Verge Motorcycles, known for its distinctive electric motorcycles featuring a hubless, donut-shaped rear wheel, is expanding the reach of its technology through a new business-to-business initiative. The Finnish company has launched Verge Next, a division dedicated to licensing its advanced electric motorcycle technology to other manufacturers of electric bicycles, motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds.

Verge Next aims to capitalise on growing interest from global industry players eager to incorporate Verge’s innovative systems into their own electric two-wheelers. Despite this shift toward technology licensing, Verge Motorcycles will continue to produce its own uniquely styled electric motorcycles.

Tuomo Lehtimäki, CEO of Verge Motorcycles, highlighted the company’s evolution in an interview with New Atlas, stating: “Over the last few years, Verge Motorcycles has paved the way for the future of motorcycles. Now, we are responding to the wishes of several manufacturers to gain access to our technology platform and components for use in their own vehicles.”

Lehtimäki also explained the collaborative and forward-looking nature of Verge Next: “Verge Next is an ever-developing ecosystem, allowing industry operators to improve the safety, driveability, and other key characteristics of their products. We have discussed potential partnerships with several manufacturers, and, with Verge Next, we are able to establish new B2B arrangements even better than before.”

At the heart of this technology sharing is the innovative Donut motor, designed by Verge’s partner company Donut Lab. This motor is integrated directly into the wheel rim, removing the need for conventional drive chains or belts. This design not only offers a cleaner aesthetic but also reduces mechanical losses and enables smoother torque distribution, features that have attracted considerable interest from other manufacturers.

Verge has demonstrated the adaptability of this system across a range of two-wheel vehicles, including sportbikes, café racers, scooters, and dirt bikes. The Verge Next offering encompasses not only the Donut motor but also improvements in chassis balance, intelligent traction control, and advanced battery management technologies.

The company’s decision to license its technology represents a departure from a conventional proprietary approach, potentially influencing the design of future electric two-wheelers worldwide. The Verge Next programme embodies Verge’s commitment to creating an open ecosystem where partners can leverage its technological advancements to enhance their products.

With this development, the next wave of electric motorcycles and bikes navigating city streets might well be powered by Verge’s distinctive hubless motor technology, signalling a significant innovation in the electric vehicle industry.

Source: Noah Wire Services