Electrics at the Dragon had its biggest turnout yet this year with dozens of motorcyclists riding or trailering in their EVs from across the country.

This EV Rider post and episode is sponsored by the Historic Tapoco Lodge, a Deals Gap area tradition since 1930 that includes Level 2 J-1772 and Tesla Destination charging for guests with EV’s.

California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan and Texas were just some of the states represented at 2025’s event, which was held May 17-24.

In this week’s EV Rider episode at the top of this post you’ll hear from a variety of motorcyclists and get a first person perspective of tackling 318 cures in just 11 miles on U.S. 129, which runs through the heart of the Dragon in Deals Gap, NC and into Tennessee.

I personally rode just under 1,400 miles to the Dragon and back from Jacksonville, FL on my 2020 Zero SR/F. I had a blast at this year’s event and thoroughly enjoyed editing the video.

To everyone that contributed photos and b-roll, thank you! Your photo and video additions really added to the piece. I’m purposely avoiding running any of the photos in this brief story in hopes of encouraging more readers to watch the episode.

A big shoutout goes to the Historic Tapoco Lodge, which is about five minutes or so away from the heart of the Dragon. The lodge sponsored this episode, making the trip possible.

Topaco Lodge has a wonderful bar and restaurant providing beautiful views of Cheoah River while dining. It’s a first-class retreat with pleasant cabins throughout the property.

It’s also well equipped for EV motorcyclists with Level 2 chargers along with outdoor plugs for overnight charging under weather protected canopies.

Austin  Ammarell did a fantastic job organizing this year’s Electrics at the Dragon.

For those of you who couldn’t make it, you’ve got the entire summer and fall season to check out the Dragon and you don’t even need to bring your motorcycle since Austin also co-owns eMoto Powersports, which rents out Zero and Energica EVs just down the road in Robbinsville.

If you don’t have your helmet and gear with you, they’ve got that covered as well.

Last year I rented a DSR/X from eMoto Powersports rather than bring my own bike. It was a great way to experience a different EV.

eMoto Powersports also welcomes visiting motorcyclists to use its j-1772 plug, which is a great resource for Zero owners with Rapid Chargers.

There are plenty of worthwhile riding locations that don’t require a charge to get back to your Deals Gap area homebase, but if you do want to head further out, you might be pleasantly surprised to find how many chargers are scattered throughout the region.

Great Smoky Mountains Regional Charging Locations 

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Now that spring is here electric motorcyclists will be making their annual pilgrimage from across the country to the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, North Carolina.

This EV Rider post and episode is sponsored by the Historic Tapoco Lodge, a Deals Gap area tradition since 1930 that includes Level 2 J-1772 and Tesla Destination charging for guests with EV’s.

Electrics at the Dragon has grown into an annual event that attracts EV motorcyclists from here in Florida and states like California, Michigan and others.

Some tow, while others ride the whole way in to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains.

This year’s event runs from Saturday, May 17 through the following Saturday, May 24.

Electrics At The Dragon Resources

• Tapoco Lodge website
• eMoto Powersports electric motorcycle rentals website
• 2025 Electrics at the Dragon Facebook group
• Tail of the Dragon website

Although there are quite a few lodging options, the riders tend to stay and at two main locations.

The first is Topaco Lodge, which has a wonderful bar and restaurant providing beautiful views of Cheoah River while dining. It’s a first-class retreat with pleasant cabins throughout the property.

It’s also well equipped for EV motorcyclists with four Level 2 chargers along with outdoor plugs for overnight charging under weather protected canopies.

Another popular location for lodging is the Treetops, while just about all the riders stop by Killboy for meetups at the Tail of the Dragon throughout the week.

For those that haven’t been before, the beauty of riding in the Smokies is tough to beat, and, you might be surprised how much range you’ll get from a charge.

Unless you’re really pushing it, you should easily be able to ride 125-miles or more before stopping with any Zero with the fully unlocked 17.3 kWh battery pack. Mountain riding tends to be great for range.

