Although it designed an electric motorcycle, the French technology company NAWA Technologies (or quite simply NAWA), is not primarily intended to build electric vehicles, but only high-performance batteries. But perhaps they should reconsider the motorcycle market option, especially in light of the unique device they have developed. Indeed, it embeds extremely promising new technologies, particularly in terms of energy and autonomy.
The sleek, minimalist style of the NAWA Racer is the product of a collaboration with Envisage Group, which has been involved with Jaguar and other brands that want simple lines with their new technology. A highlight is the hubless rear wheel, although the machine has several charming properties, including the wraparound LED taillight.
But beyond the clean lines and the hubless rear tire of the NAWA Racer, the machine is equipped with an underlying technology which considerably increases the performances and could sign a significant advance for the performances of electric motorcycles – or the performance potential of anything that needs batteries for motive power, including electric cars.
NAWACap: a supercapacitor to power the Racer
NAWA added a supercapacitor to the Racer (NAWA calls this an “ultracapacitor”, and named its NAWACap). A supercapacitor is similar to a battery, except that it can be charged in seconds, and can then discharge that charge at an extremely high rate – far beyond what a battery can provide – for an instant increase in the power. It can also repeat this feat millions of times without substantial performance loss.
The NAWA Racer is powered by a supercapacitor allowing extremely fast charging and efficient discharge. Credits: NAWA Technologies
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NAWA is not the first company to commission a supercapacitor. The manufacturer Lamborghini integrates a supercapacitor system in its new Sián hypercar. According to information provided by NAWA, the Racer has a relatively small 9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 0.1 kWh NAWACap ultracapacitor located in the upper pod, above the pack in the frame. The inclusion of the NAWACap system has multiple advantages.
Weight, speed and autonomy: the advantages of the supercapacitor
Since it can be charged in seconds by regenerative braking (preferably) or by the Li-ion battery (or both), it is almost always ready to give an increase in power when physics exerts the greatest charge on the battery: from a complete stop or during an acceleration. NAWA claims that the Racer can go from 0 to 60 km / h in about three seconds, and reach a top speed of around 160 km / h.
The Racer’s engine produces around 100 horsepower, and NAWA says that since the supercapacitor system reduces the battery capacity needed, the Racer weighs around 150 kg – far less than some current electric motorcycles like the Zero SR / F.
In addition, the NAWACap system extends the urban range of the Racer because the engine can be smaller, lighter and have to push less weight. NAWA claims 300 km of urban autonomy, where the NAWACap system will be in its element.
The inadequacy of current lithium-ion batteries
The Lamborghini Sián and the NAWA Racer highlight both an ongoing problem and a potential elegant solution around the limits of lithium-ion batteries, which currently power just about all electric cars, hybrids, electric motorcycles, electric bikes and cell phones of the world. The problem ? Lithium-ion batteries take a relatively long time to charge.
On the same subject : New lithium-ion battery could charge electric car in just 10 minutes
In addition, they are unable to discharge energy into a transmission at a very high rate. Batteries can catch fire if they are badly damaged, and their lifespan is limited. Capacitors, which have been around for as long as electricity, have none of these problems – but there is a reason why we don’t use them as long-term energy storage yet.
A hybrid battery / supercapacitor energy source
Capacitors are not able to maintain a charge over long periods of time like a battery, and they currently have a low energy density compared to most batteries. If these problems could be resolved, they would touch the holy grail of battery technology: the semiconductor battery.
Instead of a traditional lithium-ion battery, the Racer has a hybrid battery / supercapacitor. Credits: NAWA Technologies
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A range of supercapacitors would be able to inject huge amounts of energy into a vehicle’s drive system, resulting in incredible acceleration.
But again, because they cannot withstand a load for a long time and have a low energy density, they are not yet practical for use as primary energy storage systems. NAWA’s solution with the Racer? The battery / supercapacitor hybrid.
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