CFMoto - ZEEHO electric scooter concept
By Ben Purvis
CFMoto (ChungFeng) is increasingly making its mark as the spearhead of the Chinese bike industry's push into the wider world, and now the firm is adding electric power to its armoury with the launch of its ZEEHO brand.
While other mainstream bike companies talk a good game where electric models are concerned, making positive noises but stopping short of diving headlong into the field, CFMoto has the advantage of a city-bound Chinese buying public that's already accepted battery power as a viable option.
As such, its first ZEEHO model is promised to be a scooter aimed squarely at urban users. Called the Cyber, the first ZEEHO machine is still officially a concept bike, but apart from a handful of typical 'concept' details, it's likely to be a close approximation of the company's first showroom electric offering.
Spec-wise, the Cyber packs a 'Cobra' motor that's rated at 10 kW - just under the 11 kW limit for learner status riders - with 92% efficiency in converting electricity into drive. As with all electric bikes, that's a 'continuous' power rating, suggesting a peak power, available for short bursts, that might be significantly higher.
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| ZEEHO Cyber concept |
It's driven via a 4 kWh, pouch-style lithium-ion battery for a range of more than 80 miles between charges. Addressing longevity concerns, the battery is claimed to be good for 2,500 charge cycles, adding up to a 200,000-mile lifespan, and it's designed to operate in ambient temperatures anywhere from -20° to 55° Celsius. What's more, the firm says it can be charged to 80% full in 30 minutes.
In typical electric motor fashion, the Cobra unit puts out vast amounts of torque from minimal revs, with a peak of 213 Nm, enough to take the Cyber to 30 mph in 2.9s and on to a top speed of 68 mph.
Given CFMoto's close ties to KTM, the Cyber gets styling from Kiska Design - the company that's sculpted all the latest-generation KTMs and CFMoto models - and European components including Bosch traction control, Brembo brakes and Pirelli tyres.
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| 300GT-E |
Since it's officially still a concept bike, CFMoto has added some typically tech-laden ideas, including a 360° warning system using six cameras, plus an augmented reality helmet and voice control, as well as more real-world kit like keyless start and app-based diagnostics.
The first production ZEEHO model is due later in 2021, and the firm has said that while it's launched with a concept scooter, a whole array of scooters and bigger motorcycles will follow.
One of those future machines is likely to be a close relation to another electric CFMoto that's debuted in China, a battery-powered motorcycle that's being offered to the country's police forces in response to a government tender for such a vehicle. Called the 300GT-E, it features a 10.5 kW motor from Blue Stone New Power, claiming 94% efficiency and a peak output of 18 kW (24 hp). That puts it roughly on a par, performance-wise, with a 300 cc single.
The 300GT-E has already achieved type approval in China, with a quoted top speed of 75 mph, a curb weight of 225 kg and a range of 93 miles between charges. As is the norm for electric bikes, the motor drives through a simple reduction gearbox, with just one ratio, and a belt takes power to the rear wheel. With no need for a clutch, the back brake is on the left bar, leaving no foot controls.
Unlike the Cyber scooter, the 300GT-E doesn't try to dazzle with concept bike gadgetry. There's ABS, of course, along with traction control and three riding modes - sport, eco and street - while the 7in TFT dash also gives Bluetooth smartphone connectivity for calls, music and navigation, just like so many of 2021's petrol-powered machines.
CFMoto already has a dominant position as the supplier of Chinese police bikes, with the firm's 650TR-G tourer the most commonly used model, and the all-new, KTM V-twin-powered 1250TR-G launched last year as a new high-performance alternative. Those police contracts have previously led to the development of consumer versions of the same bikes, so a showroom version of the 300GT-E is very likely to become one of the models offered under the new ZEEHO brand name.