For you gas bikers, Electrics at the Dragon is a fantastic opportunity to learn what EV motorcycling is all about.

eMoto Powersports, which is just down the road in Robinsville, rents out Energica and Zero EVs.  They’ll even personally deliver an EV to your area lodging location at no extra charge so all you need to do it grab your helmet and hop on.

If you don’t have your helmet and gear with you, they’ve got that covered as well.

Last year I rented a DSR/S rather than bring my own bike. It was a great way to experience a different EV. This year I’m thinking I’ll stick with my SR/F.

Electrics at the Dragon is a well-run event that’s a great way to meet fellow motorcyclists from around the country.

EV motorcyclists usually meet up a few times throughout the week for organized rides. At the Tail of the Dragon there are three Level 2 chargers: a j-plug, a NEMA 14-50 outlet and a Tesla destination charger. All are located at Killboy.

eMoto Powersports also welcomes visiting motorcyclists to use its 48-amp j-plug, which is a great resourse for Zero owners with Rapid Chargers.

There are plenty of worthwhile riding locations that don’t require a charge to get back to your Deals Gap area homebase, but if you do want to head further out, you might be pleasantly surprised to find how many chargers are scattered throughout the region.

Great Smoky Mountains Regional Charging Locations

All-in-all, Electrics at the Dragon is always a great time.

I’d suggest booking a room or bike now, rather than take a chance on not finding anything by waiting until the last minute.

I’ll look forward to seeing as many of you EV Riders as possible from across the country in May.

2024 Electrics At The Dragon

The post 2025 Electrics At The Dragon Starts May 17 appeared first on EV Rider.

The most memorable automobiles, regardless of propulsion type, are rolling works of art.

When you combine some of the greatest automobiles produced throughout the 20th century against the stunning backdrop of the island of Hilton Head in North Carolina, it adds up to a weekend sure to thrill any automotive enthusiast. I speak from experience as someone who has the pleasure of previously attending the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival.

OFFICIAL CONCOURS WEBSITE: Homepage | Tickets | Host Hotel | News Releases

The Nov. 1-3, 2024 event focuses on some of the most glorious examples of internal combustion engine propulsion, making it a treat for the eyes.

Related: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance coverage

Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars will be among the classics featured, including a 1925 Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster. It was custom-ordered by famed businessman, film producer, and aviator Howard Hughes.

With only 13,000 original miles, the Rolls was purchased in 2014 by its current caretaker, Guy Lewis from Miami. Under his care it was returned to the original colors and condition, an extensive restoration was completed in 2019.

Another display that’s sure to please pony car fans will be the 60 Years of Ford Mustangs exhibit. For EV fans a big question is will the display recognize Ford’s Mustang Mach-E EV as a “real” Mustang – or will it stick to ICE-powered Mustangs? You’ll have to attend to find out. A full list of highlights is at the bottom of this page.

The concours also gives back to the local community through the Pinnacle Society, which supports youth programs and organizations. Show organizers say since the Festival’s inception, over $1 million has been donated through direct grants, scholarships, and in-kind contributions.

For those interested in attending the 2024 Hilton Head Concour,s held on the grounds of the ​​Port Royal Golf Club, below is a list of highlights. Visit the official concours website for everything from ticketing to parking and shuttle information.

Hilton Head Concours Event Schedule

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2024

7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
FLIGHTS & FANCY | Hilton Head Island Airport, General Aviation. An evening of sophistication and elegance. Delight in gourmet flavors and premium beverages while surrounded by a stunning display of vintage and cutting-edge aircraft and automobiles. This is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of luxury and innovation.

Featuring live music by X-Factor winner Alex Kinsey.

​SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2024

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
​AERO EXPO, CAR CLUB SHOWCASE, &
ROLLS-ROYCE OWNERS’ CLUB NATIONAL MINI MEET
​Aero Expo at Hilton Head Island Airport, General Aviation.
A celebration of aircraft, vintage and modern supercars.
_____________________________
Car Club Showcase at the Port Royal Golf Club.
A celebration of the local motoring spirit featuring over 200 collector vehicles.
_____________________________
Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club National Mini Meet at the Port Royal Golf Club.The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival is thrilled to partner with the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club (RROC) and the RROC’s Southeast Region to host an exciting weekend ‘Mini Meet’ for club members and event guests. The Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club will curate a stunning display of “Proper Motor Cars” showcasing many of the finest bespoke examples of hand built luxury and opulence of the automobile world. 

