The Luxury Bikes

Sport bike fans, hold on to your jaws. While motorcycles haven't received quite as much alternative-fuel attention as cars, since they're already reasonably efficient to begin with, the go-faster folks have turned the instant-torque benefits of electric motors to the two-wheeled world with stunning results. At this year's Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference, the newly-formed Mission Motors cycle company unveiled the Mission One, a fully electric sportbike with a top speed of 150 mph and a 150-mile range.

Taking full advantage of the electric motor's strong points, the Mission One uses a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack coupled to a liquid-cooled, three-phase AC induction motor. This motor twists out 100 pound-feet of torque from a standstill, and the Mission One channels the power through a single-speed transmission. The Mission One features an Ohlins suspension and Brembo regenerative brakes. Word is that the Mission One will put its claims to the test at the Time Trials Xtreme Grand Prix in the Isle of Man on June 12.

Mission Motors plans to put the Mission One into production. According to Autoblog, the first fifty examples will be sold as limited-edition 2010 models with a $68,995 MSRP. More realistically priced models are expected to be announced this summer.