Prometheus Demonstrates Solar-Powered Electric Motorcycle
This past weekend, Prometheus Solar founder Jim Corning demonstrated his proof-of-concept electric motorcycle at the Santa Monica AltCar Expo. The motorcycle is a reconstructed Ninja 250 that uses four solar panels which provide 800 watts of power.
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The panels aren’t actually attached to the bike. Instead, they are left out in the sun and connected to the bike’s 4.6 kW Thundersky lithium-ion phosphate batteries for power storage. The front wheel cover and extended back keep the motorcycle upright and aerodynamic.
And the bike isn’t exactly slow— Corning’s motorcycle can go up to 70 MPH and has a range of 50 miles.
Corning currently has no plans to sell the bike, but perhaps interest in the prototype will persuade him to look into mass production.
Hopefully this prototype really picks up and is produced mainstream. I would consider buying this bike if I lived in the city or close to work. It looks pretty sweet too
I think that should 70mph OR a range of 50 miles.
I’d settle for taking off all the ugly-dynamic plastic and ride around on an electric ninja. Put the solar panels on your house where they can do the most work to roll the meter back
now why would anyone want that ugly,ugly thing. motorcycles are already the most fuel efficient means of transportation on the road today.
Don - beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Actually, I think that’s the most beautiful motorcycle I’ve ever seen. The fact that it didn’t make the horrible racket that motorcycles make, or the awful smell from the exhaust would seal the deal for me. Yeah, that’s right; I actually hate all of the things that motorcycle lovers love. Go figure.
Well i think the idea is great but with a regular ninja, you could easily go past 70mph and go at least 350 miles without putting a scratch on the environment. the engines are so small that a cow farting would hurt the ozone more than a Kawasaki running.
P.S. what is with that ridiculous thing on the back? an excuse not to carry a girl?! ha ha but seriously what is it?
@Dg: I think it is storage for the foldable solar panels.
@David: do you ride motorcycles? I do and I would not consider buying that thing up there. The ZeroX, now that is a true motocycle.
Wow that’s amazing.
This bike is a better option that the hydrogen hybrid motocycles on the market.
Motorcycles are by definition efficient machines.
So even though motorcycles and scooters may represent a smaller percentage of the pie when it comes to emissions inventory, it doesn’t mean their makers shouldn’t have proper incentive to be using new, greener technologies
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