We are in the midst of an electric motorcycle revolution, and nowhere is that more obvious than on the racetrack. The new technology is not about tweaking the status quo. It’s about shattering it. And that’s just what Michael Czysz plans to do at the TT Zero motorcycle race.

The head guy at MotoCzysz — that’s pronounced MotoSizz, as in sizzle — is returning to the Isle of Man for another run at the famed Mountain Course on a supersexy electric motorcycle that is sure to make your heart skip a beat. Last year’s bike, the equally gorgeous E1PC, used three motors and 10 lithium-ion batteries. Czysz says it would do zero to 120 mph in seven seconds, but we’ll have to take his word for it. Mechanical gremlins sidelined the bike during the inaugural TTXGP electric motorcycle race.

As good as that bike may have been, it’s last year’s model. The bike we’ll see this year shares just 10 percent of its parts with the E1PC. Czysz says the technology is changing too fast to look back.

Originally from: Autopia

An Isle of Man government decision to stage its own green TT event in 2010 could save the taxpayer up to £95,000, the House of Keys has been told.

Tourism Minister Martyn Quayle outlined the costs as he defended the decision to sever ties with 2009’s organiser TTXGP to create TT Zero.

He said the TT Zero budget was expected to be between £100,000 and £150,000 for the Department of Tourism.

A TTXGP race would have cost the department up to £195,000, he added.

Mr Quayle was responding to a question from Peel MHK Tim Crookall.

Originally from: BBC

Zero Charges Forward: Electric motorcycle company hires top talent from BuellZero Motorcycles, the little electric motorcycle manufacturer that could, has announced the hiring of former Buell Vice President of Engineering Abe Askenazi. Coming off of a 14-year stretch with Buell, Askenazi will no doubt bring a level of experience and insight to Zero beyond its years. With funding at an all time high and the obvious future in electric vehicles, the transition from combustion to current should be rewarding for both Askenazi and Zero. Click past the break to view the complete press release.

Source: Auto Blog

In a shocking move the Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure (DTL) has announced on Jan 28, 2010 that while there will be a clean emissions race at the 2010 TT, that race will not be run by TTXGP (eGrandPrix). Instead it will be named ‘TT Zero’ and will be run by ACU Events Ltd, using the latest FIM regulations. Describing TTXGP Ltd. as the promotor of the 2009 event, it’s announced TTXGP will not be involved and instead the DTL will be the promotor just as they handle promotion of the other TT races.

TT Zero will feature riders who are also competing in the other TT classes. The one-lap race will be open to clean emission motorcycles and will take place on Wednesday, June 9th, at 4.30pm, following the Royal London 360 Superstock and Supersport Races. Regulations and entry forms are expected to be posted on the Isle of Man TT website on Jan 29. The Isle of Man Government has also created a £10,000 prize fund for the first TT Zero Race team to record a 100mph lap. The winning bike in last years race recorded a lap time of 25 minutes 53.5 seconds (87.434mph).

More: Examiner

By now you’ve surely read about MotoCzysz’s new eDD and it’s “suitcase” chassis design. Recently Asphalt & Rubber got a chance to take a peak into the Portland, Oregon based company’s service bay and take a closer look at the 2009 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, with a specific interest in its quick-release swappable batteries and unique chassis design. We’ll be covering these innovations in a two-part series, starting today with a never before seen look at the MotoCzysz battery packs. More and photos from Peter Lombardi Kustom Photography after the jump.

As the only bike to arrive at the Isle of Man with swappable battery packs, the MotoCzysz E1pc was the only bike at the TTXGP that seemed capable of the presumed switch to a two-lap race in 2010, which would allow for racers to pit and exchange spent batteries for fresh ones. While the design certainly would have proved a benefit had the organizers of TTXGP had their way, the real purpose of the E1pc’s quick-release batteries was to aid in on-track research and development.

Source: Asphalt & Rubber