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Isle of Man, June 16, 2009 — The Isle of Man Time Trials Xtreme Grand Prix (TTX GP) was a proving ground for electric motorcycles. The race took place on the same 37.73-mile mountain circuit that hosts the annual Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race (TT), one of the most difficult motorcycle race tracks in the world.

The TTX GP’s winning bike was an Anglo-Indian production, from electric motor manufacturer Agni. It completed the course with an average speed of 87 mph. The fastest bike through the speed trap was XXL Racing’s machine, which clocked in at 106.5 mph. Many of the race teams have announced plans to produce road versions of these bikes.

The ebikes averaged 87mph on this circuit. This is considerably less than the lap record with a gasolene-fuled bike, which averaged 131 mph. But to maintain 87mph demands both skill and bravery. Unlike a MotoGP race circuit, there is no gravel to run off to at the TT. Even the smallest error can be fatal.

1) Agni Motors

From: U.K./India
Bike number: 12
Result: overall winner
Time: 25:53

The Anglo-Indian company Agni manufactures DC motors in India. They are used mainly to power go-karts for indoor tracks.

Their bike ran on two DC electric motors. It had to use two because the company doesn’t make a single motor durable enough to take all the power this bike can create. The two motors were coupled with a shaft and then drive the rear wheel with a fixed ratio. The false fuel tank covers the bike’s battery-management system.

The Agni won the very first electric TT, by 3 minutes 7 seconds, lapping 10 mph faster than its competitors. In terms of performance, this bike set the standard by which all future electric race motorcycles will be judged.

2) XXL Racing

From: Germany
Bike number: 18
Result: second in Pro class
Time: 29:04

The XXL Racing team ran their bike, the Xstromer, used a Siemens motor developed for Audi to be used in a prototype hybrid Audi A4. The German entry used lithium-manganese batteries, the type used in many power tools. “They are heavier and don’t have the capacity of other lithium-ion cells, but they don’t need battery-management systems,” says Werner. “It’s the only battery in the world that doesn’t need that.”

3) Team Brammo

From: Oregon, USA
Bike number: 11 and 26
Result: Third in Pro class and a DNF (did not finish)
Time: 30:02

Brammo is already in the business of building electric commuter bikes. Their two-bike team is supported by electronics retailer Best Buy.

Every team ran batteries from the lithium-ion family, but Brammo chose lithium cobalt oxide (a type of lithium-polymer cell). Often used for remote controlled cars and planes, many teams avoided the lithium polymers because of their reputation of being volatile if overcharged or punctured. Brammo used 216 of them to power a single, liquid-cooled, permanent-magnet, alternating current motor.

Brammo is ramping up production of its electric commuter, the Enertia.

4) Mission Motors

From: San Francisco, USA
Number: 1
Result: fourth in the Pro class
Time: 30:33

The Mission One is powered by 14 modules of lithium-polymer cells (like those used in laptops) and a liquid-cooled brushless AC induction motor. It is the prototype of Mission’s upcoming electric sportbike. “The motor makes the same torque at 100 rpm as it does at 15,000 rpm,” says Mission’s Jeremy Cleland, who joined the company from electric-supercar manufacturer Tesla. “Our bike has a single-speed transmission, and the acceleration is the same at 80 mph as it is at walking pace.”