3 minute read
Electric superbike designed by students to race this summer
As the government sets out proposals to ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035, the race to electrify the motor industry is on.
Inspired by the rapidly evolving automotive sector, 40 University of Warwick students are now taking on the challenge to design, build and develop an electric superbike to race at events this summer.
The 40 students from a range of departments including Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), School of Engineering, Computer Science, Physics and Maths, will work together to make the electric superbike possible with support from Rajputana Custom Motorcycles and Mupo Race Suspension.
A team of 40 students are designing, building and developing an electric superbike to race this summer / Picture: WMG, University of Warwick
School of Engineering student, Aman Surana, who is managing the Warwick Moto team, said: “The reason why I’m doing engineering is because of my interest in motorsports, be it four wheels or two. More than theory and the principles behind engineering concepts, it’s about the practical experience and finding real solutions rather than just what works on paper.
“My work experience at one of Asia’s biggest custom motorcycle shops Rajputana Custom Motorcycles helped reinforce my passion for motorcycles and is the reason Warwick Moto exists.
“It’s great to have the support from our sponsors Rajputana Custom Motorcycles and Mupo Race Suspension, and further support from WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, leading academics in the industry are helping us to make this possible.”
Superbike rider, Tom Weeden, has agreed to ride the electric superbike and will be involved in all testing and trials ready for a self-organised technological demonstration event in July 2020.
Tom added: “I’m over the moon to be signing to ride the Warwick Moto electric bike in 2020 and hopefully beyond. The electric class is something I’ve been interested in and keen to be involved in for some time now. I’m looking forward to working with the students to develop a package that we can build for the future. Hopefully one day we can go to the TT and take it to the big-budget teams.
“The passion these guys have is truly inspiring and I’m looking forward to learning more about how the technology works and adapting my riding to suit the different characteristics of the electric motor.”
Superbike racer Tom Weeden has agreed to ride the bike, and will be involved in the testing and trials / Picture: WMG, University of Warwick
The students will have the motor and invertor delivered and tested in the next month, and will test the battery at the same time. A prototype of the bike is hoped to be ready for testing by March.
The bike will then race at events over the summer, with a long-term objective of competing with a podium qualifying time at the Isle of Man TT 2022.