The Petersen Automotive Museum’s latest exhibit will feature a multitude of the most innovative electric motorcycles ever made by cutting-edge designers. Opening to the public on April 14, 2022 in the Richard Varner Family Gallery, the unique “Electric Revolutionaries” collection is an exclusive look at the ground-breaking creations of the visionaries at the forefront of the ever-expanding electric motorcycle industry.
Highlights of the new exhibition include “KillaJoule,” the land speed racer that made Eva Hakansson the fastest woman on an electric motorcycle with a run of 240.7 mph. Built by Hakansson and her husband at home and with a limited budget, “KillaJoule” is the fastest sidecar streamliner ever, regardless of engine type. On the slower side of the spectrum are the innovative solar-powered “Solar Scooter” and “Solar Rickshaw” created by Samuel Aboagye. The Ghanaian teenager constructed both using only salvaged, discarded and recycled materials that he could source for free. Making its worldwide debut will be the intricately designed and exquisitely crafted “The One” by Curtiss Motors. Conceptualized by JT Nesbitt, “The One” features a retro-futuristic design and quality of construction usually only found on hypercars.
A follow-up to the Petersen Museum’s popular first-ever electric motorcycle exhibit, “Electric Revolution” in 2019, the new display features over 25 unique custom electric motorcycles guest curated by Motor/Cycle Arts Foundation Co-Founder Paul d’Orleans. “I’m super excited to assemble this wildly diverse collection of EV [electric vehicle] pioneers. ‘Electric Revolutionaries’ really does represent the range of interest in an electric future, from a humble teen in Ghana making EVs from scrap, to genius artisans building conceptual and boundary-pushing designs, to speed demons and global superstar designers interested in pushing mobility into the green zone,” said d’Orleans. “Electric Revolutionaries” is produced by the Motor/Cycle Arts Foundation and Sasha Tcherevkoff, with support from LiveWire and Damon Motorcycles as a contributing sponsor.
“It is incredible how far electric motorcycles have come in the short time from our first exhibit in 2019,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “This new display gives a unique and close-up look at the innovative machines and the creators behind them pushing the boundaries of motorcycle electrification and design. The detail, level of craftsmanship and unorthodox thinking behind these electric motorcycles make them must-sees.”
Other notable electric motorcycles on display include Joey Ruiter’s “NOMOTO,” which camouflages as utilitarian street furniture, and his geometric “Moto Undone” concept. Also part of the exhibit is famed motorcycle designer Walt Siegl’s ultra-minimalist “RONTU” that uses carbon fiber, aluminum and a lack of body panels to help weigh a scant 100 pounds. Hugo Eccles’ avant-garde and award-winning “XP Zero,” a radical reinterpretation of a production ZERO SR/F into a futuristic cafe racer, is also among the extensive collection of unique and innovative electric motorcycles.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, visit www.Petersen.org.
