A Bengaluru-based tech start-up called Mankame
Automotive has started a crowdfunding program to build the Mankame EP-1, an
electric sportbike which is claimed to eventually have a range of over 500 km
on a single charge. The EP-1 will use a high density battery pack and
compatible motor-controller combination giving it a total range of 480 km on a
full charge, at speeds of 70 kmph on the highway, and a range of 500-550 km in
the city, with active regenerative braking.
The liquid-cooled 18.4 kWh battery pack uses a
combination of high-density Samsung cells that make up the entire battery pack,
with dedicated Matrix BMS system to monitor and control individual cells
providing high levels of safety and efficiency, the company, headed by Swapnil
Mankame, says.
The rear wheel of the EP-1 is driven by an Aramid
Kevlar reinforced belt drive system connected to a 40KW high performance PMSM
motor with 180 Nm at the shaft and 432 Nm at the wheel, resulting in quiet
operation and increased torque-jerk tolerance and eliminating any lubrication
needs. The braking system consists of dual 320 mm front discs and a 240 mm rear
disc with Brembo calipers, reinforced with dual-channel intelligent ABS and
traction control with Machine Learning developed in-house.
The EP-1 will have a fully-adjustable Ohlins upside
down fork with a stroke of 120 mm and an optional Ohlins TTX GP rear shock. The
standard rear suspension will be a Showa pressurised shock with 30 mm stroke.
The EP-1 will have a kerb weight of just 160 kg with a ground clearance of 190
mm. The EP-1 will be built in Dharwad, Karnataka and will have three different
riding modes. In Economy mode, the bike can go up to a speed of 120 kmph, while
in Sport mode, maximum speed will be restricted to 180 kmph. In Race mode, the
EP-1 is expected to have speed limited to 251 kmph.