 ​All three of the above events are included in Saturday’s ticket.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2024

9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
​​Port Royal Golf Club

2024 CONCOURS HIGHLIGHTS:

– HONORED MARQUE: BENTLEY AND ROLLS-ROYCE POST-WAR
– 125th ANNIVERSARY OF PACKARD, CCCA FULL CLASSICS, BRASS ERA
– CLASS OF ’64 . 60 YEARS OF MUSTANG, POP CULTURE CARS OF THE 50s & 60s
– RARE ENGLISH, OPEN & CLOSED EUROPEAN 50s, 60s, & 70s, JAGUAR XK CLASS
– AMERICAN SPORT, CLASSIC JAPANESE PERFORMANCE, FAST CARS & BIG BLOCK
– MICRO CARS, BARN FINDS, AUTOMOTIVE ORPHANS
– FOUR GENERATIONS OF SUPERCARS
– ITALIAN GT CARS OF THE 60s & 70s, FERRARI GT
– INTERNATIONAL PROTOTYPES
– CANNONBALL RUN MOTORCYCLES, BRITISH & EUROPEAN FROM THE 50s, 60s, & 70s, PRE-WAR AMERICAN & EUROPEAN

The post Hilton Head Concours Hosts Auto Enthusiasts Nov. 1-3, 2024 appeared first on EV Rider.

EV motorcyclists from across the U.S. rode into Deals Gap, NC in April for Electrics at the Dragon.

This EV Rider post and episode is sponsored by the Historic Tapoco Lodge, a Deals Gap area tradition since 1930 that includes level 2 charging for guests with EV’s.

All the riders that attended had a few things in common: a love for electric motorcycles, comradery and exploring the great outdoors. Zero E-Michigan YouTuber Karl Bloss rode in from Michigan on his Zero SR/S, tallying well over 2000 miles in the saddle.

Post your Tail of the Dragon comments here

“Last year, I trailored my bike down but this year I retired and I had time, so I took ten days to ride all the way down here,” Karl said.

John Lever also owns an SR/S and says out of all the motorcycles, he’s owned, the Zero ranks at the very top. “Currently I own a Ducati Multistrada. I’ve also owned two Honda Gold Wings, an [Honda] Africa Twin, Suzuki Burgman, a Yamaha FJR 1300 and a Tracer 900.”

Related: More EV motorcycles coverage

Rounding out our trio of SR/S owners is Bob Thurstans. Last year he rode in all the way from California. This year Bob decided to rent a SR/S from eMotor Powersports, in nearby Robbinsville, which is similar to his personal bike. 

“Another feature that mine has is the Rapid Charger and the Double-J. I was able to ride it across from from California last year. I did the coast to coast, had a little help from Scott. He gave me a list of 29 chargers that I might potentially use on the drive across and I used about. 26 of them.”

Bob is referring to Scott Harkless, who invented the DJ Rapid Charge system which allows Zero SR/S and SR/F owners to use two J-1772 charging outlets simultaneously in conjunction with Zero’s, optional Rapid Charger setup. Scott is now turning his attention to Zero’s DSR/X lineup and hopes to get a DJ Rapid Charge into production for it by the end of the year. 

“It’s in the works as much as it can be. The system will work because this [DSR/X] is basically the same drivetrain. It’s just the mechanics that need to be worked out. I’m working with Zero on that to get the parts I need to get that all worked out, so stay tuned,” Scott said. The system for current generation Zero Ss, SR/Fs and SR/Ss is available at eMoto Design.

Larry Bergsneider came in from Auburn, AL with his 2018 DSR, which he uses for a lot of off roading. “I try to keep up with the KTMs and the BDRs (Backcountry Discovery Routes) and the rallies. I try to keep up with them. I do OK,” Larry said.

