Motorsport

New Zealand Defense Force tests out UBCO 2X2 electric bikes

Michelle Liew

July 28, 2020

The Kiwi military is expanding its horizon to electric bikes.

UBCO 2X2 | Photo credits: Ride Apart

The New Zealand military might be going in action with style with the new UBCO 2X2 battery bike. Through its efforts on making operations more sustainable, New Zealand’s Defense Force has taken the initiative to adopt electric motorcycles.

Stemming from farm use, the UBCO 2X2 was originally a modern substitute for the classic “agriculture bike”. The two-wheel bike features an air-cooled, brushes, DC 1kW-motor in each wheel hub. This is powered by UBCO’s Portage battery system- a 48 Ah-rated, 50-volt lithium-ion power pack designed to recharge tools and devices and to power the 2X2 bike. It lasts about 120 kilometres (75 miles) and recharging takes about 6 to 8 hours.

“They are quiet, don’t give off exhaust or heat, and aren’t powered by highly flammable liquids.” Gallop also said the new bikes will be simple to maintain, with lower training requirements than a standard motorcycle,” says Lieutenant Colonel Brad Gallop. The bike comes to an advantage compared to the gas-powered bikes.

Photo credits: Stuff.co.nz

Photo credits: World Defense News

New Zealand’s army, navy, and air force are assessing the UBCO bikes through 2020 through trial.

“I think technology has changed dramatically over the last five years. We need to look at alternative sources. EV is an emerging technology that we need to look at and to see how applicable it is on the battlefield,” says Gallop as quoted from Electrek.

We are doing a detailed evaluation of EV bikes. We’re looking for an alternate energy patrol bike, particularly for reconnaissance and surveillance but it has many other applications.

I think this is about understanding emerging technologies and where it fits in the NZDF construct. I was talking to the team around what emerging technology we can take a look at. Our location in the world means that we have to come up with quite adaptive technologies.”

The UBCO 2X2 is certainly a step towards a modern approach. With New Zealand taking the lead, there is no doubt that other countries will be intrigued by the idea.