The Lightning electric motorcycle set a land speed record of 173 MPH at the Bonneville Salt Flats on September 2, 2010. The screaming fast two-wheeled EV is powered by a motor salvaged from a General Motors EV1 electric car.
The winning bike is a prototype of Lightning Motorcycles, which is headed up by Richard Hatfield in Silicon Valley, California. A street-legal version of the Lightning electric motorcycle is in the works.
Implications - If you are someone who has a need for speed, then this electric motorcycle is sure to be intriguing. It's not often that an electric motor sets a world record, as most people think gas power is the way to go. For all those doubters, this electric motorcycle land record demonstrates just how fast these things really are!
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Electric Performance Vehicles
- The record set by Lightning's electric motorcycle highlights a rise in demand for high-performing electric vehicles beyond just cars.
- EV Motor Salvage
- The reuse of EV1 electric car parts in Lightning's electric motorcycle highlights a trend in salvaging parts from decommissioned electric vehicles for high-performance purposes.
- Street-legal Electric Motorcycles
- The announcement of a street-legal version of the Lightning electric motorcycle showcases a trend towards mainstreaming of electric motorcycles as a viable alternative in the rapidly-changing transportation industry.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Electric Vehicle Manufacturing
- Manufacturers of electric vehicles can explore the use of salvaged EV1 parts for high-performance vehicle production.
- Motorcycle Manufacturing
- Motorcycle manufacturers can capitalize on the electric motorcycle trend by expanding their offerings to include high-performance electric motorcycles.
- Transportation & Logistics
- The mainstreaming of high-performance electric motorcycles presents opportunities for providers of transportation and logistics solutions to explore more eco-friendly options for courier and delivery services.
