Just what is the Zero Race, you ask? Well, this is a unique event that will see contestants attempt to make a dash around the globe within 80 days without an iota of emission – we’re talking about zero emission here, and that is achievable only using purebred electric powered vehicles. In this unique event, one of the most distinctive entries would be the Zerotracer. It was speically designed by a group of engineers from Winterthur, Switzerland, where this delicious looking electric motorcycle is capable of ferrying around two passengers in a Kevlar shell. To help it complete its mission faster, you definitely won’t expect it to plod around, right? Which is why it has the ability to hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), while achieving a maximum range of 350 km (217 miles) on a single charge.
This vehicle is built based on a MonoTracer body, although the original 4-cylinder in-line BMW K-engine has been taken out only to be replaced with a battery-powered electric motor which is capable of churning out 135 kW/183Hp to propel the Zerotracer from 0-100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds, a figure not to be trifled with. Should there be no passengers on it, the vehicle tips the scales at under 80kg (176-lbs) and the 18 kWh, 400V battery pack can achieve a full charged in just a couple of hours, whereas a quick charge is able to juice up the battery pack to 80 percent capacity in under 30 minutes.
As both the driver and passenger are safely enclosed in the vehicle’s Kevlar composite outer shell, neither are able to use their legs to remain upright when the Zerotracer isn’t moving. How then, does it do it? Well, a pair of retractable wheels will help the Zeroracer stabilize itself when stationary. To move, it will retract said wheels which protrude from the side of the cabin, although they will come into action to function as a “knee” of sorts to skim the road when cornering at high speeds to maintain its stability. Can’t wait for something like this to hit the mainstream market.
