E-Motiv Shift Systems of Milton Keynes, UK, will show a two-speed seamless powershift transmission for light electric vehicles at EICMA 2026 in Milan, November 3-8. It maintains drive through gear changes, was validated in a £1m Innovate UK project, and a Demo 1 motorcycle begins real-world testing in early 2027.
E-Motiv Shift Systems, based in Milton Keynes, UK, will present a two-speed seamless powershift transmission for electric motorcycles and other light electric vehicles (EVs) at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy, from November 3-8. A demonstrator motorcycle using the transmission is scheduled to begin real-world testing in the first quarter of 2027.
The patented transmission is designed to maintain drive through ratio changes. E-Motiv says this gives the potential for stronger acceleration and improved powertrain efficiency. The system also allows vehicle manufacturers to tune the shift character to suit a vehicle’s duty cycle and market positioning.
According to Tony Inchbold, managing director and co-founder of E-Motiv Shift Systems, “We provide an enabling transmission and control technology for vehicle applications where multiple ratios create value.”
“Our compact powershift architecture is designed to maintain drive through a ratio change while giving engineers additional freedom to optimise the powertrain and tune shift character,” he adds.
The EV transmission builds on the seamless selector gearing system that Zeroshift developed for internal combustion engine (ICE) applications almost 25 years ago. That first-generation technology was integrated into the Aprilia Racing RS-GP MotoGP bike in 2015. The team has since recorded more than 30 podium finishes, including a one-two-three finish at the Silverstone Grand Prix in July 2026.
E-Motiv designed and developed the powershift system for light EV applications. It was validated through a £1m project funded by the UK government’s Innovate UK Design and Build initiative. Project partners were motorcycle manufacturer BSA, the University of Bath and the Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS).
The demonstrator motorcycle, called Demo 1, was conceived by Envisage, a UK design and realization consultancy. IAAPS is building the bike at its £77m research and innovation facility in the UK, which covers 11,300m² (121,600ft²).
E-Motiv Shift Systems will be on stand S79 in Hall 9 at EICMA.
