A sunny day with the Energica Eva (2017)

This is a translation of my 2017 blog, about my first electric motorcycle experience.

Thanks to EC rent (first Tesla rental of The Netherlands, not in existence anymore) and Electric Motorcycles, I was able to drive the Energica Eva for a day. Marchel (founder of EM) parked his bus at Amstel Station and had the Energica motorbike ready when I arrived by bike.

He briefly went through the tech specs of the machine with me, showed me the menus, demonstrated the reverse drive mode (!) and other details. Then he drove on to make a delivery to Zeeland (south of The Netherlands).

I had a coffee date scheduled. When I arrived at Coffee Bru's (Amsterdam Oost) terrace, I was still recovering from the extraordinary first kilometre. The weight and the regenerative breaking took some getting used to.

Earlier experiences

I have tried and tested many electric vehicles before 2017, ever since taking part in the 2013 Amsterdam Electric Rally with my mate Hugo I was hooked. That same day I signed up for car2go (called ShareNow in 2021). The first years I drove almost daily. Partly because of the incredible policy at the time: connect a car2go that has <30% battery to the charging station and get twenty minutes for free.

There are so many wonderful developments this year (remember, we’re still in 2017) too. This summer I rode through Amsterdam for the first time on the Urbee. I flew past everyone, nice and fast, good “turbo”, this is exactly what you want. Even with my own broken bike in hand, I could overtake many people riding regular bikes. Got me some crazy looks from the pavement! You’re so quick at the traffic lights, what a party. In Berlin, I signed up for Coup (nowadays: TIER), new electric scooters that feel ultra small because of the extremely low model. You have to wear a helmet, but they’re so fast. Wonderful.

Amsterdam recently started a pilot with felyx. You fly, even with two people without a helmet, with 28km/h through the streets. Extremely comfortable, a conversation with your passenger remains possible because you are sitting close to each other without even the slightest form of noise pollution. You are not tied to return trips. Even my father has recently started using it to his complete satisfaction. Highly recommended! (Nowadays, 2021: lots has changed, new competitors in town, plus helmets and no more riding in the bike lane).

Back to the Energica Eva adventure. I offered my date a ride, not assuming that she would dare to sit on the back. But before I knew it, we had passed Durgerdam (north of Amsterdam).

To the beach

Winding along the dike, what strikes most is the smoothness. In the BMW i3 I learned of the principle of one pedal driving, read this piece to find out more. The Energica Eva has a number of different modes. I used medium, which means that once you really let go of the throttle, a strong regenerative brake kicks in. This recovers energy, and you zoom ever slower towards the red traffic light without having to do anything. I often ride along the dyke here, but with my own classic Honda TransAlp. One of my co-drivers pointed out to me that the locals don't appreciate motorbikes very much. The nice thing about riding along with the Energica Eva is that you know that nobody is bothered by you. Of course, there is some hum and whine from the chain, but not on the scale of a roaring petrol motorbike.

On the dike, many people are cycling, it is a beautiful day late in September. When we ride past, you sometimes see a man look up, but many cyclists don't notice that we have been near them. It feels great to ride around on this green monster. Because my passenger hardly knows the Netherlands, I take her to the town of Edam. Ideal moment for a little electric motorbike photo shoot. Below, the result.

In the direction of Castricum beach, pulling wide open; what an experience! There is no need to change gear, hardly any need to brake (manually). After speeding up to 30km/h, gradually even more power seems to become available. It hits your stomach. Combined with the barely-there futuristic sounds, it sets a mood that is easy to enjoy. Motorcycling can be hard work, but that is not the case on the Eva.

We are not really close to Amsterdam, and partly due to some nice sprints, the battery has dropped below 50% SoC (State of Charge). I'm pretty sure we can make it home with that amount of energy, but it doesn't feel relaxed to risk it and there's no hurry. Looking for a place to charge I drive past a Van der Valk hotel where the wrong plug is offered (really a CHAdeMO only spot in 2017?), a pity.

On to a new Fastned location then! The sun is sinking fast, creating beautiful skies along the way.

Heading Home

On to Amsterdam! Once I have filled up with electrons, I can let go of the reins on the way back. At the traffic lights, let's see how fast we can go, accelerate after roundabouts, I have been on the road for a few hours now and am getting the hang of the Energica Eva. It is incomparable to my old TransAlp and at the same time it is still the same wonderfully free feeling. But without the typical sound of gear shifting or the combustion engine.

Of course you can miss that, I also like (used to love!) roaring engines. But just as I now laugh at how much I enjoyed the sound of my scooters years and years ago, I can get used to a zoof, zoof (or whirring chain) traversing the landscape smoothly.

19kW average charging speed!

After dropping off my passenger and looking at the clock, I know that Marchel will be picking up the motorbike soon. I have been away all day, unplanned, but with a passenger. The Energica Eva is screaming for another ride alone. I am looking for the one option in the menu that still needs to be tested. Sports mode.

Nothing changes externally. The sound is no different, the brakes behave the same, I think. But that power. I ride in the direction of IJburg (east of Amsterdam) and briefly turn onto the A10 four lane ring road. (Normally I’m not very fond of highways and motorbikes).

What happens next feels like a movie. Giving it a few good thrusts without holding back, the screen in front of me lights up in multiple colours to indicate that all powers are unleashed. I am flying. Fortunately, the Energica Eva weighs 260kgs and I stick to the asphalt. But otherwise.

Thank you Marchel, Electric Motorcycles for this incredible day on two wheels. And Fastned for the wonderful network to get home quickly!

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