WMC (White Motorcycle Concepts), the company leading the British electric motorcycle land-speed world-record program, has unveiled an innovative and fast-charging electric motorcycle that is tailored to meet the unique needs of fleets and first responders around the world.
With a 100-mile range on the intense emergency services drive cycle (or 125 miles on the standard drive cycle), the WMC300E+ is a powerhouse. Its unique battery design, developed by MAHLE Powertrain, allows for quick recharging in under 15 minutes using a standard CCS charger.
“The whole industry is facing a huge technical and commercial challenge to produce an electric motorcycle with performance close to its petrol equivalent,” said Robert White, Founder & CEO, White Motorcycle Concepts. “Current electric motorcycles are focussed upon retail needs, but fleet customers, and particularly emergency first responders, demand high levels of availability that, due to charge times, existing solutions just can’t deliver. Meeting that demand, while complying with forthcoming legislation and helping to achieve all fleet’s net-zero ambitions, has required clean-sheet engineering thinking and the combination of some innovative technologies. Following processes and procedures learnt whilst in F1, our in-house engineering team has rapidly developed the concept; using a range of validated in-house modelling and computer fluid dynamics simulation techniques, prototyping and validation, and finally engineering for, and delivering, full assembly. The result, the WMC300E+, presents a market-leading product for fleets and first responders, with greater operational parity to its petrol equivalent, but with zero emissions in use.”
At the centre of its unique capabilities are a remarkable aerodynamic performance and an innovative battery design. The WMC300E+ patented V-Duct, which runs through the middle of the motorcycle, significantly reduces drag and improves overall performance, stability, and energy consumption. This novel central air duct is a result of years of refinement through WMC’s land-speed record initiatives. In the WMC300E+, a dual-channel system has been optimized to increase aerodynamic efficiency by 25%.
A crucial element in the bike’s ability to charge quickly and operate efficiently is its unique battery design, developed and constructed by MAHLE Powertrain, a specialized engineering company. Switching to an electric powertrain for motorcycles allows for more flexibility in packaging, which influenced the shape of the battery. After extensive testing and development, WMC and MAHLE Powertrain engineers chose a T-shaped battery pack that not only centralizes mass for optimal vehicle performance, but also maximizes aerodynamic efficiency and fits within the complex packaging limitations of the bike.
The battery cell is equipped with advanced Lithium Cobalt Oxide and Nickel Manganese Aluminium chemistry that allows for high charging rates while also being highly resistant to wear and tear, resulting in a longer lifespan. This pack includes key components inspired by MAHLE Powertrain’s M³x battery module concept, including innovative cooling methods that improve cell thermal performance and maintain consistent temperatures throughout the entire pack. It also has the capability to prevent any potential failure from spreading between cells.
The battery pack includes a built-in DC-DC converter, providing a direct connection for the traction motor, charger, and 12V system of the bike. This makes for a simpler implementation overall. The design also took into account the necessary power for auxiliary equipment like lights, sirens, and radios used by emergency personnel. Despite its large 11.9 kWh capacity, the battery was designed with efficiency in mind to allow for practical under-seat storage, easily fitting a full-face helmet.
“This project called upon the full suite of capabilities available at our Battery Engineering Centre in Northampton,” said Jonathan Hall, MAHLE Powertrain’s Head of Research and Advanced Engineering department. “Starting with a clean-sheet design, using a range of validated in-house modelling and simulation techniques, through to pack specification, cell selection and characterisation, prototyping and testing, and finally small series production, our team have worked closely with WMC to deliver the engineering solutions needed to meet their ambitious targets.”
With its fully-electric propulsion system, the new WMC300E+ not only produces zero emissions during use, but also boasts better acceleration than its gasoline counterpart. This model is also capable of reaching speeds up to 100mph while maintaining excellent aerodynamic stability, even with heavily-loaded panniers attached.
The bike’s eye-catching appearance increases the visibility of riders, an essential aspect in emergency response situations. Additionally, its ability to be operated with a standard car license eliminates the need for specialized training, making it suitable for paramedics and other first responders as well as for last-mile delivery tasks. Its compact charging requirements also make it convenient for deployment in areas where space and power resources are limited.
In addition to providing eco-friendly transportation for quick response fleets, the initiative also aligns with WMC’s commitment to sustainability by incorporating recycled carbon-fiber into the motorcycle’s construction. The battery pack, developed by MAHLE Powertrain, is designed to be the optimal size and allows for fast charging, reducing the need for rare earth materials and minimizing downtime
Thanks to the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s ARMD2 program, this project has received partial funding. It is an extension of the successful WMC300FR hybrid motorcycle project, which was created in partnership with Northamptonshire Police and is currently being tested by emergency services throughout the UK.
The new WMC300E+ made its public debut at Cenex Expo 2024, which ran from 4-5th September at UTAC Millbrook.
