In the search for an accepted test model SAE International, recognised worldwide for developing motor vehicle standards, has adopted a new top speed test based on the protocol developed by the California based Motorcycle Industry Council’s Electric Vehicle Subcommittee.
"Prior to the development of this standardised test procedure, electric motorcycle manufacturers used different methods to calculate top speed, which presented a challenge for consumers interested in comparing various electric motorcycles", according to the MIC.
“With several brands of electric motorcycles on the market, having standardised testing protocol is vital”, said Abe Askenazi, Chair of the MIC’s Electric Vehicle Subcommittee and Chief Technology Officer at Zero Motorcycles.
 |
| Zero Motorcycles' Chief Technology Officer and MIC Electric Vehicle Chair Abe Askenazi says that "having a standardised protocol is vital" to developing consumer confidence and understanding when making E-bike performance comparisons |
“It allows manufacturers to be able to present consistent information to consumers for product comparison. The MIC’s Electric Vehicle Subcommittee is honoured that SAE has chosen to adopt our key recommendations”.
SAE J3007, Recommended Practice, Top Speed Test Procedure for Electric Motorcycles, is based on the European Union test procedure and sets standards for the many variables involved in determining top speed, such as vehicle equipment, battery charge-discharge cycle, test roadway conditions, and the rider’s weight, attire and riding position.
Additionally it considers atmospheric conditions, such as wind speed, temperature and atmospheric pressure.
The MIC's Electric Vehicle Subcommittee includes representatives of on-highway electric motorcycle makers who currently market or are developing electric motorcycles, as well as other industry participants. In addition to developing test procedures for the top speed and riding range, the subcommittee addresses a broad scope of issues related to electric vehicles, including public information/education and government legislation. SAE J3007 can be purchased from SAE at: http://standards.sae.org/j3007_201402/.
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programmes, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, California, with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organisation has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.
