British firm E-Motiv Shift Systems is set to unveil a new electric motorcycle demonstrator at the EICMA show in Milan, taking place from November 3 to 8. The prototype, dubbed Demo 1, features a two-speed transmission designed to shift gears without interrupting power delivery.
The technology, referred to as a seamless powershift transmission, aims to provide improved acceleration and motor efficiency. It builds upon the Zeroshift system, which was utilized in Aprilia MotoGP bikes in 2015. The project traces its roots back nearly 25 years.
The development of this electric version was supported by a £1 million grant from the UK government. The project involves a partnership between motorcycle manufacturer BSA, the University of Bath, and the Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS).
The Demo 1 motorcycle was designed by the consultancy Envisage and is currently being constructed by IAAPS. While the technology will be showcased at EICMA, it remains a development project. Real-world testing of the system is scheduled to commence in early 2027.
