In recent years, electric motorcycle projects have emerged from all parts of the world. Not surprisingly, startups were the first to adopt/adapt the latest iterations of electric motorcycle technology. Some have certainly been better than others in producing real and usable models; think of Zero and Energica, for example.
While combustion motorcycle manufacturers seem to have hesitated, many others, sometimes with more passion than resources, have been more than eager to enter the market.
There was Alta and Brammo; then Cake, Curtiss, and Ola Electric; and now Dust.Moto, Stark Future, and Ultraviolette. Some of them have fared better than others at the time of writing this article. Furthermore, we know that this very incomplete list doesn’t even begin to include all existing companies.
So, let’s add one more; this time, from France. It’s called J2R Dynamics and is the brainchild of a former business and data analyst from the video game industry. It’s very fitting, it’s called Smol. And honestly, if we saw this design without any context, the first thing that would likely come to mind wouldn’t be a video game, would it?
It’s simple, it’s elegant, it’s modern, and it’s organized. The concept and description of the design uses an 8 kW engine and is comparable to a 125 cc combustion motorcycle in terms of power, while it should offer a maximum speed of 110 km/h.
It is powered by one or two 4 kWh batteries; if equipped with the option of two batteries, J2R aims to have a range of about 150 kilometers. As with all electric vehicles, range is extremely subjective, as it can be affected by factors such as headwinds, inclines, driving pace, and so on. Additionally, manufacturers can often be overly optimistic.
But basically, it is a small and simple electric motorcycle, with a narrow and flat seat design that resembles a dirt bike.