Aerodynamic battery for electric motorcycle
White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) in the UK has launched the world’s first electric motorcycle where the battery design is shaped by aerodynamics.
The powertrain and battery in the White WMC300E+ electric motorcycle was developed by Mahle in Germany and provides 100 mile range with 15 minute fast charging.
“The whole industry is facing a huge technical and commercial challenge to produce an electric motorcycle with performance close to its petrol equivalent,” said Robert White, Founder & CEO, White Motorcycle Concepts (above).
The 11.9 kWh battery pack uses cells with a Lithium Cobalt Oxide with Nickel Manganese Aluminium chemistry, capable of sustaining high charge rates yet also resistant to ageing for a longer lifespan. The pack incorporates key elements from Mahle Powertrain’s M³x battery module concept, including a cooling system that enhance cell thermal performance and ensure even temperature profiles across the entire pack, as well as the ability to supress propagation between cells in the event of a failure.
After a comprehensive programme of modelling, simulation and prototyping, WMC and Mahle Powertrain’s engineers settled on a T-shaped battery pack, delivering mass centralisation (for optimum vehicle dynamics), maximising the duct aerodynamic efficiency benefit and fit within the bike’s complex packaging constraints.
A DC-DC converter is integrated within the battery pack, allowing the traction motor, charger, and the bike’s 12V system to be connected directly to it, simplifying the overall implementation. Special consideration was given to the need to power ancillary equipment such as lights, sirens and radios by emergency responders.
“Current electric motorcycles are focussed upon retail needs, but fleet customers, and particularly emergency first responders, demand high levels of availability that, due to charge times, existing solutions just can’t deliver. Meeting that demand, while complying with forthcoming legislation and helping to achieve all fleet’s net-zero ambitions, has required clean-sheet engineering thinking and the combination of some innovative technologies,” said White.
“Following processes and procedures learnt whilst in F1, our in-house engineering team has rapidly developed the concept; using a range of validated in-house modelling and computer fluid dynamics simulation techniques, prototyping and validation, and finally engineering for, and delivering, full assembly. The result, the WMC300E+, presents a market-leading product for fleets and first responders, with greater operational parity to its petrol equivalent, but with zero emissions in use.”
The design also uses WMC’s patented V-Duct, a venturi duct that passes through the centre of the motorcycle that substantially reduces aerodynamic drag, improving performance, enhancing stability, and reducing energy consumption. The concept behind this central air duct has been honed as part of the company’s land-speed record programme, and in the WMC300E+ an optimised dual-channel design delivers a 25% increase in aerodynamic efficiency.
“This project called upon the full suite of capabilities available at our Battery Engineering Centre in Northampton,” said Jonathan Hall, Mahle Powertrain’s Head of Research and Advanced Engineering department. “Starting with a clean-sheet design, using a range of validated in-house modelling and simulation techniques, through to pack specification, cell selection and characterisation, prototyping and testing, and finally small series production, our team have worked closely with WMC to deliver the engineering solutions needed to meet their ambitious targets.”
The development was partially funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s second round of the Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator (ARMD2) programme and builds on the success of the WMC300FR hybrid three-wheeled motorcycle, developed in conjunction with Northamptonshire Police and on trial with emergency services across the UK.
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