Empulse pre-orders

[Phantom]

They stated they take the $1000 non refunable deposit 3mths prior to expected bike delivery date.

Anyone been asked for their deposits yet?

No, not yet. This will be HUGE news on this forum when it happens. We are all hoping it will be soon as many of us are expecting deliveries to be made in the summer of this year.

[protomech]

Pricing on a 20 kwh model would be stupid right now at retail $1000/kwh. Actual cell cost seems to float between $300-500/kwh depending on whose numbers you believe.. I figure as the bikes are produced in volume we'll see retail pricing on the large packs drop down closer to actual material costs. A 2015 Empulse 20.0 kwh might look something like 200 wh/kg pack, 520 lbs, 80 kw motor, $14-15k retail pricing.

Couple things to note here:

Tesla's Model S pricing is pretty interesting: 40 kwh, 60 kwh, 85 kwh models are available, as well as an 85 kwh (nominal?) performance model.

Considering the non-performance models, each tier costs an additional $10k. Assuming that Tesla's battery costs are AT MOST equal to pricing, then the 40 to 60 kwh upgrade is $500/kwh, and the 60 to 85 kwh upgrade is $400/kwh.

There's much more at play in determining pricing for different pack sizes beyond just the cell costs (and design considerations may drive the selection of a cell that is more expensive per kwh), but the next generation of bikes after the Empulse and 2012 Zeros should offer significantly larger packs with a smaller upgrade cost (currently $1000/kwh and $960/kwh respectively).

DOE Secretary Dr. Steven Chu suggests that we will see costs for a 40 mile PHEV battery (say the 16 kwh Chevy Volt?) drop from $12k in 2008 to $3600 in 2015 and $1500 in 2020. That's $750/kwh in 2008 down to $225/kwh in 2015 and < $100/kwh in 2020.

Overall, the Department of Energy is partnering with industry to reduce the manufacturing cost of advanced batteries.  While a typical battery for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a 40-mile electric range cost $12,000 in 2008, we’re on track to demonstrate technology by 2015 that would reduce the cost to $3,600.  And last year, we set a goal of demonstrating technology by 2020 that would further reduce the cost to $1,500 – an accomplishment that could help spur the mass-market adoption of electric vehicles.

We live in interesting times!

[Richard230]

We live in interesting times indeed!

Just consider how long the technology of the lead-acid battery stayed the same for well over a hundred years and now battery capacity seems to be doubling every few years - with no end in sight.  The only irritating thing for the consumer is that when you buy a new electric vehicle, the next new model will considerably outperform the one that you just bought.  Talk about depreciation!  Just think about the people who bought a $10K 2009 Zero, or a $10 2010 Zero, or a $10K 2011 Zero, every time a new version comes out, you can hardly give the older model away. 

When I went to look at the new 2012 Zero in my dealer's showroom, they had 5 new 2011 Zeros parked next to it. Let me see, should I buy a 2011 Zero, with a top speed of about 65 mph and a typical range of about 25 miles, for $10,000, or a 2012 Zero with a higher speed and two to three times the range for $11,500, or $14,000.   

 At least when you buy a Brammo, you can probably expect the design and technology to remain stable for a couple of years, thereby securing your investment for a while.  It can be a tough decision.  Do you buy now or wait for the next big improvement in the technology?

Interesting times!   

[EmpulseRider]

I really like what Zero has to offer, cool stuff but I am gonna wait for the Empulse, then Im DONE waiting. I have waited long enough. Once I get my Empulse I really do plan on keeping it for the long run, at least 5 years. I dont need to wait for improved battery technology as 100 miles is much more than I will ride 99% of the time, and when Im done riding, the bike will be plugged in and ready to go the next day. Heck I would have been set with the 8.0 but I doubt that will be an option. The wait has been a major drag, but I know it will be worth it... would love to hear something new from Brammo though *hint hint*