Image Credit: Verge Motorcycles.
I can't help it - I am really bad at waiting. I'm usually the one standing in front of the microwave yelling at it to hurry up during the last ten seconds. And when I say the world of electric vehicle manufacturing is my personal purgatory, I mean it. But today is a good day because I'm taking a look at Verge Motorcycles, and the drama is delicious.
If you have been following the saga of the Verge TS Pro, you know it is supposed to be the "Chosen One" of electric motorcycles. Why? because of the battery. Verge teamed up with a Finnish startup called Donut Lab. It really does sound like the greatest scientific facility on earth, and I am still waiting for my invite, by the way. Together, they promised the world’s first production motorcycle powered by a solid-state battery. This is the Holy Grail of EV tech. It’s lighter, safer, and packs more punch than the lithium-ion bricks we are used to.
Image Credit: Donut Lab.
There was a rumor floating around that production was delayed. It turns out that is only half true. It is a "good news, bad news" situation. The CEO of Verge, Tuomo Lehtimäki, cleared the air, and if you were one of the eager beavers who ordered your TS Pro last year, congratulations! You are likely getting your bike by the end of March. You beat the rush. You are the VIP.
If you are reading this and thinking about ordering one today, I have some bad news. You are going to need a very comfortable chair. Orders placed right now for the US market are looking at a delivery date of roughly the fourth quarter of 2026. And if you are in other parts of the world, reports suggest you might be waiting until 2027. That is a proper long-term relationship commitment.
Image Credit: Verge Motorcycles.
It seems the issue isn't that the technology doesn't work. The solid-state stuff is apparently ready to rock. The problem is popularity and a tiny production run. They are only making about 350 of these futuristic beasts this year. I think my local bakery makes more croissants in an hour than Verge makes bikes in a year, making the TS Pro rarer than a humble politician.
Then there is the red tape. Ah, the joy of bureaucracy. The certification process is currently underway in both the European Union and the United States. As we all know, government certification can take anywhere from a few weeks to a full year. It's a total toss-up. It is like asking a cat to do a trick; maybe it happens immediately, maybe it just stares at you for six months.
Image Credit: Verge Motorcycles.
The question is: Are the Finns bluffing? I don't think so. They are pushing ahead with that unstoppable Nordic determination. The end of March is not that far off, the clock is ticking loudly, and we all ask: Will the lucky few get their solid-state unicorns? Or will we get another presser about "supply chain problems"? I have no idea. But just in case, I have my popcorn ready since this really is the most entertaining show in the EV world right now.
Related articles:
Verge’s 'Donut of Destiny': Is this the holy grail of motorcycles?
The Finnish 'donut' that’s giving the battery world indigestion
Donut Forget the Motor… Verge TS Pro Just Went on a Diet
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