Triumph TE-1 Another Step Closer

British motorcycling marque Triumph are another step closer to producing a road e-motorcycle with the news that Williams Advanced Engineering have completed the prototype. 

In a collaborative, UK government supported research and development venture, WAE, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG at the University of Warwick have been developing the powertrain for the new Triumph EV motorcycle. 

Centre of Gravity 

Unlike cars, weight and centre of gravity are a major factor in motorcycle development. Ideally a road machine will be light and be easy for the rider to lean into bends and manoeuvre with their body weight. 

Cars by comparison tend to keep the weight low but EVs tend to be a different league heavier thanks to the battery packs. This is where the boffins at WAE and the University of Warwick came in - developing a powertrain that meets the needs of the motorcyclist used to a far more power-dense internal combustion engine. 

WAE Powertrain 

The prototype has a lightweight powertrain that has the battery cells placed in the chassis in a certain way to optimise the centre of gravity. 

At the same time, the engineers worked on the system so it delivers optimum power at all states of charge. This will mean that the 15kWh battery (tiny by comparison to say a Tesla Model 3 LR) will deliver up to 130kW at peak and 80kW of continuous power. 

Charging is one of the problems cited by piston-heads who like to fill a tank quicker than they can pee and have a coffee. This is sorted with a 360 volt charger in the machine that will deliver up to 80% of charge in just 20 minutes. 

Dyrr Ardash, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Williams Advanced Engineering, said “Because we have designed the battery from the ground-up, design has not been compromised and we have been able to maximise the potential of cutting edge technology, offering both performance and all important, range”. 

Next Phases to the TE-1 Hitting the Road 

The internal gubbins is now sorted on the TE-1 but there is still a fair way to go before you can go and order one. Now begins a six month phase of live testing (on rolling roads and on the track) where Triumph will take the machine to the refined piece of excellence you’d expect from a British marque of this calibre. 

By summer, Triumph say they should have the final details on performance and handling such as range and battery capabilities. “Personally, I am thrilled with the results we have already achieved with our partners, and the exciting preview of the potential electric future to come,” said Nick Bloor, Triumph CEO.