Lightning Motors' electric motorcycle is powered by lithium ion batteries only. It goes 0 to 60 mph in around 3 seconds, has a top speed of 100 mph and can go about 100 mile before recharging.

The bike show is a Yamaha RI redesigned to be powered by lithium-ion batteries. The entire engine of Yamaha is missing, also its tailpipes, radiator, gas cap, transmission and clutch. These parts are replaced by a set of yellow batteries, an AC regenerative motor, an electric throttle and a three prong plug which can be connected to a standard outlet for recharging.

The Lightning Lithium bike is based on Tesla electric sports car, which is powered by thousands of batteries; the bike shown uses just 28 batteries. Each battery has a capacity of 3.2 volts, 90 amp-hours and 6.6 pounds. All these batteries together weigh less than the engine and all the parts that were in the original bike and replaced in this electric conversion.

While the majority of the batteries are concentrated in a Mondrian-esque block where the engine used to be, they're also tucked under the seat where the exhaust was once located, to mimic the weight distribution of a stock R1.

The Lightning Lithium is a prototype; it cost them about $15,000 to convert and developed by Richard Hatfield, a motorcycle enthusiast and a solar panel importer and Todd Kollin. In the next few years, they will make comparable priced models using a custom chassis and also produce a less powerful $6,000 to $8,000 model.

With advancements in batteries and storage technology, the bikes can go farther than 100 mile range and also cheaper to charge batteries. If the energy is generated by renewable sources such as wind powered and solar generation, then Lightning Lithium electric bike will become a great alternative.

Details:
Lightning Motors’ 1999 Yamaha R1 electric conversion
Price: $15,000
Powertrain: AC regenerative motor powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries, 550-amp system, one speed
Maximum torque: 80 pound-feet
Maximum rpm: 8,000
Potential horsepower: 70
Estimated range: 80 miles at 65 mph
Dry weight: About 400 pounds
Charge time: Seven hours with on-board charger that plugs into a standard outlet