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MIC adds highway testing range for electric motorcycles

The Motorcycle Industry Council continues to extend its support to the growing electric vehicle market by adding “Highway” range test procedures to the previously adopted MIC recommended practice for determining the “City” riding range for electric highway motorcycles.

Additionally, the MIC received agreement from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Motorcycle Technical Steering Committee to consider an SAE standard protocol for electric motorcycle range, based on MIC’s recommended practice.

The new MIC recommended practice adds a “Highway Commuting” range test procedure and two constant speed tests that could be used to supplement the previously developed MIC “City” Riding Range Test Procedure for stop-and-go operation, published in March 2011. The “Highway Commuting Range” for electric motorcycles with a top speed of at least 55 mph is based on “50% stop-and-go” (city riding) and “50% constant speed” operation. For vehicles capable of maintaining a constant speed of 55 mph for 10 minutes, both a City Range value and Highway Commuting Range value will be reported. Reporting of range values for the constant speed tests is optional.

“The electric vehicle segment of the motorcycle market is at a crucial point,” said MIC general counsel Paul Vitrano. “As an organization that promotes the prosperity of the motorcycle industry, we have a rare opportunity to provide support to this fledgling segment of the market. This new MIC protocol for determining range for electric motorcycles is a step in the right direction toward providing consumers with reliable information they need to make purchasing decisions.”

The MIC test procedure is limited to use on street-legal electric motorcycles with a top speed of at least 26 mph. In all three range test procedures, additional elements taken into consideration include tire pressure and vehicle weight, as well as ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed and more.

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One Comment

  1. Why would the “Highway Commuting Range” be based on 50% constant speed and 50% stop-and-go? By definition, “Highway” means constant, and “City” means stop-and-go. How can you determine the “Highway Commuting Range” if the test doesn’t include actual data from 100% contstant speed highway operation? What gives?

    If the “City” range is based on 100% stop-and-go operation, then the “Highway” range should be based on 100% constant speed (over 55mph) operation. Why would it be determined any other way?

    For prospective buyers, honest range estimates are crucial for electric vehicles because when they run out- they’re out. You’re stranded. And since “The electric vehicle segment of the motorcycle market is at a crucial point”, it’s an especially bad time for the MIC to implement a new protocol that provides prospective buyers with erroneous and misleading information.

    Get it together, MIC. Honesty and facts will go a lot further in this emerging market than deceptive smoke-and-mirror tactics. The OEMs and the MIC should be straightforward and honest with the public about current EV performance- or it will come back to haunt you. Shame on you both.

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