UK-based Arc wants to build a PhP5.9M Vector electric motorcycle

Fully electric sport bike to go on sale in 2021

First announced in EICMA 2018, UK-based Arc motorcycles will being production on its first model, the Vector advanced electric motorcycle.

The £90,000 (PhP5.9M) neo-café racer will begin production at the end of 2020. 399 units will be built in the first 18 months in its facility in St. Athan, South Wales.

This electric motorcycle features a number of innovations. It’s built on a carbon monocoque which includes the battery module to create a light but stiff chassis. The rear features a carbon swing arm made in collaboration with MotoGP manufacturer, Riba. The new swing arm was designed to enable lateral flex for cornering stability, grip, and agility.

Over in the front is a hub-center steering system. Unlike conventional motorcycle forks where the head stock turns the entire fork and wheel, this system features pivot points inside the hub of the wheel. This technology was chosen to give the bike better low-speed control while retaining the dive under breaking to feel like a conventional bike. It also allows for a stiffer setup, steep rake angle and faster changes in direction without sacrificing high speed stability.

Powering the bike is a battery cell composed of Samsung 21-700 batteries. The Vector features 960 of these cells to power the 399-volt electric motor. Contrary to what the pictures show, this power will be transferred to the rear wheels via a belt drive for smoother power delivery, low weight, and low maintenance. It will produce 135 PS (133 Bhp) and boast of a range of 435 kilometers. It will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3 seconds and on to a top speed of 201 kilometers per hour. It achieves this performance without the use of a clutch, or any gears.

It will be brought to a stop with Brembo brake discs and calipers from Stylemas. It will ride on Ohlins customizable suspension. Connecting it to the ground are lightweight BST wheels on Pirelli rubber. It will be governed by ABS systems from Continental.

Besides ABS, the bike will also feature riding aides like traction control, variable dynamic modes, a heads up display and haptic alert systems.

Overall, the Arc Vector tips the scales at just 220 kg. It boasts of a power-to-weight ratio of 650 bhp per tonne, better than most exotic sports cars.

Arc founder & CEO, Mark Truman, has been personally undertaking much of the track testing himself at circuits and airfields around the Midlands in the UK.

He shares that the philosophy when it comes to tuning the bike’s handling is to balance performance with control. "It’s an agile motorcycle with plenty of power, but it’s designed to be user friendly and fun to ride both in town and on the open road. It’s a bike designed for life more than racing."

The Arc Vector will begin production at the end of 2020. Its initial 399 units will be sold in 2021 at a hefty price of £90,000 (PhP 5.9M).