History of electric motorcycles and scooters

* Late 1860s: Earliest references to electric motorcycles can be found in patents.
* 1911: Electric motorcycle available according to early Popular Mechanics article. [ [http://electricmotorcycles.net/modules/wordpress/?p=48 ElectricMotorcycles.net-EM Headline News » EM History: 1911 Popular Mechanics ] ]
* 1920s: Ransomes, current makers of forklifts, explored the use of an electric powered motorcycle. This and other developments helped pave the way for the company to use electric mining cars and lorreys. [ [http://www.forkliftparts.co.uk/history.htm Forklift Parts for Mitsubishi,Caterpillar,Hamech,Kelvin & Crown ] ]
* Early 1940s: Fuel rationing in United States caused Earle Williams to convert a motorcycle to electric power. This became the basis for the formation of the ParCar from the Marketeer Company. [http://www.parcar.com/legend/history.htm]
* 1941: Fuel rationing in Occupied Europe encouraged an Austrian company by the name of Socovel to create a small electric motorcycle. Approximately 400 were manufactured. [ [http://www.econogics.com/ev/evhists.htm evhists ] ]
* 1967: First Fuel Cell powered electric motorcycle created by Karl Kordesch at Union Carbide debuts. Demonstrated the feasibility of fuel cells as a power source. This particular fuel cell was an alkili fuel cell that operated with hydrazine, a rocket fuel propellant. [ [http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/alk/alk2.htm Fuel Cell Project: Alkali Fuel Cells photo #2 ] ]
* 1967: "Papoose" moped sized electric motorcycle prototype is created by Indian Motorcycle Company under the direction of Floyd Clymer. [ [http://www.cycletownusa.com/post1953.html post 1953 Indian motorcycle history ] ]
* Early 1970s: Aurenthetic Charger moped sized mini bike (small motorcycle) sold. [ [http://www.econogics.com/ev/evhista.htm Some EV History / History of Electric Cars and other Vehicles ] ]
* 1973: Mike Corbin sets first electric motorcycle land speed record of 101 mph.
* 1974: Corbin-Gentry Inc. begins sale of street legal electric motorcycles.
* Professor Charles E. MacArthur makes first electric vehicle ascent on Mt. Washington, NH using a Corbin Electric motorcycle. The event evolved into an annual rally called the "Mt Washington Alternative Vehicle Regatta".
* 1978: Electric Harley Davidson MK2 created by Transitron manufactured in Honolulu, Hawaii. [ [http://electricmotorcycles.net/modules/wordpress/?p=181 ElectricMotorcycles.net-EM Headline News » EM History: 1978 Electric Harley and Wheels Through Time Museum ] ]
* 1988: Eyeball Engineering creates KawaSHOCKi electric dragbike and is featured in a major magazine. [ [http://www.nedra.com/hotbike.html National Electric Drag Racing Association - Roger Hedlund 100 mph Club ] ]
* Late 1990s: EMB Lectra VR24 electricmotorbike created by Scott Cronk and EMB. Pioneered the use of variable reluctance motors (hence the VR) and marketed as street legal. [ [http://www.electricmotorbike.org/ Electric Motorbike Inc. manufacturer of the Lectra electric motorcycle ] ]
* 2000: Killacycle makes record run of 152 mph (245 km/h) at 9.4 s quarter mile (400-metre) time at Woodburn Drags 2000, OR. [ [http://www.nedra.com/150mph_club.html#killacycle National Electric Drag Racing Association - Roger Hedlund 150 mph Club ] ]
* 2007: A123 Li-Ion cell-powered Killacycle makes new quarter mile (400-metre) record of 7.824 seconds and 168 mph (270 km/h) in Phoenix, AZ at AHDRA 2007. [ [http://www.killacycle.com/2007/11/11/7824-168-mph-at-pomona-ahdra-nov-10th/ KillaCycle - World’s Quickest Electric Motorcycle » Blog Archive » 7.824 @168 MPH !!!!!! at Pomona AHDRA Nov 10th ] ]

References