Ed Darmanin's 18,000km electric motorcycle journey proves the technology works in Australia's outback
Retired engineer Ed Darmanin completes an 18,000km lap of mainland Australia on electric motorcycle, believed to be the first.
Sydney retiree Ed Darmanin has spent three months circling Australia on an electric motorcycle. The motorcycle has no petrol tank and no spare battery.
The 67-year-old, a retired electrical engineer, rode anti-clockwise from Sydney in June. Darmanin visited every mainland state and territory and is now on the final stretch through Gippsland, heading home.
The real challenge was range. The bike's battery is only about a quarter to a third the size of an electric car's battery.
On flat road with luggage at 100km/h, he gets roughly 160km. Charging points are far apart in the outback.
Darmanin had to plan every leg around DC fast chargers, the same ones electric cars use. He sometimes slowed to 75km/h to stretch his range to 260km or more.
He's spent five years on electric motorcycle firsts, including crossing Australia and riding Sydney to Darwin via Birdsville.
- 18,000 kilometres
- Journey distance
- roughly 160 kilometres
- Bike range at 100km/h
- 67
- Age
- June 24
- Journey start date
Why it mattersShows electric motorcycles can handle long-distance adventure travel in Australia's harshest terrain, proving the technology works beyond city commuting.
AustraliaAn Australian first for a homegrown electric bike journey, demonstrating electric vehicle capability for adventure across remote Australian roads.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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