New electric motorcycle from Finland features radical hubless rear wheel with electromagnets providing forward propulsion. With no chain, belt or gearbox to sap power, it is extremely efficient.

The Electric Motorcycle of the Future

The Verge TS has been featured in topspeed.com before (see feature here) but that was back in 2019. Now, after extensive testing, it is due to hit showrooms in 2022.

Verge is a Finnish company, previously known as RMK and has been working on the concept for a number of years. It's a radical design, featuring a hubless rear wheel and an innovative propulsion method.

Like all great ideas, it is deceptively simple. The centre ring is supported by the swing arm and the out rim and tyre rotates around it. The wheel itself is the electric motor: electromagnets on both parts of the wheel, repel each other when fed electricity from the batteries and turn the wheel. Because of the need to house all the technology, the rear wheel is wide which is no bad thing as it gives the bike a chunky, purposeful appearance.

With no chain, belt or gearbox, power loss is kept to an absolute minimum, increasing the efficiency to such an extent that the hubless motor is able to producee 107bhp and a frankly unbelievable 737lb.ft of torque.

While battery specification is still being finalised, expect around 180 miles of city riding and 120 miles on the highway.

Naturally, suspension and braking components top-shelf Ohlins and Brembo items and wheels are by South African carbon fibre specialists BST. All-in weight is around 225kg.

Charging is either by a built-in AC charger with a four-hour charge time or a DC charger which reduces this to 40 minutes, with 60 miles range available after 15 minutes charging with the DC charger.