Triumph Reveals More Details of the TE-1 Electric Motorcycle Project

Triumph announces the completion of phase 2 of Project TE-1 with the reveal of the battery and powertrain prototype and the first design concept drawings.

The Triumph TE-1 electric motorcycle project was first announced in May 2019. The aim of the TE-1 project is to develop an electric motorcycle with integrated innovative solutions. Speaking of the project, Project TE-1 is supported and funded by the UK Government’s Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles (OZEV).  Triumph Motorcycles is not alone in this project. The project is a collaboration between Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG, at the University of Warwick.

Speaking of the latest update, the Hinckley brand proudly announces the completion of Phase 2 of the project and reveals the details of the battery and powertrain prototype, initial high-level performance results, and the first design concept drawings.

As for the key achievements of the project so far, Triumph says the test results show significant innovation in mass, battery technology, and powertrain performance that exceeds the target set by the UK Automotive Council for 2025. For more details on the results, please check out the updates from the relevant parties below.

“The completion of Phase 2, and the promising results achieved to date, provide an exciting glimpse of the potential electric future and showcase the talent and innovation of this unique British collaboration. Without a doubt, the outcome of this project will play a significant part in our future efforts to meet our customer’s ambition and desire to reduce their environmental impact and for more sustainable transportation,” says Nick Bloor, Triumph CEO.

PROJECT TE1 PHASE 2 UPDATES: BATTERY AND POWERTRAIN PROTOTYPE

WILLIAMS ADVANCED ENGINEERING (WAE)

Dyrr Ardash, Senior Commercial Manager, Williams Advanced Engineering:

“We are delighted to be working on this project, working to deliver next-generation battery technology and control systems. Within the current landscape, most electric motorcycle technology arguably delivers compromised performance at low levels of battery charge. By using a lightweight, compact solution we have been able to give the rider all of the performance all of the time (regardless of battery charge), and a class-leading range. We have focussed on pushing the boundaries to reduce mass and optimise frame position to benefit handling. We have also pushed the limits of battery performance, balancing the design for acceleration and range, with simulations modelled on track-based riding. In other words, as aggressive as possible.”

“The energy density of this new battery will be a significant step forward from existing technology giving the rider more power, for longer. WAE has also designed and developed an electronic control unit from the ground-up combining the battery management system with the bike control functions in one package. This is a first for this market, benefiting packaging and integration whilst optimising performance and range.” 

INTEGRAL POWERTRAIN LTD.’S E-DRIVE DIVISION

Andrew Cross, Chief Technical Officer at Integral Powertrain Ltd: 

“One of the most influential factors in how well a motorcycle handles and performs is mass, so at Integral Powertrain we have focused heavily on making a step-change in motor and inverter design, removing heavy high voltage cables for example. This delivers a product that is significantly more compact and lighter than anything currently available on the market. The motor produces 130kW or almost 180 horsepower, but weighs only 10 kilograms, much lighter than existing technology and clearly a small fraction of the mass of traditional internal combustion engines.”

“The silicon carbide switch technology in our new scalable integrated inverter will help set new standards in terms of electric motorcycle efficiency; application of this technology means a lighter weight overall with significantly more performance and range. In parallel, we have a very strong focus on design for manufacture and assembly activity, so that all this high motor and inverter performance can be offered cost-effectively. Ultimately, this is really going to be an industry-leading powertrain that will help define the future of electric mobility. With the TE-1 project, we are proud to be part of this landmark project for British industry.”  

 WMG, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

Truong Quang Dinh, Assistant Professor of Energy Management and Control Systems at WMG, University of Warwick:

“Our creation of initial computer-based simulation models at the start of Phase 1 has been instrumental in ensuring that the component selection was appropriate to achieve the performance targets defined by the partners for the TE-1 Prototype. We have continued with this work across Phase 2 of the project, refining the models to a much more complex level to allow us and the partners to imitate further components on the bike such as braking, throttle, lighting and other systems and mimic real-world riding to provide development opportunities before components were fully designed. Additionally, we have created a physical rig wired with all of the control units, in order to implement a design validation test programme to ensure the function of each section was within the allowable range.”

 

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES

Steve Sargent, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer:

“The starting point for us in the TE-1 project was to gather important customer feedback about what riders really want from their motorcycles and understand how an electric motorcycle can provide the experience that riders desire. This includes considering the type of riding, range, feel and nature of power and torque delivery together with the ergonomics and bike controls. Taking all of this feedback into consideration we began the chassis design, focusing on bringing everything together on the TE-1 Prototype in a way that provides a riding experience that is exciting and new but ultimately familiar.”

“We have begun to define the powertrain and battery interaction through the use of software refinement to deliver an exhilarating power delivery and throttle response, which provides great control and feels intuitive to the rider. Overall with the styling, we wanted to create something that is fresh and exciting but a natural evolution of the Triumph brand. Something desirable in its own right, with distinctive Triumph DNA and definitely not something that is different just for the sake of being different.”

“Pulling all of this together with the partners we are thrilled to see the progress of such an exciting demonstration vehicle which incorporates the cutting-edge technology needed to guide the strategy for the future roadmap of electric motorcycles from Triumph. The team are proud to be leading such an innovative, strong and dynamic project with a fantastic group of partners which ultimately should set British engineering and design rightly at the forefront of future 2 wheel design.”

 

What we think

We think the design concept drawing of the Project TE-1 prototype and the results look phenomenal.  At a glance, we can tell the TE-1 follows Triumph’s Speed Triple DNA. With the popularity of electric motorcycles increasing slowly, Triumph Motorcycles getting into the electric two-wheeler market is a bold move for the brand and we just can’t wait to hear more updates on this project!

Source: Triumph Motorcycles