Triumph Completes Phase 4 of TE-1 Electric Bike Project
Electric bikes seem to be cropping up all over the place recently. Not to be outdone, Triumph has just reached a significant milestone on its own electric journey.
Triumph has completed the TE-1 electric development project. Carried out in collaboration with electrification experts, academia, and the UK government, the project seeks to push the envelope on electric motorcycles’ capabilities.
With the completion of the project, Triumph has now developed a final prototype of the electric bike. The motorcycle has been tested and the test results are in.
Let’s see what this bike is capable of.
Speed Triple-Worthy Performance
The TE-1 bike’s testing phase wrapped up in mid-July. According to Triumph, the motorcycle exceeded the collaborators’ expectations.
Being the first step in our journey towards developing our future approach to electric powertrain technology, the TE-1 prototype and the incredible results it has achieved in its intensive testing program has provided crucial insights and capabilities that will ultimately guide our future development,” said Steve Sargent, Triumph Motorcycles chief product officer.
The TE-1 prototype achieved a 100-mile range, thanks to regenerative braking and an improved motor generator unit and transmission. Triumph claims the range exceeds the real-world distances equivalent electric motorcycles can achieve.
Some electric bikes—like Energica Experia with 160 miles—do beat the TE-1’s range. That said, Triumph wasn’t clear on which machines it was comparing the prototype with.
In performance, the TE-1 delivers similar results as the current Speed Triple 1200. The TE-1’s motor pout out 175 hp and a peak torque of 80 lb-ft. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds—better than the Speed Triple.
“The throttle response on the TE-1 is kind of incredible, it’s very torquey and when you first touch the throttle, it’s instant power, which is obviously what I love as a motorcycle racer,” said Daytona 200 champion Brandon Paasch who took the TE-1 on test rides.
Lightning-Fast Charging
A potentially groundbreaking advancement with the TE-1 is the claimed charge time. According to Triumph, the bike uses new battery and charging technologies developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering. As a result, the bike boasts a 20-minute charge time from 0-80% battery.
The bike is also up to a quarter lighter than comparable electric motorcycles. Weighing only 485 pounds, it has the size and comfort of a Speed Triple, but nowhere near the same weight.
In handling, the bike matches Triumph’s current triple-cylinder machines. It has neutral handling characteristics and a smooth, predictable torque delivery that aid in handling.
“I wish I’d had this at Daytona, [with] that acceleration in this chassis, and how it corners. I think this would be a really nice motorcycle to ride on the street, just based on how nimble and agile it is, and how light it feels,” said Paasch.
The TE-1 won’t be available on the market, as the project’s aim was to advance current electric bike technology instead of producing a bike for sale. That said, we can absolutely expect to see the advancements of the TE-1 project in future bikes.
“The final production motorcycle will not be exactly what you see here today, but rest assured, the models we do develop will encompass all its learnings and its exciting dynamic spirit,” said Sargent.
We’re excited to see what Triumph will do with its new tech.