If you keep abreast of the electric bike scene you might have come across the Johammer J1. On sale since 2014, around 60 of the odd-looking electric cruisers have been made. They aren’t fast but their distinctive styling and 200km range means they’re among the most convincing electric machines out there.
Hub-centre steering, all-enveloping bodywork and a clever chassis design that incorporates the battery and suspension into a simple aluminium box that also forms the main frame structure show clever design thinking. Interesting design touches include instruments incorporated into the mirrors on 2.4 inch screens.
However, the Austrian firm is now working on a next-generation model that will be even more radical. In fact, it will be able to power your house.
The idea is that once you’ve got a high-powered battery unit, as used in the bike, it’s a shame to leave it unused for much of the time. So Johammer’s thinking is that it could double up as a storage battery for the home of the future.
Electric car pioneer Tesla has already revealed that it will be selling its ‘Powerwall’ – a storage battery for houses that allows cheap electricity from non-peak times to be stored and used when it’s needed. The next-gen Johammer will be able to perform a similar function.
Presumably you’ll be able to plug the bike in when it’s not in use, charging its battery from the mains electricity supply. Once full, if it remains plugged in and unused, the charge in the battery can then be used to bolster your home power, or even to power it completely if the mains electricity is cut off for some reason. With 12kW in its battery, the prototype is close to the Tesla Powerwall’s 14kW, but has the added advantage of being able to be used as transport when it’s needed.
Johammer is also working on other new ideas, including a sidecar version of the J1.
