Earthstar Forums

I have noticed that the Zero motorcycle rangehas doubled in the last 3 years.The 2018 model has higherenergy density,swappable Z batteries and other refinements.  Their motor output increased in power.However, with these newerbatteries and using a less powerful 40kw motor , I wonder what theconservative flight time would be ? Mark, are we there yet ?     Carl

Weight is still the main obstacle. Add-on batteries and fast-charger
options both add weight.

When it was time to decide on which battery option to use in 2013, I went
with two small 2.8 kWh batteries, not wanting to get too far outside of the
Ultralight weight limit. The plan was to upgrade to something much better
in a few years. I now have the opportunity to switch to a 2017 13kWh
battery. That should increase my duration from approx 35 minutes to almost
1.5 hours (without reserves). Richard Steeves reports 1 hour duration with
his 11.4 kWh battery, with some reserve.

At the same time, I will also switch from the 40 to the 50kW motor. The
40kW motor was plenty strong enough, but we are trying to keep everything
from the same year for compatibility reasons. I'm hoping for a bit of
efficiency gain (which is probably cancelled out by the slight weight
increase).

Hi Carl
The
Question is not are we there! It's what is enough. To that, yes we have been there since 2012 and it's getting better all the time.
With the 11.4 kWh we get 1 hr or 63 miles. With the 14.4 we get 1:20.
With the same weight.
Or about 100 mi.
It only costs $1 per hr for electricity and maintianence is almost nothing.
It's quiet and present and smooth.
It's clean in all the ways you can describe clean.
So, yes, were here!
Happy Flying
Mark

Sent from my iPhone

yes, we are all heer; don't we have to go there? 700mile+ electric hybrid range

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aero ... SKBN1CA16A

anyhow, Mr. Steeves eGull and Mr. Greenwood's silvergull.. shure would be nice to see them

rahul