Norton and Moto Cycz are both working on a bona fide technology that will bring electrics on the scene. Its all about efficiency. A well powered electric will stomp an ICE any day. Smooth.
I'd love to have an electric bike. The range is starting to become useful. If charge times decrease with range increasing, it could be a really potent and fun weapon for the twisties.
Id love to have one. I got to ride a prototype Ducati electric bike around the block at a dealer about 5 years ago it was way fun. They must be just great by now. An added plus is the company I work for has electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot that They pay for. Sweet.
Thanks for those videos. Since most of my riding is just short jaunts, an electric bike would do just nicely. I really like the idea of filling up the battery with electrons at home.
Electric motors don't really need transmissions like gasoline motors, due to the constant torque. The Chevy Volt and Tesla Roadster both will do 100mph without issue, without a transmission.
A person can ride a liter-bike all day long in second gear from 0 to 100 mph, but it isn't ideal.
The torque output of an electric motor isn't constant. It declines as RPMs increase due to electrical resistance. An electric powertrain can benefit from a transmission just as an ICE. It just doesn't need nearly as many gears due to the prodigious torque you mentioned.