AUSSIE ELECTRIC
Savic Motorcycles is expecting to deliver 230 new electric motorcycles to customers in 2024, the start of a process of building a brand that will tap into the technologies of the future.
Savic is both the surname of the founder, Dennis Savic, and the name of his West Melbourne tech start-up dedicated to building zero-carbon bikes for a world market. It was back in 2016 when Savic Motorcycles was established — since then its prototype machines and the technology the company has produced have continued to attract further investment from the private sector and government.
Indeed, the C-Series machine, which started being delivered to customers just after this issue of Australian Road Rider went to press, has won several design awards and attracted grant funding from both the Australian government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and tax incentives from the Victorian government. It has full ADR approval.
THE C-SERIES
Savic Motorcycles has produced six prototypes of its flagship machine, which boasts a 16.2kWh lithium-ion battery producing 60kW (approximately 80hp) of power and over 200Nm of torque. The company is also working on a lower-powered variant, the C-Series Delta, with a 14.2kWh battery outputting 40kW and over 140Nm. The two bikes have been developed on Savic Motorcycles’ proprietary SM1 production platform, which will be able to scale its modular battery, motor and inverter technologies for two-wheelers of varying sizes and performance capabilities.
An electric bike with a top speed of around 170km/h, 200km range and can be charged from a conventional power point while costing just $26,990, sounds like a very interesting package to the crew here at ARR, no matter where it’s been built. Known as the Alpha, it produces 60kW from its 16.2kWh lithium-ion battery. For more urban-based riders, the forthcoming Delta models will have a smaller battery — about two-thirds of the performance and range, at a price of $19,990.
The C-Series houses an advanced edge-computing platform, which enables reliable cellular connectivity, IoT (Internet of Things) features such as continuous performance monitoring, remote diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and connected vehicle apps for rider experience, safety and security.
The vehicle also provides a versatile charging setup, which removes the need for any special equipment at home. “Anywhere you can charge a phone, you can charge your bike too,” explains Dennis. “Our motorcycles come with an adaptor that plugs straight into a wall outlet, or you charge at a faster rate on a Level 2 charger. These are popping up in a lot of new residential apartments, shopping centres, hotels and gyms.”
DENNIS SAVIC
The founder of the company, like so many tech innovators before him, is young, smart and driven to succeed. He is still in his early 30s, but was showing off the early prototypes of the C-Series while still in his mid-20s.
“It’s a very exciting space to be playing in,” says Dennis. “There are few markets where the technology is mature enough to be reliable, accessible and at a good price point, while not yet being saturated. We see new contemporaries coming on board and starting their own manufacturing within Australia every year. Australia has the technology base, the skill sets, the equipment and personnel. We’re proud to be producing new ideas, concepts and products on our shores.
“The fact that the government is behind rideable technology is great,” continues Dennis. “We’ve felt the support and are confident that it will continue — not just for our company, but for our customers — to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in future. Australia is at a tipping point and anyone with their finger on the pulse will see a bright future for EVs in this country and across the region.”
SAVIC MOTORCYCLES PRODUCTION MILESTONES
2014: Dennis Savic graduates from the University of WA and completes his final year project on the design of an electric motorcycle.
2015: Dennis sells his car and starts with the modification of a Yamaha R1 to run on battery electric power.
2016: The first design and vehicle build concept is completed and the company publicly launches as DSAV2.
2017: Dennis moves from Perth to Melbourne to set up manufacturing, completing his first capital raise.
2018: DSAV2 rebrands to Savic Motorcycles with the public launch of the MK1 prototype at the Melbourne Moto Expo, built from the ground up with an off-the-shelf powertrain.
2019: The growing Savic Motorcycles team designs, manufactures and launches the MK2 prototype, the first prototype with a proprietary custom powertrain.
Q2 2020: The company receives VC funding and the team designs and builds the MK3, the production representative prototype.
Q3 2020: Savic Motorcycles leases its first official headquarters, which will become the manufacturing facility in West Melbourne.
Q1 2021: Despite significant supply chain challenges presented by COVID, the team successfully sources and tests all major prototype components.
Q4 2021: Savic Motorcycles closes another capital raise, including a major government grant, and successfully road tests the C-Series prototype, as well as on-boarding a full-time leadership team.
Q2 2022: The company builds two production representative prototypes for further road tests.
Q3 2022: Savic Motorcycles finalises custom ABS testing and development with Bosch Australia.
Q4 2022: Final ADR compliance is approved and issued by the Federal government and the first-ever Savic Motorcycles C-Series is registered for Australian roads.
2023: Pilot production and testing schedule commences.
Q1 2024: Testing schedule finalised, first customer deliveries commence.
Q2 2024: National Test Ride Tour commences.
