Electric snowbike

[eou_edu]

Has anybody tried this? It seems like the zero motors is about the best I've seen. The number on these look pretty impressive compared to a gas bike in capabilities, weight, and purchase price. No shifting would be nice, less heat generated with less ice build up on the machine, and running virtually silent through fresh powder would all be benefits I could see. Plus they are are rated at a respectable 105 mile range on city driving with tires. Even 1/3 of that with a snowbike would be a decent riding day. The HP of the bike would be up to it, just not sure it would hold up to the heating, cooling, and quicker battery drain a snowbike would need?

I know there are moonbikes bikes, KTM, electric bicycles, and various other electric varieties. The zero motors seem to have the best chance of holding up to the demands of a snowbike though.

 

[Monno]

A Stark Varg with snowbike kit is already out there.
There´s a thread on snowest about it. Somewhere.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Snowbike new zealand tried a Stark varg last spring with very limited success

 

[byeatts]

They are great choice for the kids to ride around in a field to learn , Other than that forget it "

 

[eou_edu]

Snowbike new zealand tried a Stark varg last spring with very limited success

What happened with the stark varg that it didn't perform well? Did the battery overheat too quickly?

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

What happened with the stark varg that it didn't perform well? Did the battery overheat too quickly?

The opposite.

In the cold it would run for 15-20 minutes on the 60 hp setting.

Would glitch out on the 80 hp setting.

It didn’t like cold.

 

[eric82930]

Plus it's 50 pounds more than a 450

 

[thewwkayaker]

couldn't you add a battery heater? Motors wouldn't care about the cold (technically less resistance) but yes batteries drain faster. However modern electric cars have a battery warmer which doesn't drain a lot of power to keep it warm. At 80hp an extra 50lbs would be more than offset by the extra 20hp it gives and the torque would be instant and much higher.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

couldn't you add a battery heater? Motors wouldn't care about the cold (technically less resistance) but yes batteries drain faster. However modern electric cars have a battery warmer which doesn't drain a lot of power to keep it warm. At 80hp an extra 50lbs would be more than offset by the extra 20hp it gives and the torque would be instant and much higher.

This.

Plus actual torque and cvt without any rotating mass downsides.