Momoa's Harley presents Electrogenic with the ultimate challenge

Jason Momoa has returned to the workshops of Electrogenic for more electrification of his classics, offering the Petrol Tanker Sheds and Kidlington resident its biggest challenge yet.

The Hollywood star has already converted his Rolls-Royce Phantom II to electric power via Electrogenic, and recently brought six more machines to be electrified before testing them on the Experience & Demonstration Track.

Among the set was his pair of Series Land Rovers, an 80" SI and Dormobile-converted SIIA. “It’s a whole different experience, me and my daughter going through the forest quietly,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”

The super-early Series I, from 1949, features a bespoke battery box and detuned 150kW motor while the one-of-150 SIIA has a 62kWh battery and 12kW motor in the engine bay. The fixed-reduction gearbox of each, 2:1 and 2.9:1 respectively, is bolted to the transfer box and everything is fully reversible. In the camper, the kitchen has been refitted to electric to ensure it is entirely zero-emission.

To help him and his family go farther on their adventures, Electrogenic kitted out his trailer with enough batteries to power equipment for a month. The trailer can also recharge the converted off-roaders, too. 

The most challenging part, though, came on two wheels. Momoa wanted to hybridise his vintage 1920s Harley-Davidsons, allowing him to choose between electric and petrol power: “If I want to hear the sound, and if not I can just flip it over.”

“I feel that anyone who rides motorcycles needs to try it,” he added. “Your brain is going: ‘I’m moving, I’ve got power coming to me and there’s no sound.’ I can have a full conversation with my friend, just going through the mountains… cruising on this old 1920s bike, and totally feeling it’s a 1920s bike. It’s just a really beautiful experience.”

A Maeving hub has been fitted to the rear wheel of his 1924 and 1927 JDs, offering 11kW, with the addition of disc brakes in place of the original band-style brake. Batteries have been snuck away in period-looking panniers, hosting 2.7kWh removable batteries that can be changed from a three-pin socket in two and half hours or on the go. The ’bikes can be ridden on full electric power, petrol or as a hybrid. 

A third Harley-Davidson, a 1921 Model FD, had its seized engine replaced entirely with an electric motor. 

“When Jason outlined his concept of a petrol Harley with an electric motor in the rear wheel,” Electronic’s Steve Drummond said, “we researched the technical options and the only company in the world that manufactures a motor that is powerful enough is Maeving. Maeving was kind enough to sell us some units, and the Harleys use the UK-based company’s removable battery packs too. 

“Getting it to all work, and work seamlessly, required a great deal of research and development and extensive calibration. We’re delighted with the results; they offer a unique riding experience, and the acceleration when you select second gear whilst cruising on combined petrol and electric power is addictive!” 

“This is the best thing we’ve ever made,” Momoa added. “Unbelievable. It’s so smooth. I’ve ridden on an e-bike before, I’ve ridden on e-bicycles, I’ve ridden on e-motorcycles, but the idea of riding on an old [electrified] bike, it was just unlike anything I’ve experienced."

Electrogenic has productionised the solution and is available as a kit. See: electrogenic.co.uk.

The process is documented in season two of On the Roam, Jason Momoa's documentary series on HBO Max and Discovery+.