Zapp Electric Vehicles (Zapp EV) is set to debut its first model – the i300 high performance electric city bike – at Goodwood Festival of Speed. The first public outing for the i300 will include a run up the iconic Goodwood Hill on June 23rd, where it will showcase the innovative design and motorbike-like levels of performance that set it apart from other electric city bikes.
British company Zapp EV is on a mission to redefine the EV motorcycle segment, the run up the Goodwood hill for the i300 marks the beginning of its exciting journey. The i300 is the first in a suite of high-performance electric motorcycle products to come, each of which are designed and engineered to engage and thrill the rider in their appropriate environment.
Run by a team of experts from the motorbike and automotive industries, for its debut product, the i300, Zapp EV has evaluated what the urban rider needs – then looked at the very best materials and tech – to create something unique for those who don’t want to sacrifice fun on the daily commute or urban ride.
As a result, the i300 boasts motorbike levels of performance but in a step-though silhouette, combining ease of use with exhilaration and thrill.
Unlike other electric city bikes, the i300 is built around a unique exoskeleton architecture and is powered by an advanced British electric motor, which enables it to match the acceleration figures of performance motorcycles. Its lightweight alloy and composite bodywork bring total weight down to just 92kg (without batteries), while its interior permanent magnet (IPM) electric motor and carbon fibre belt drive accelerate the i300 to 30mph in 2.2s and onto its L3e-A2 limited top speed of 60mph in 4.8s.
With 14kW of peak power and a breath-taking 587Nm of torque at the rear wheel, the i300 offers best-in-class performance. Redefining how a city bike should look and ride, the i300 features pre-load and rebound adjustable pushrod rear suspension via a single-sided rear swing arm, upside-down front forks, full floating cross drilled front disk, four-piston radial mounted caliper, dual-channel ABS, and ultra-low-profile tyres.
Zapp EV didn’t set out just to make the best-riding electric city bike, it has also addressed the issues of range and charging anxiety experienced by would-be EV owners by developing an innovative double battery system. Fitted as standard on all i300 models are two attractive, easily accessible, ultra-compact portable premium LiNMC battery packs.
Weighing just 6kg each and offering a range of 60km*, they can be charged 20-80% via any standard 110/240v domestic socket in under 40 minutes, negating the need to seek out public charge points. With the average European city commute being less than 20kms a day round trip, the i300 is perfect for the urban warrior. Additional battery packs, home chargers and travel chargers are also available for purchase.
*based on WMTC
Zapp EV CEO Swin Chatsuwan said: “The Zapp EV i300 isn’t just another electric commuter, it’s a high-performance city bike designed to satisfy the needs of both serious motorcyclists and new riders alike. It is not only high-technology but also accessible and great value-for-money.
“It’s been an incredible journey to date, from the initial concepts of what a performance city bike could be right through to selecting and designing every component. To be able to showcase the finished bike here at Goodwood is an amazing opportunity for an emerging British company like ours and I’m really excited for everyone to see our bike up close.”
Zapp EV offers a wide range of personalisation options for i300. This year, six iconic British colours are offered for the front fender and three seat colours. These are also uniquely swappable. Other premium options include: diamond cut alloy wheels, other wheel colours, and other industry firsts: bodywork in NONA-carbon composite, NONA-natural composite, ocean recycled plastic; modular-interchangeable under-seat storage, and a range of other on-vehicle options and matching personal accessories. Altogether, with more than 2.5 million possible combinations, the i300 has been designed to embrace customer individuality.
The i300 can be purchased directly through Zapp EV’s e-commerce platform: zappev.com, with four versions to choose from:
- i300 Carbon Launch Edition (nona-carbon composite bodywork, from £7,995)
- i300 Carbon (nona-carbon composite bodywork, from £6,995)
- i300 Bio (nona-natural composite bodywork, from £6,995)
- i300 Ocean (ocean recycled plastic, from £5,750)
Zapp EV operates an advanced direct-to-customer (DTC) experience called DSDTC (Drop-ship-direct-to-customer): once a customer orders their i300 online, it is then conveniently delivered directly to their home by “Zappers” in dedicated and liveried green plug-in hybrid (PHEV) service vans. Zappers also provide at-home inspection and support throughout vehicle ownership.
As part of Zapp EV’s full-stack e-commerce platform, customers will have access to highly competitive leasing and insurance solutions on a one-stop-shop basis, providing access to i300’s from as little as £99 per month and with a low deposit.
In addition to its appearance at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Zapp EV will soon announce dates where prospective customers can get up close to the i300, and book test rides at standalone boutiques and pop-up stores in London, New York, Paris, Milan, Seoul and Bangkok.
