American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 226 May 2018 | Page 24
MOTO Campagna Unveils 100%
FUTURE Electric T-REX and Seeks
Zero Motorcycles is recalling all 2012
Zero S, Zero DS and Zero DSP (Police)
motorcycles - cell pouches in the
battery packs may wear from contact
with the holders, allowing humidity to
enter the pouch and cause an
electrical short within the battery.
Alternet Systems of Dallas, Tx.,
has announced the formation of
a new subsidiary to be called
ReVolt Electric Motorbikes to
produce Li-ion battery powered
motorcycles for US and
international markets. ReVolt
has partnered with a
manufacturing company to first
produce a motorcycle based on
the 1930s BMW R71 motorcycle
with sidecar utilized by the
German Army in WWII. The
ReVolt classic electric motorbike
with sidecar will be powered by
an electric motor utilizing an
Alternet Systems designed
lithium battery solution.
Californian lithium-ion battery
manufacturer Antigravity has had a
huge reaction to news about its new
“game changing” Re-Start battery
technology (built-in jump starting
feature thanks to what company
president Scott Schafer describes as
“intelligent on-board voltage
monitoring that puts the battery to
sleep before it is drained dead –
retaining enough reserve energy
allowing the rider to re-start and
drive away.”
As Royal Enfield continues to
spread its sales network and
product lines for European and
North American expansion, it is
reported that the company is
also making “considerable”
investments to explore “a
number of” electric motorcycle
and related concepts.
As part of its Electro Mobility
Strategy, BMW is investing € 200m
(around $250m) in a new “battery
cell competence center” that will
open in 2019 near its Munich
headquarters in Germany. Among
other objectives, the center will
harness the group’s research so far
into battery-cell development and
production, the fifth-generation
electric drivetrains (integrated electric
motor, transmission and power
electronics in a single component)
that are slated for automotive debut
in 2021, and Rare-earth-free electric
motors and components.
Battery giant GS Yuasa is
investing in a new lithium-ion
SLI (Starting, Lighting, Ignition)
battery assembly facility at
Miskolc, Hungary, using lithium-
ion cells made in Japan.
24
Additional Dealers
Campagna Motors has announced the
development of an all-electric T-REX
prototype “Reverse Trike” three-
wheeler concept.
Having previously established
successful partnerships with BMW and
Harley-Davidson to source
powerplants for its T-REX and V13R
respectively, this undertaking
consisted of integrating Zero
Motorcycles’ powertrain technology
into the chassis of the T-REX “for an
even more dynamic and unique
offering.
“The motors, batteries and controllers
have been seamlessly integrated into
the T-REX, creating a high-
performance vehicle, without the need
for gasoline.
André Morissette, President of
Campagna Motors, says that “thanks
to the hard work of our dedicated
team and partners, the T-REX has
become the benchmark for three-
wheeled performance. Our
collaboration with Zero Motorcycles
brings a whole new level of innovation
and originality to this already
exhilarating platform.”
Morissette went on to say that “Zero
is known for consistently producing
the electric vehicle industry’s most
energy and power dense battery
packs, offering more range and
performance than any production
electric motorcycle on the market.
Their advanced lithium-ion batteries
are also maintenance-free.”
For Zero, Director of Business
Development, Jim Callahan said: “We
are excited that Campagna selected
o ur industry-leading powertrain
technology to develop their electric T-
REX. “Zero’s electric powertrain is an
ideal solution for the ultimate three-
wheeled experience. This vehicle is an
absolute thrill to drive.”
The prototype was being unveiled for
the first time at the Montreal Electric
Vehicle Show; a second more
advanced prototype is planned for the
summer of 2018.
Campagna Motors was founded in
1988 in the province of Quebec,
Canada, by Daniel Campagna, who
devoted more than eight years to the
creation of the T-REX, the first
prototype being shown in 1994.
He and his company did much to
create what is now referenced as the
“Reverse Trike” market, with majors
such as Can-Am and Polaris having
entered the sector in recent years with
volume production machines.
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - MAY 2018
PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
However, Morissette has again shown
himself to be a step ahead.
With this new version and the
collaboration with Zero, Morissette
has shown that his company has
continued to innovate with a genuine
cross-over vehicle that could pull
customers from all over the
powersports and automotive radar.
He told AMD: “We are now actively
looking for dealers in the powersports
industry for selected territories in
North America. We want to develop a
network of franchised dealers that can
sell and service the vehicles and parts
and accessories.
“Our vehicle in a dealer’s showroom
would bring in a lot of high-end
customers, and these vehicles do not
compete with motorcycles; they bring
another demographic of customers,
people who want the thrill and
performance of motorcycles, but the
stability and safety of cars.”
DEALERS
WANTED
Morissette also told AMD that
his company is now ready to
appoint additional dealers
from the powersports
industry for selected
territories for the existing
gas-powered T-REX and
stunning V13R ‘Roadster’
reverse trikes. To enquire
about a Campagna Dealer
franchise, send an email to
[email protected]
www.campagnamotors.com
www.AMDchampionship.com