Clean Green Cars: Hirsch Design develops Comoto electric bike, plans production later this year

Hirsch Design develops Comoto electric bike, plans production later this year

Comoto electric bike - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just how small and light can an electric motorcycle be while still providing the performance and durability riders expect? That question may soon be answered by the 118-pound Comoto, designed by Hirsch Design and planned for production later this year. Using an aircraft-grade T6 aluminum monocoque frame that employs twin flat panels sandwiching the electronics and battery pack, the Comoto appears just as much mountain bike as motorcycle.

With such a unique and lightweight design, performance and durability will naturally be of paramount concern. We’ll need to wait until machines show up in rider’s hands to know about the latter, but Hirsch says the Comoto is capable of hitting a top speed of 40 miles per hour with a range of over 30 miles per two-hour (at 20 Amps) charge.

A brushless motor resides in the rear hub while electrons are provided courtesy of a 72-Volt, 20 Ah lithium ion phosphate battery pack. A mono shock at the rear coupled with a Marzocchi fork with up to 180 mm of travel make up the suspension bits and 26-inch mountain-bike-sized wheels keep everything on the ground rolling. So far, no word on expected price.

Gallery: Comoto electric bike