Super Slick e-Motorcycle Charges The Market

Responding to growing demand for low-emission, efficient personal transport, Brammo introduces its latest ride, the Enertia e-Bike. The electric motorcycle has a range of 45 miles, charges in three hours with a standard wall socket and a top speed of just over 50 mph. Powered by a 13 kW motor, it probably would disappoint those who like the pavement-rumbling, ear-bleeding roar of a Harley.

So technically, it's adequate for the average commute, provided it doesn't involve freeways. And at a price of $11,995, you better have a job if you're considering one of these. To be fair, it's in line with the average cost of a new motorcycle and U.S. consumers can knock 10% off through rebates, but just seems kind of high for something with limited range.

The bike itself is an impressive, eco-friendly machine that goes from zero to 30 mph in 3.8 seconds. So it's no slouch, but a lot slower than a racing version of the bike that averaged 75.3 mph in a promotional all-electric bike race. And while most gasoline-powered motorcycles get roughly double the efficiency of the average car, the Enertia e-bike is nearly five times as efficient. It doesn't use gas, of course, so it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges, but you get the point.

Best Buy began selling the bikes at a store in Portland, Ore., as part of a test to gauge consumer interest earlier this week. But the bike will be sold nationwide soon after. A product search on Best Buy's web site failed to find the bike among its product lines, but perhaps it's too early. Anxious early adopters can reserve a bike on Brammo's web site, however.

Perhaps the Enertia motorcycle, ironically, will start drawing criticism for being too quiet, as has happened with the silent Toyota Prius. Or maybe someone will start selling artificial motorcycle sounds to maintain that bad boy (or bad girl) image.