Two-speed transmission unveiled for electric motorcycles
E-Motiv plans a public debut at EICMA 2026 in Milan, with initial tests on a demonstration motorcycle planned for early 2027.
British company E-Motiv Shift Systems has unveiled a two-speed transmission for electric motorcycles intended to maintain power delivery during gear changes. The company says the technology could improve acceleration and efficiency, potentially increasing riding range, but has not supplied figures for the possible gains.
The design addresses a trade-off between acceleration and maximum speed: shorter gearing favors pulling power from a standstill, while taller gearing supports higher speeds. E-Motiv says using two ratios could also help the motor spend more time operating within its most efficient range.
Its technical basis is Zeroshift, a system originally developed for internal combustion vehicles. That design uses special engagement rings so an incoming gear can start engaging before the outgoing gear stops transmitting torque. E-Motiv has adapted the principle for electric powertrains but has not detailed how its new mechanism works.
The transmission's public debut is scheduled for EICMA 2026 in Milan, which runs November 3–8. E-Motiv is also developing Demo 1, a demonstration motorcycle intended for the technology's first tests in real-world riding conditions. Initial testing is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
