Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow*... is this the end?

Nissan looking towards ending development of the internal combustion engine

John Newman

• electricmotorcycle
• motorcycles
• Nissan
• JohnNewman
• 2022

What has this to do with motorcycles?
What has this to do with motorcycles? Perhaps nothing directly. But as soon as one major vehicle manufacturer makes a radical announcement such as this, others, including motorcycle manufacturers, are sure to follow; and more than likely already have similar plans and timetables.
In 2021, despite a downturn in much commercial activity because of Covid, there was a raft of EV initiatives emanating from the influential players in the motorcycle market. The big four Japanese companies; Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, plus Triumph and BMW had them. There was nothing from Harley Davidson, but they are in the established battery powered bike mix with the Livewire model which was given more impetus as it featured in The Long Way Up film alongside Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman.
A big step forward
A big step forward for EVs occurred in March '21 with an announcement by the 'big four' (see above); that they had concluded an agreement - the Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles - whereby their electric powered bikes would carry standard batteries so that riders would be able to exchange a depleted battery for a fully charged one, on all  models they sold. Said to take less time than a fossil fuel fill up, and negating both range anxiety and turning up at a charging point to find a car plugged in for a long charge. Which might mean that what you saved with cheaper electricity, is then squandered on dodgy machine coffees and garage snacks while waiting.
For bike riders of the future, there will be a potential advantage, as car manufacturers seem to be some way from the holy grail of battery standardisation. Despite calls for more cooperation from motoring organisations and politicians. Reliance on fast charging units, and continued advances in battery development is the way car manufacturers seem to want to go.
An ambitious target for sure
In April '21 to much fanfare, Honda announced a line up of four EV bike models to be on sale by 2024. Alongside plans for the company to be building completely electric vehicles by 2040.  No mention, at the global press conference of fossil fuelled engines. So it may be safe to assume that the Big H will, like Nissan, not be instigating any further development.
Announcements by Suzuki and Yamaha as to their 'electric dreams' indicate a little more reticence in planning their future EV models. While Kawasaki have said they will have ten EV models in production by 2025. An ambitious target for sure.  
The market for electric scooters and other small capacity bikes is becoming well established. But most Wemoto readers and others will have more interest in the development and potential of 'proper' motorcycles. At the moment Zero have the models to emulate, having been founded in 2006, they have secured a good reputation for range and reliability. This can be seen in the web stories of travellers who have undertaken long distance rides without major recharging problems.
Enter Triumph
Enter Triumph. This month (February) they have introduced us to their prototype TE-1. This is their first zero emmissions motorcycle, which has been under development since 2019, in conjunction with a number of specialist partners; Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain and Warwick University. It looks the part, with the design being based on the established Street and Speed Triple models - 'proper' motorcycles. This prototype is belt driven, and is said to be ready for rolling road and track testing. But no news as to production dates, nor price at this stage. The UK may have left the EU, but in terms of legal requirements for polluting ICEs, we are still governed by emmissions regulations as are all global automotive manufacturers if they want to sell into this market. Euro 7 is set to be the final standard, due to be introduced by 2025. By which time most manufacturers will be making and marketing EVs, or hybrids, as ICEs will become unviable; hence the Nissan decision. And many other countries follow the EU emmissions legislation as they also try and combat the particulates that lead to deteriorating air quality.
Many riders reading this, myself included, will have ended their motorcycle riding days when the generational shift that moves the world onto and into electric powered vehicles becomes the norm.
Rumbles, rattles, vibrations and reverberations
If you are younger and you want to remain attuned to the rumbles, rattles, vibrations and reverberations of internal combustion engines, best to stash away or hang on to one that you already have, or find a make and model you want to acquire pronto. Surely there will be a lively 'classic' bike and car scene in the electric future. The ICE bikes that people collect and covet will be wheeled out for seasons of shows, rides, and gatherings, just as happens now with classic clubs and organisations throughout the country.  
As electric bikes become accepted and more numerous, will some entrepreneurial IT type develop an app that allows you to select a bike sound of the past that you can play through helmet speakers as you travel the higways in relative silence? A Manx Norton, a lusty V twin Ducati, a high revving in line four with an Akrapovic?  The choice will be yours, and you read the idea here first!
*The popular colloquial for the cycle stages of a four stroke engine.