E-Motiv to showcase two-speed transmission

E-Motiv Shift Systems, a British company specializing in transmissions, confirmed on October 26 that it will exhibit its two-speed transmission for electric motorcycles at the EICMA fair in Milan, from November 3 to 8.

Technology aims to improve performance and efficiency

The technology aims to allow motorcyclists to maintain strong acceleration at start-up while consuming less energy on highways, where electric motorcycles typically lose the most range.

Demo 1 motorcycle under development

At the fair, E-Motiv will demonstrate its technology through a demonstration motorcycle named Demo 1, which is still under construction. The British engineering and design group Envisage designed it, and the IAAPS, the propulsion research center at the University of Bath, is responsible for assembly.

Project completion and test reservations

In a statement published on October 25, E-Motiv aims to complete the project by January 2027 and has already opened reservations for tests for that month.

Single gear ratio limitations

Almost all electric motorcycle manufacturers use only a single gear ratio, which is lighter and requires less maintenance. However, this single ratio imposes a compromise between acceleration responsiveness and a reasonable engine speed at high speeds.

Range differences on highways

This adjustment affects range, and the difference is quickly noticeable on highways. For example, the Zero DS claims 249 km of range in the city, but only 161 km on highways, which is about 36% less.

Two-speed transmission benefits

A transmission will not eliminate air resistance, which explains most of this loss. However, a longer second gear allows the motor to run more slowly, thus using less energy. Porsche made this choice as early as 2019 on the rear axle of its Taycan.

Gear shift challenges

The difficulty lies in the gear shift itself. On a thermal motorcycle, the thrust is interrupted at each gear change, even if a "shifter" (assisted selector) reduces this interruption to a fraction of a second.

E-Motiv's seamless shift technology

In contrast, E-Motiv claims that its transmission transfers torque from one transmission path to another without any interruption. The technology derives from the "seamless shift" developed by Zeroshift, the company from which E-Motiv originated, for thermal engines approximately 25 years ago.

MotoGP application of the system

Aprilia has been using this no-interruption shifting system on its RS-GP MotoGP motorcycle since 2015. On paper, the argument holds. E-Motiv has not, however, published any figures on the weight of its transmission, its cost, or the expected range gain.

No production motorcycles announced

Even though a second gear adds components to machines where every kilogram counts, the Demo 1 remains intended to convince manufacturers, and no production motorcycles are announced. To do this, initial tests of the demonstrator are planned for January 2027.

EICMA fair details

Until then, the company will receive manufacturers and curious visitors at stand S79 in hall 9 of the EICMA at Fiera Milano Rho.