Alternet Systems previewed its phase 2 plans for the company’s recently launched Electric Vehicle (EV) business called ReVolt Electric Motorbikes utilizing the company’s portfolio of patented lithium battery technologies developed by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and tested by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
The company has a prototype electric motorcycle under development at this time targeted for the U.S. market. The first motorcycle, currently in pilot production, is based on BMW’s classic, WWII era, R71 motorcycle with sidecar.
ReVolt is planning to produce a limited edition of the retro-classic electric motorcycle later this year in time for the holiday season.
Alternet and ReVolt’s phase 2 plan is to develop a utility, daily driver electric motorcycle for the developing and transitional markets with plans to introduce the electric motorbike next year in Africa.
Atlernet and ReVolt’s phase 2 plan supports the United Nations Environmental Program guidance for 2 and 3 wheel vehicles in developing and transitional markets.
From The UN Environment On Electric 2 & 3 Wheelers:
Transport accounts for about 25% of energy-related CO2 emissions, and is a major source of air pollution. It impacts public health and climate change. In many Asian and African countries, 2&3 wheelers are a primary transport mode with rapid growth of motorcycle fleets projected in the near future; they also serve as a critical link to urban transport systems.
However, many of these internal combustion engine 2&3 wheelers are old and inefficient, thus emitting substantial amounts of particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) emissions. Two-stroke scooters, for example, produce more particle emissions than a passenger car.
Experts agree that 2&3 wheelers are the first priority in moving to electric mobility as they provide net carbon benefits regardless of “upstream” electricity-carbon mix.
Given the rapid growth of 2&3 wheeler fleets in developing and transitional countries, UN Environment is supporting six countries to develop national programmes for the introduction of electric 2&3 wheelers: Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia in East Africa, and the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. This project will be the first global effort to introduce electric 2&3 wheelers in non-OECD countries, and will start the transition from internal combustion engine 2&3 wheelers to electric and non-motorized 2&3 wheelers.
The project will see to a transformative integration of electric 2&3 wheelers into existing urban transport modes via a comprehensive policy framework. It will replicate the lessons learned in other countries throughout the sub-regions, as a first step towards a general shift to electric mobility.
A global transition stands to reduce road transport emissions by at least 1.5 Gt of CO2. This intervention directly impacts the population of the countries by reducing air pollution, improving national energy security, and creating green jobs.