There is no fuel injection when turning the key in the switch of the two-wheeler, no start noise (almost disturbing), roaring և burning smell. Will the bike crush us? No, because it is an electric model, directly from the American brand Zero. We will try out three of them, during this three-day press trip organized by the Portuguese Tourism Office in the Algarve, a region in the south of the country known for its postcard decoration.
During these three days we will swallow about 420 kilometers of changeable weather (rain fell on our helmet from day one) և with their strength, comfort և of course at the wheel of mountains shining in silence. The direction is qualified by the organizer as “carbon freeAll motorcycles involved in road travel (motorcycles, such as cars with us at each stage) carry electric propulsion units. A real plus on paper to reduce its carbon footprint, especially when we know that Portugal has chosen to invest heavily in renewable energy (wind, hydropower or biomass). At the practical level, however, all electricity will involve, as we shall see, some time-sacrifice ազ running … Tambir up.
The key word is comfort
The journey begins in Tavira, a small seaside town located about forty kilometers from the capital of the Algarve, Faro, characterized by its sandy beaches and salt marshes. After a brief summary of the performance մեր characteristics of our day’s circles, our attention is drawn to a rather impressive model that looks like a police car. white upholstery, decorated with blue, emergency cages on the sides, transport cases inside. with … a whole range of accessories, which in practice makes our motorized two-wheeler heavier. Code Name: Zero DS. The manufacturer gives it a distance of 169 to 262 kilometers for a maximum speed of 158 km / h. Obviously exciting numbers, especially when you know that a race car is flirting for 13,000 euros (no options).
We turn on the ignition, turn on the button that acts as a starter / switch և turn on the throttle handle. First impression? It feels like riding a bike. Driving is almost instantaneous, acceleration is simple, և you feel great stability at a good pace. The experience becomes even more impressive as the day begins with torrential rains foaming the road and its bends. Starting with stops in Lule և Silves, two cities with a strong North African heritage, the journey ends in Portimao, a geopolitical city known for its car racing season.
At the end of this first day we feel a little tired, but it remains relative when we know that we spent several hours against the wind in difficult climatic conditions. The bike is comfortable. The absence of an internal combustion engine, followed by vibrations such as background noise, differs in these first 130 kilometers. What about energy consumption? There is no special alarm yet. We did not pay much attention to the LED, which shows the remaining power. The motorcycles will be recharged immediately և overnight, this first day tested model (Zero DS), which takes about 9 hours to 100% charge.
Alert point: sports mode
On the other hand, the next two days will seriously test the autonomy of the installations. The next day we exchange our “trail” for a much lighter model, theoretically more autonomous, with the Zero S. Big mistake! Everything here is just reliefs and unevenness. So much so that when crossing the top of Mount Foya (which reaches a peak of 902 meters), the panel shows that the remaining autonomy is … 53%. Fortunately, there is a bus stop in the middle of the walled city of Lagos for refueling at lunch. Without it, it is impossible to finish this second day on two wheels.
The next day the same configuration. With a clock of 142 kilometers, the day promises to be quite calm. Except that we progress mainly on open roads, highways, where the speed is much faster than in the mountains. The rest of the watch, still halfway. 48% autonomy in the Zero SR / F model, the most powerful at our disposal with a maximum speed of 200 km / h. We have to use the accelerator sparingly for the rest of the day, which will eventually be reduced by several tens of kilometers, our guide estimates that our motorcycles will not be able to reach the end in Sagres.
However, it stopped in the afternoon to charge the batteries (partially), but it was not enough. In addition to our day-to-day installation, motorcycles are not equipped with a special socket that allows them to charge quickly, which reduces waiting times. Only 2 hours from 9 p.m.
Balance on effective but short distances
As soon as we reach the front of Sagres Fortress, the results are still satisfactory. Despite the humid climate of the first two days, the trip did not affect our energy much. This is mainly due to the comfort of the motorcycles, but also to the organization. We did not need to worry too much about recharging stops, as everything was done to make our lives easier, or almost. On the last day, due to the lack of available terminals near the village of Odessaixe, our group had to turn on the connection. in motorcycles … in the resident’s kitchen!
When planning your next trip on an electric motorcycle, therefore, you should prepare your routes as well as possible. We recommend not to exceed 100 kilometers per day. You will be able to have fun without worrying too much about your energy consumption (և quietly activate the sport mode). If you are planning to travel to Portugal, know that electric motorcycles with the Zero logo will be available for rent from Hertz at the end of the year. At the same time, it is up to you to have fun on a gasoline-powered motorcycle, but the fuel bill can be sharp …
Practical notebook
GO
Arriving at Faro airport by Transavia. Transavia.com:
OR SLEEP?
In Tavira, Villa Gale Albacora It is a 4-star hotel located about fifteen minutes drive from Faro Airport. An ideal base for a visit to the eastern Algarve before exploring its west coast. Starting from 135 euros per night.
Such. : (+351) 281 329 900; vilagale.com:
Tivoli Marina Portimao. Recognizable from afar for its yellow color, this hotel complex with pool offers direct access to the sea և Praia da Rocha. It also has a nice restaurant with a direct view of the Arade River. Starting from 135 euros per night.
Phone: (+351) 282 460 200; tivolihotels.com:
MOTORCYCLE
Electrical maps – this application, which is very popular in Portugal, allows you to locate all charging stations within a defined radius. Ideal for planning a road trip without worrying about fuel consumption.
ASK ABOUT
Portuguese tourist council. Such. 08 11 65 38 38 or Visit Portugal.
Source: Le Figaro
