KTM is the first major motorcycle manufacturer to release an electric motorcycle, and it’s been a long road coming for the Austrian company.

KTM first debuted the Freeride E at the EICMA show three years ago, and since then has been perfecting its design. Now ready for primetime, KTM’s electric dirt bikes broke cover a few weeks ago.

Today, the KTM Freeride E-SM debuted at INTERMOT, giving the Austrian brand three distinct electric offerings within its core competency.

At the core of the Freeride E-SM is a liquid-cooled PMAC electric motor, which puts out 21.5hp and 31 lbs•ft of torque, as well as a swappable 2.6 kWh lithium-Ion battery pack.

The swappable pack is the killer app part of KTM’s design, as having an extra battery charging while you’re riding on a track pretty much guarantees a day of constant riding sessions (it fully charges in 80 minutes, and charges to 80% in 50 minutes, when hooked up to the KTM quick charging system).

It seems unlikely that KTM USA will bring the Freeride E-SM over anytime soon though, which should give electric motorcycle startups like BRD Motorcycles a little breathing room in bringing their electric supermotos to market.

To our eye though, the KTM Freeride E-SM looks like a stout package. The Austrian company has come a long way with its electric program in a few years’ time, and it is only going to improve its design going forward. Expect to see proper electric 250cc & 450cc four-stroke replacements in the coming future.

Source: KTM

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