Arc launches advanced all-electric motorcycle

Newly formed British motorcycle manufacturer Arc has launched what it calls ‘the most advanced electric motorcycle ever brought to market’ – the Vector.

Completely hand-built, the Vector is based around a lightweight carbon-composite structure and a battery monocoque. This helps to keep the bike’s weight down and combat the heavy construction of the batteries themselves.

In all, the whole bike weighs 220kg – around 60kg lighter than similar machines.

The Vector has a theoretical range of 200 miles in urban use or around 120 miles during high-speed riding. It is also capable of reaching 60mph in 3.1 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 120mph.

Coventry-based Arc will install a personal electric bike charger at the owner’s home, while at quick-charge public charging points the batteries can be replenished in 45 minutes.

The bike is combined with a new cutting-edge piece of rider-wearable technology – the Zenith helmet. This projects information such as speed, satellite navigation and ancillary graphics on to the rider’s visor, allowing them to keep their eyes on the road at all times. It even features a rear-view camera, enabling the user to see what is behind them.

It joins the Origin jacket, which features audio-type haptic amplifiers, which are similar to the vibration notifications on a smartphone. It can be used to alert the rider to vehicles in their blind spot, for instance.

Mark Truman, founder and chief executive of Arc Vehicle Ltd, said: “We felt that there was more one could get out of motorcycling which no one was tapping into. This is about using technology to strip back the experience of riding a bike through the use of haptics and head-up display. The helmet and jacket work in tandem with the Vector to remove distractions and emphasise the joy of riding.”

Prices for the Arc Vector start at £90,000, which includes the Zenith and Origin helmet and jacket combination.