The British company E-Motiv Shift Systems plans to exhibit an electric motorcycle model equipped with a two-speed gearbox at the EICMA fair in Milan. This technology allows for gear changes without interrupting power delivery, aiming to improve both acceleration and engine efficiency.
The project received an investment of £1 million from the British government and was developed in collaboration with the manufacturer BSA, the University of Bath, and the IAAPS institute.
Although most current electric motorcycles use only one gear—because their motors operate efficiently at various speeds without needing multiple transmission ratios—the E-Motiv prototype adopts a different approach. It has two gears: the first assists in achieving higher speed, and the second ensures good performance at higher speeds.
A notable aspect of this innovation is that the transition between gears occurs without power loss, a common problem in traditional motorcycles that tend to lose strength during shifting.
The project, named Demo 1 by the company itself, is still in the development phase. The construction of the prototype involves the participation of Envisage Group and the IAAPS institute, which is affiliated with the University of Bath.
E-Motiv expects to complete the motorcycle in January 2027, when testing will also begin. However, before that, the company will present the technology at EICMA 2026, a motorcycle event scheduled to take place between November 3 and 8 in Milan, Italy.
This technology has its roots in a system originally created for motorsport, having been used by the Aprilia Racing team in MotoGP. Currently, the company is focused on adapting this transmission to meet the specific requirements of electric motorcycles.


