posted on April 02, 2010 12:30
Imperial College & Maria Costello team-up for TT Zero Electric Bike Race
Imperial College London is pleased to announce their 2010 electric motorbike and rider. The ‘Electric Hayabusa’, which was designed and built by a team of 16 undergraduate students led by final-year student Ben Smith, will be ridden by Maria Costello MBE in the 2010 TT Zero.
Ben Smith said: "We're really excited about this year's race and letting our bike loose on the TT circuit. Our team are confident in the Hayabusa based design and look forward to putting it through its paces on the Isle of Man. Having a high calibre rider like Maria on-board will allow us to test the limits of what the machine can do."
Featuring unique swingarm mounted motors, the Suzuki GSXR1300 Hayabusa based design retains the suspension and main chassis of the legendary bike while adding a bespoke Aluminium Alloy Battery cage and motor mounting. All new bodywork completes the bike and improves on the Hayabusa’s already impressive aerodynamic properties.
Propelling the bike are twin Lemco D135 Rag DC Brushed motors, each outputting 16kW (34kW peak) giving a combined 68kW/91bhp and 160Nm (peak) at the back wheel. These are controlled by a single Kelly KDH12800B unit allowing custom throttle ramps and thermal monitoring.
Delivering power to the motors are 90 Thundersky LFP40AHA LiFeYPO4 cells offering a combined 96V and 360A continuously; these packs are monitored by 3 REAP BMS14C Battery Management Systems (BMS’) which constantly monitor and adjust individual pack voltage. www.imperial-ttxgp.com
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