The collaboration between Triumph Motorcycles, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd. and WMG at the University of Warwick, funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK, was set up to create developments in specialist electric motorcycle engineering. The collaboration stage of the TE-1 project has officially ended with the completion of a prototype demonstrator, which is now fully ready for the next Triumph-led stage of the project to begin: the live testing program.

The companies say the prototype demonstrator features:

• Triumph: final chassis (including frame, rear sub-frame, cockpit, panels and wheels), final drive system (including transmission and Gates Carbon belt drive), electronics, Öhlins USD cartridge forks, unique prototype Öhlins RSU, Brembo M50 monobloc calipers and Triumph motorcycle control software.
• Williams Advanced Engineering: final iteration of prototype WAE battery pack incorporating dedicated cell packaging for optimal center of gravity, vehicle control unit, DCDC converter, integrated cooling, charge port and styled carbon covers.
• Integral Powertrain: final prototype powertrain with scalable integrated inverter and combined motor with silicon carbide switching technology and integrated cooling.
• WMG, University of Warwick: final pre-live trial simulation completed, with all results indicating that the project is on course to deliver the intended performance and durability outcomes.
• Key project achievements during this phase include test results that exceed current benchmarks and targets set by the U.K. Automotive Council for 2025, providing a platform with great potential for future development in electric motorcycle performance.

The companies say the overall objective of the TE-1 project has been focused on developing electric motorcycle capability to provide an input into Triumph’s future electric motorcycle offering, driving innovation, capability and new intellectual property, and enhancing the credibility and profile of British industry and design.

With the completion of the prototype demonstrator, the full live testing phase of the TE-1 project can now begin (phase four). Over the next six months, the companies say the prototype demonstrator will begin live testing within Triumph’s facilities. At the completion of the live testing phase, estimated to be Summer 2022, the prototype demonstrator will be updated with its final body panels and paint scheme in preparation for active track demonstration and media engagement.