Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer Tacita has launched an all-electric cruiser with a massive battery for longer range. The bike, called the T-cruiser, is claimed to run for 270 km on a single charge. The Tacita T-Cruiser is available in three power versions - 7.5 kWh, 15 kWh and the top-of-the-range 27 kWh. Prices for the bikes range from 9,263 Euros (just over Rs. 7 lakh) and go up to 21,000 Euros (over Rs. 16 lakh). According to reports, a new, sportier version of the T-Cruiser is also expected soon, and could likely make its debut at the EICMA show in Italy in November.
The Tacita T-Cruiser has cruiser styling, but design isn't exactly appealing
The batteries in the T-Cruiser are from Lithium Polymer, and not Lithium Ion and have a five-year guarantee. The Li-Po batteries have a slight advantage in energy density, but also cost more than Li-Ion batteries. For the largest T-Cruiser model, the Li-Po batteries are said to have a life of 5,40,000 km. The T-Cruiser has 41 mm front forks, adjustable for preload and there is an after sales option for a gas-filled front fork as well. Brakes are from Brembo, gripping a 280 mm front disk and a 240 mm rear, and are wired to the charging system, so it regenerates energy every time the brakes are applied. The footrests can be mounted on three different positions on the bike.
The top-spec Tacita T-Cruiser boasts of 270 km range on a single charge
The Tacita T-Cruiser has typical cruiser design, with a long, low chassis, raised bars and a single, round headlight. The design of the bike isn't exactly beautiful, but there are bound to be some takers for these bikes, till the time Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle program reaches production status. The other unique thing about the T-Cruiser is the five-speed gearbox with a hydraulic clutch, which includes a reverse gear. As a manufacturer of electric motorcycles, Tacita has been around for some time now, having previously created history with the T-Race Rally, which became the first ever electric motorcycle to participate in a desert rally, at the 2012 Merzouga Rally.
