Homegrown electric motorbike designer and maker Savic Motorcycles has nabbed the Victorian premier’s top design award for 2022.
Based in Melbourne and founded by Dennis Savic, the electric motorcycle maker has been working to bring a zero-emissions and high-performance cafe racer to the local market amid Covid-related delays and economic uncertainty.
The recipient of the award, the Savic C-Series, has been designed by former Ford employee Savic and design henchman David Hendroff, and won not only the top award but also the product design category for its 1970s cafe racer style combined with an electric drivetrain.
This is no mean feat: the 80-kilogram drivetrain had to be integrated into a lightweight aluminium frame with the classic lines of the iconic motorcycle, including a 16.7kWh battery and 60kW motor that delivers 200Nm torque and acceleration to 100km/hr in 3.5 seconds in its top-of-the-range format.
Chair of the now 25-year-old highly esteemed Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year Celina Clarke said in a statement regarding Savic’s achievement:
“The Savic C-Series has been immaculately designed in every sense of the word.
“The attention to design details – from its elegant lines, handcrafted chrome and aluminium finishes right through to the design of their website and branding – it is clear this Victorian company is leading by design in everything they do.”
She added: “Our panel of domestic and international judges were incredibly impressed with the potential of the Savic C-Series to fulfil the promise of ethical, pollution-free transport for communities all over the world, with more than 80% of the vehicle, including its frame and powertrain enclosure, made from fully recyclable cast aluminium.”
The C-Series is currently available to order in either a $26,990 Alpha or $19,990 Delta configuration (a $3,000 price rise since the C-Series was first launched in 2020). An Omega variant was originally on the cards but is not on the maker’s website currently.
Whilst the C-Series was originally slated for an early 2021 launch, the pandemic and supply chain issues have resulted in lengthy delays, but Savic Motorcycles in early march announced that its first C-Series Alpha motorcycle will be ready for road trials in October.
It now expects first deliveries to start in early 2023, and interested riders can purchase a “production slot” via the company’s website with a $100 deposit.
| Specification | Alpha | Delta |
| Power | 60kW | 40kW |
| Torque | 200Nm | 140Nm |
| Range | 200km | 150km |
| Battery Size | 16.7kWh | 14.2kWh |
| Charge time | 4.5 hours | 3.8 hours |
| 0-100km/h | 3.5s | 4.5s |
| Price (+ORC) | $26,990 | $19,990 |
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.