Team Nikola Racing
Image 1: Nikola 1.0 (Without Body Panels)
Image 2: Lithium Titanate Battery Cell
Image 3: Lithium Titanate Battery Pack Integration with Orion BMS
Image 4: Lithium Titanate Battery Pack Assembly on Nikola 1.0
Image 5: Nikola 1.0 (Assembled & Tested)
We designed, fabricated, and manufactured an electric motorcycle with a 100-kilometer range, 20-minute charging time, and a battery lifespan of over 8 years. At the heart of our development were lithium-titanate cells, featuring a single-cell capacity of 40Ah and 2.3V. These 20 cells were connected in a series combination and equipped with the advanced Orion Battery Management System (BMS) boasting CAN communication for real-time tracking. The vehicle featured a strong 2kW BLDC motor that was seamlessly integrated with a precise chain drive system.
My significant contribution to this project, in partnership with my teammate, was the initiation and implementation of a battery pack design consisting of lithium-titanate cells. This development played a pivotal role in enabling our electric motorcycle to achieve a remarkable 20-minute charging time while ensuring a battery life exceeding 8 years. Our team was one of the first to use lithium-titanate batteries in an electric bike.
Additionally, as part of our institute's Golden Jubilee celebration, Team Nikola designed and built an electric Segway—a self-balancing vehicle guided by gyroscopic sensors, powered by two BLDC motors and LiPo batteries.