Electric motorcycle gets two-speed transmission

A British company, E-Motiv Shift Systems, has developed a two-speed transmission for electric motorcycles that can shift gears without interrupting power delivery to the rear wheel. This innovation, designed to improve acceleration and performance, will be showcased at the EICMA 2026 motorcycle show.

Traditional electric motorcycles use single gear

Unlike most electric motorcycles, which typically use a single gear ratio, E-Motiv's system aims to allow the motor to operate more efficiently across different driving conditions. Electric motors generally provide high torque from low RPMs and operate over a wide range, which typically allows for a single fixed gear.

Seamless shift technology maintains power

The key feature of E-Motiv's system is its "seamless shift" technology, which maintains power delivery to the rear wheel during gear changes. This approach is expected to improve acceleration and the overall efficiency of the motor and transmission system. The transition between gears can be adjusted to be nearly imperceptible on urban motorcycles or more direct on sport models.

Two-speed transmissions appear in cars too

The technology is also being explored in the automotive sector, with electric vehicles such as the Mercedes CLA and Porsche Taycan featuring two-speed transmissions. Some models, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, simulate gear shifts for driving sensations without actual mechanical transmissions.

Prototype to be tested in 2027

E-Motiv plans to conduct initial road tests in early 2027 with a prototype called "Demo 1," designed by Envisage and assembled by IAAPS. Specific performance improvements or commercialization timelines have not been announced yet. The complexity and potential trade-offs in terms of weight, cost, and real-world efficiency remain to be evaluated.

EICMA 2026 will show the system

The technology will be demonstrated at EICMA 2026 on stand S79 in hall 9. The project has received funding of up to one million pounds from Innovate UK and involved collaboration with BSA, the University of Bath, and the Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS).