Can-Am Spyder Hybrid puts plug-in technology on three wheels

Jan 27, 2011 3:25 PM

With snow blanketing the Northeast, it hardly seems like the time to talk about motorcycles. But even if no one else is, at least motorcycle manufacturers are getting ready for spring and some are looking further down the road.

At last week's New York International Motorcycle Show, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) showed a plug-in hybrid version of its Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycle. The company says it expects the hybrid Spyder to consume about half the fuel of its conventional counterpart, which various motorcycle magazines put at 30-32 mpg. (Read our Can-Am Spyder first impression.)

The Spyder Hybrid uses lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor in conjunction with the trike's standard 106-hp, 998-cc Rotax V-twin engine. BRP is targeting an overall range of 375 miles.

BRP is working with Sherbrooke University and with funding from the Canadian government to develop the hybrid and plans to eventually add the model to the Can-Am Spyder lineup. No word on when that may be.

—Eric Evarts

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