This year, rather than ride or tow my personal Zero SR/F from Jacksonville to the Dragon, I decided to rent a Zero DSR/X from eMoto Powersports in Robbinsville, which is about 20 minutes or so from the Dragon.

eMoto Powersports owner Austin. Ammarell and his buddy Christian Mergner are the co-founders of Electrics at the Dragon. “We just came up here with two of us on our electric bikes. I had just gotten a fast charging system for an older version of this bike [Zero S] and he had a little Supermoto that went 40 miles on a charge,” Austin said, adding, “We kind of both said, ‘you know, it would be awesome if you had a whole group of us up here for a weekend.’ And so I posted in the Facebook group, right when I got home. I had eight people show up the first time, some on gas bikes, some on electrics, and it grew from there. “

The Tail of the Dragon is on U.S. 129. It features 318 curves in 11 miles, beginning in North Carolina and quickly winding its way into Tennessee. If you’d like to learn more about the Dragon, visit the official Tail of the Dragon website.

The post EVs Take over Deals Gap, NC’s Tail of the Dragon appeared first on EV Rider.

Electric motorcyclists from across the country will be gathering at the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, NC for a week of enjoying breathtaking roads, adventure, fellowship and fun April 20-27, 2024.

Electrics at the Dragon is held each spring as EV motorcyclists make their way up the twisties to the Deals Gap/Robbinsville, North Carolina area, which is nestled deep in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Electrics at the Dragon 2024 event page

This year’s event is scheduled to run a full week, beginning at noon on Saturday, April 20 and concluding the following Saturday.  

It officially started back in 2020 when 13 riders on 10 electric motorcycles made their way to Deals Gap after a 2019 informal gathering proved there was interest. 

Electrics at the Dragon has grown to the point that it helped create a seasonal business. Organizer Austin Ammarell and his partner launched eMoto Powersports in 2023. They saw so much interest from electric motorcyclists in riding the Dragon that they decided the time was right to invest in renting EVs. Their shop currently has 4 EVs for rent; a Zero SR/F, DSR/X, SR/S and an Energica Eva Ribelle. 

That means this year you don’t even need to own an electric motorcycle to attend. If you’ve got a gas bike you can still come and then rent an EV to see what it’s all about. 

For those of you that will be riding in for the first time, you might be pleasantly surprised to find out that the area’s charging infrastructure is probably a bit better than you might have guessed. 

Some of the riders will be staying on a property with three houses with enough power outlets to keep the EVs charged each night. 

The historic Tapoco Lodge has 3 Tesla destination chargers and a j-1772 plug for EV motorcycling guests to use.  All modern EV motorcycles can use Tesla destination chargers with an adapter (see 2nd half of this story/video for details).

At the heart of the Dragon there are three Level 2 chargers: a j-1772 plug, a NEMA 14-50 outlet and a Tesla destination charger.  

eMoto Powersports also welcomes riders to use its onsite NEMA 14-50 i and j-1772 plug. The j-plug is 48 amps so Zero Motorcycles riders with Rapid Chargers will be filling up fast.

Some area AirBnBs also have outlets that are fine for recharging EV motorcycles overnight.

As you tour the area, you’ll find a solar-powered Level 2 charger at Fontana Dam and of course there are chargers over in Knoxville. 

Another good riding destination is Franklin, which has a variety of Level 2 and Level 3 chargers. 

You might also be pleasantly surprised to learn just how much range you’ll get on an EV motorcycle in the mountains.  

Thanks to the generally slower speeds on curvy roads and regenerated energy  EV Riders get, you’ll probably see a good 20% or more range than you’re used to seeing back home on when blasting around the interstates. 

EV Rider is planning to be at this year’s Electrics at the Dragon. I hope you’ll join us for the fun and if you’ve enjoyed the video at the top of this post please give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel.

The post Make Plans Now: Electrics At The Dragon 2024 appeared first on EV Rider.

Here’s a very brief helmetcam tour of Sarasota and its surrounding communities on a beautiful Florida winter day. No story with this one. Just some pretty video and a bit of narration.

