10:39 AM |
Author: EmerGence
By K.M. LEW
PETALING JAYA: The electric motorcycle must meet the basic standard dimensions of a petrol-powered motorcycle, including its length and the size of its wheels, for it to be registered with the Road Transport Department (JPJ). JPJ director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said the vehicle must also be equipped with headlights, signal lights and brake lights, adding: “The braking system must be of a certain mark as it will be used on public roads.
“While such motorcycles are not expected to be occupying the fast lane, it cannot be too slow either as that could obstruct traffic flow and endanger the rider,” he said yesterday.
The Star recently reported that electric motorcycles were set to hit Malaysian roads as early as the first quarter of next year.
This is following the amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987 to exempt the vehicle having to register the engine and chassis numbers with JPJ.
The amendments are up for second reading in Parliament and will be debated at policy stage in the middle of next month.
At present, Modenas and Eclimo Sdn Bhd are ready to assemble electric motorcycles.
Modenas, the national motorcycle company, will offer the 1kw-powered motorcycle, currently referred to as CTRIC, which uses five sealed lead acid gel batteries and can hit a maximum speed of 110kph and travel up to 65km on a single charge. Its selling price is expected to be below RM5,000.
Eclimo will offer Penan, a scooter that uses the more expensive lithium-ion polymer battery pack which it claims will offer a similar performance to a 125cc petrol-powered motorcycle.
The scooter will be able to travel up to 120km at an average speed of 50kph while the battery can be recycled at the end of its life span of about 100,000km. It is expected to be priced slightly above RM10,000.
Both companies said their motorcycles had undergone several private tests with encouraging results.
Solah said the motorcycles would be evaluated by the department’s Vehicle Type Committee to test their roadworthiness.
A licence was also needed to ride the motorcycle, he said, adding: “It is after all, similar to the petrol-powered motorcycle, so you need a valid licence to ride it on public roads.”
Category:
National
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