visit at rare CHAdeMO rapid charge stations—being promoted by Japanese electric vehicle manufacturers—to eight hours or more from the commonly available 120-volt, wall-plug stations. The middle of the road 240 volt-charge statins—known as Level 2—can drop the charge time to a couple of hours with the right plug and charger. Public charging stations are easy to find with smartphone apps, such as PlugShare and EV Charger Locator. With the increasing cost of gasoline refinement and delivery, there’s little doubt that electric—or maybe fuel cell in the more distant future—power is eventually going to overtake the ICE’s lead in personal transportation. While range anxiety is a factor today, electric motorcycles are a perfectly viable option for round-trip distances under the 60 to 80 miles range. With numerous public recharge stations, a leisurely cross country motorcycle ride is still possible on an electric bike. However, Iron Butt folks need not apply for the electric horse, just yet.—Wayne Roth Test ride a new electric motorcycle safely. Buy a stylish, reliable and high-quality Just1 helmet today!
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