The post Motorcycle Tour: Sarasota, FL appeared first on EV Rider.

Finally! There’s an easy way to experience the thrill and beauty of riding the Tail of the Dragon and the Great Smoky Mountains on an electric motorcycle. 

eMoto Powersports recently opened at 165 North Main Street, Robbinsville, NC; offering Energica and Zero EV motorcycles for rent, ranging from two hours to two weeks. 

At the time of this post’s publication eMoto’s fleet included a Zero SR/F, SR/S, DSR/X and Energica Eva Ribelle. 

EV Rider headed up from Florida to North Carolina to check out the new business and spend a glorious day on a Zero Motorcycles SR/S and Energica Eva Ribelle; hugging beautiful mountain roads filled with creeks, curves and a canopy that was just beginning to show a few peaks of fall color. 

eMoto Powersports Owner Austin Ammarell started riding in the area in 2018 and got the idea for his business after so many fellow motorcyclists started approaching him with questions about EVs. “Every time we’ve come here, half the time we can’t leave on time because people are bombarding us with questions about bikes. What they do, how far they go on a charge,” said Austin.  

He originally owned a 2018 Zero S, putting close to 80,000 miles on it. “It paid for itself in three years,” he said, referring to the money he saved as compared to what he was spending in gas for his previous car.

Austin’s idea blossomed as the years went by when he and his partner were able to save enough to purchase a building perfectly suited for EV motorcycles rentals. It had recently been renovated and includes lots of wood and stone flourishes that produce a nice backdrop for the bikes.

eMoto Powersports has an onsite Level 2 charger for EV motorists of all types traveling through Robbinsville. Austin and his partner are also willing to offer their expertise to help other area businesses install chargers in the region to help grow the electric vehicle tourism industry.

While I was visiting, EV Rider YouTube channel viewer Rory Danner rode up from Atlanta on his 2020 Zero Motorcycles SR/S to check out eMoto Powersports. Atlanta is about 140 or so miles away. Rory has already put about 30,000 miles on his SR/S.

“The only maintenance I’ve done is tires, and every day I get up, I go down to the garage, I have a full tank. It’s ready to go,” said Rory. He says out of the 30 motorcycles he’s owned over his lifetime, the SR/S is his favorite. The two Kawasaki Concours that Rory owned are probably the most directly comparable to his Zero. 

The highlight of the greater Robbinsville area for motorcyclists is US 129, which is affectionately known as the Tail of the Dragon. The stretch of road passes through Deals Gap, NC and beyond. It’s known to automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts for its 318 curves in 11 miles. 

The heart of the Dragon includes what’s called “the Tree of Shame,” which is a collection of motorcycle parts that some riders have lost in curves that they couldn’t quite handle.

Electric motorcycles offer a big advantage in those sharp curves for several reasons. The Zeros and Energicas have high levels of regen, which quickly slow down the bikes when heading into turns. Because there are no gears, coming out of the turns is also easier since there’s no need to worry about shift points. The EVs don’t have manual transmissions.

The EV motorcycles include ABS and stability control to increase the odds that a rider won’t lose traction at any point in a turn. The bikes have a variety of riding modes to accommodate the varying skill levels of motorcyclists.

While riding at the Tail of the Dragon, the Historic Tapoco Lodge just up the road hosted me. The local landmark has nearly 100 years of history behind it. 

The lodge been hosting motorcyclists, auto enthusiasts and adventurers since 1930. It’s nestled on the banks of the Cheoah River, offering a wonderfully picturesque spot to stop for a drink, lunch or dinner; even if you’re not spending the night or weekend. 

The lodge offers modern amenities such as wifi, microwaves and is EV motorcycle friendly with four Level 2 j-plug and Tesla destination chargers on site for guests. 

I’d highly recommend both eMoto Powersports and Topoco Lodge to any motorcyclist considering a trip to the area. The riding experience is among the best you’ll find anywhere and renting an electric motorcycle is a great way to get a feel for where the motorcycling industry is headed. 

