Summary
- BYD is considering producing its own electric motorbikes in-house, as shown by new patent drawings
- The motorbike would fall into the 250cc to 350cc equivalent segment, offering around 15-25 kW and a battery capacity of up to 9 kWh
- The design includes higher performance features such as dual front brake rotors, suggesting higher speeds than commuter electric scooters
- The motor appears to be mounted coaxially with the swingarm, reducing suspension complexity
- BYD is known for producing lower-cost electric vehicles with LiFePO4 batteries, but there is no confirmation yet on whether they will produce electric motorcycles or scooters.
Article
The carmaker BYD has unveiled new patent drawings hinting at its potential future production of electric motorbikes in-house. The designs suggest a motorbike in the 250cc to 350cc equivalent segment with a power output of 15-25 kW and a battery capacity of up to 9 kWh. The inclusion of higher performance features such as dual front brake rotors indicates that the motorbike may offer higher speeds compared to existing commuter electric scooters on the market. The motorbike’s design features a coaxially mounted motor with the swingarm, similar to the setup seen in Zero Motorcycles’ flagship models, which helps reduce suspension complexity.
BYD is renowned for producing lower-cost electric vehicles packed with features, such as the Han EV, which is priced below $25,000 in China. The company’s LiFePO4 batteries are popular in the electric vehicle market and could potentially be used in BYD’s own line of electric motorbikes. Originally focused on rechargeable battery manufacturing, BYD has expanded into the automotive industry and is now one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturers globally, producing a range of electric vehicles including cars, buses, and trucks, as well as batteries.
While the patent drawings hint at the possibility of BYD entering the electric motorbike market, there is no concrete confirmation of this move. Many companies design and patent two-wheeled electric vehicles as a strategic measure to preserve designs for future consideration or to safeguard developments from competitors. BYD’s reputation for innovation in electric mobility makes the potential introduction of electric motorcycles or scooters a logical next step for the company, leveraging its expertise in battery technology and electric vehicle manufacturing.
The partnership between BYD and Scorpio, a Singapore-based electric scooter company, showcases BYD’s involvement in the electric scooter market. BYD’s batteries are utilized in Scorpio’s high-performance electric scooters, demonstrating the carmaker’s commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. With the growing demand for electric motorcycles and scooters globally, BYD’s entry into this market segment could further solidify its position as a key player in the electric vehicle industry, offering consumers more environmentally friendly transportation options.
The patent drawings reveal a potential new direction for BYD, expanding its product portfolio to include electric motorbikes that combine performance, efficiency, and affordability. If BYD decides to proceed with the production of electric motorcycles, it would likely leverage its experience in battery technology and electric vehicle manufacturing to deliver innovative and reliable products to consumers. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, BYD’s entry into the electric motorbike segment could contribute to the advancement of sustainable transportation solutions and further establish BYD as a leading player in the industry.
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