Words can only do so much to express the beauty that the Robbinsville and Deals Gap areas have to offer.  

To get a better feel, be sure to watch the video at the top of this post, and if you enjoy it, please be sure to give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel so I can continue to bring you more adventures in EV motoring. 

The post Tail Of The Dragon Electric Motorcycle Rentals appeared first on EV Rider.

Thanks to an ever expanding charging infrastructure EV Riders are now getting their kicks on America’s “Mother Road,” Historic Route 66.

I recently drove my Mustang Mach-E EV more than 4,800 miles, exploring America, including what is perhaps its most historic road: Route 66.

After grabbing a charge at a Loves in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, I headed about a mile or so up the road to the Route 66 Auto Museum.

The wonderfully retro museum is home to more than 30 classic cars on display, along with plenty of memorabilia ranging from old hot rods and neon signs to historic gas pumps, toys and of course, a 1950s style snack bar.

But the cars are the real stars. Among my personal favorites that were on display, is the 1956 Cadillac included in the video at the top of this post.

Owner James “Bozo” Cordova has been rebuilding, modifying and restoring vehicles for 40 years.

He runs the museum along with his wife Anna and their children.

Although America is transitioning to an EV future, gasoline-powered classics like these will always have a special place in the hearts of automotive enthusiasts.

Join us in the video for a tour of the Route 66 Auto Museum with music from the classic song ‘Route 66,’ performed by Nat King Cole and written by Bobby Troup.

The post Route 66 Auto Museum Tour appeared first on EV Rider.

When we think of electric vehicles; Teslas, Chevy Bolts, Mustang Mach-Es and others probably come to mind. But, the history of EVs stretches back more than a century. 

During my cross-country Mustang Mach-E EV drive of more than 4,800 miles, I came across the 1914 Elwell-Parker electric baggage wagon in the EV Rider video at the top of this post. You’ll find it on display at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The electric powered vehicle was used for decades at Union Station to transport mail through the train station’s underground tunnel system and to tow passenger luggage from one location to the other. 

Here’s another fun fact: electric cars were actually the best-selling automobiles produced at the turn of the 20^th century, according to Elwell-Parker. 

While Elwell-Parker is much better known today for its EV logistics solutions, like lift trucks, in its early years the Detroit Electric Car Company bought a controlling interest to guarantee it would have enough parts for its electric cars. That’s according to Elwell-Parker’s history page.

Ewell-Parker – founded in 1893 – is still in business, making things such as electric platform trucks. 

The company first gained prominence with its electric porters, which were originally an ordinary hand truck with batteries and a motor. 

Detroit Electric declared bankruptcy in 1929 as gasoline cars quickly overtook electrics. But Elwell-Parker survived, going on to invent the lift truck and it continues to innovate to this day. 

If you’ve enjoyed the EV Rider at the top of this post please give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel.

The post Check Out This 1914 Elwell-Parker EV appeared first on EV Rider.

Back in 2013, before fast *Level 2 or Level 3 charging was available on EV motorcycles, Terry Hershner set out from the Santa Monica Pier in California on a cross country journey on his 2012 Zero ZF9 EV motorcycle that would take him to the Jacksonville Beach Pier in Florida.

Post your comments about the video here.

Since then a variety of electric motorcyclists have either started or finished their cross country journeys from Jacksonville Beach‘s pier.

The pier recently reopened after undergoing a $11.6 million rehabilitation, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record, after being battered by hurricanes Matthew and Irma. The new portion of the pier is eight feet higher and ten feet longer.

It’s part of a building boom in the Northeast Florida beach community that includes a new hotel going up next to the pier.

In this week’s episode of EV Rider we’re taking a look back at Hershner’s first successful cross-country ride, which set a record at the time. We’re also looking at a few of the riders that have since broken Terry’s record.

* The 2012 Brammo Empulse R featured Level 2 J-1772 charging, although its charging speed was far below what’s available from EV motorcycle manufacturers today.

The post EV Motorcycle Pioneer Sparks Cross-Country Trend From Jacksonville Beach Pier appeared first on EV Rider.