#harley davidson hd electric concept

[ridertua]

Harley-Davidson Umumkan HD Electric Concept dan Harga LiveWire

Harley-Davidson Umumkan HD Electric Concept dan Harga LiveWire

RiderTua Motor – Dalam gelaran Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2019 di Las Vegas, Amerika Serikat, Harley-Davidson mengumumkan kehadiran sepeda motor listrik konsep. Selain itu, produsen moge ini sudah mengumumkan harga resmi untuk motor listrik LiveWire. Harley-Davidson umumkan HD Electric Concept dan harga LiveWire.

(more…)

[harleydavidsonbikepics]

HD Revelation trademarked by Harley-Davidson for possible electric motorcycle tech

Harley-Davidson too has jumped the electric motorcycle bandwagon and while it is yet to launch a production variant of its Harley electric, reports have emerged that the bike marker has already started working on trademarks.An application to trademark ‘H-D Revelation’ has been filed by Harley-Davidson with the USPTO. The trademark application, which was filed just under a week ago, will likely be used on electric motorcycle tech and not bikes. The application notes that it will be used on batteries and chargers, also including motors, transmissions and electric drives.Harley-Davidson has already made its electric ambitions clear by unveiling Project LiveWire concept in 2014; however, there hasn’t been any production launch yet. In January this year, the bike maker announced plans to introduce a new electric model in the next 18 months, which would be a result of Project LiveWire. The ‘H-D Revelation’ is something we could see finally being badged on an electric motor then.The name ‘Revelation’ has also been trademarked by Revelation Choppers, and while the trademark may not be valid presently, it may raise a concern for a Harley. That would explain why the bike maker has opted for H-D Revelation.More recently, Harley-Davidson also filed patents for three new model names – Bronx, Pan America and 48X. The bikes are expected to debut sometime later this year.Let's block ads! (Why?) Source link Read the full article

[gearcafe]

Harley-Davidson Electric Scooter Concept HD took a lot of flack over both the delay and the astronomical price of the LiveWire electric motorcycle. Maybe this nifty electric scooter can help make up for it. The motorcycle juggernaut intends to…

[liputanviral-blog]

Harley-Davidson Pamer Dua Motor Listrik Konsep

Liputanviral - Harley-Davidson akhirnya mengumumkan harga motor listriknya yang bernama LiveWire. Banderol yang ditetapkan mencapai USD29.799 atau setara Rp420 jutaan (Kurs USD1 = Rp14.117). Selain mengumumkan harga LiveWire, pabrikan asal Amerika Serikat itu juga menghadirkan sepasang motor konsep bertenaga listrik dalam gelaran Consumer Electronics Show di Las Vegas. Mengutip dari Motorcycle.com, keduanya kabarnya akan diproduksi massal dan dirilis antara tahun 2021 dan 2022. Pertama adalah HD Electric Concept 1. Tak seperti berbagai produk Harley-Davidson lainnya, yang cenderung berdimensi besar motor konsep ini justru mirip sepeda gunung. Tengok saja rangka dan kaki-kakinya yang cenderung kecil. Meski demikian, terdapat semacam tangki dan jok mirip motor bergaya tracker. Baterainya terletak di tengah rangka dan mengalirkan daya untuk menggerakkan motor listrik di bawahnya. Tenaganya kemudian disalurkan ke roda belakang menggunakan rantai. Motor konsep kedua, HD Electric Concept 2, lebih terlihat seperti skutik. Namun, dimensinya tetap tak sebesar produk Harley-Davidson pada umumnya. HD Electric Concept 2 dilengkapi dengan pijakan kaki mirip skutik yang mengapit baterai dan motor listriknya. Di atasnya terdapat ruang yang bisa digunakan untuk meletakkan barang bawaan. Selain itu, terpasang LED headlight bulat minimalis serta setang tinggi mirip sepeda. Joknya pun terlihat nyaman dengan permukaan lebar dan cukup panjang. Sayangnya, pihak Harley-Davidson masih belum memberikan informasi lebih detail terkait kedua motor konsep tersebut. Yang jelas, mereka berencana untuk memasarkan keduanya.   Read the full article

[williamsjoan]

Harley Davidson reveals more about its push into electric vehicles

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Venture capital, global expansion, blockchain and drones characterize African tech in 2018

Africa Roundup: Terragon’s Asia acquisition, Twiga Foods’ $10M raise, SimbaPay’s China payment service

Harley Davidson released new specs for its electric motorcycle and pulled the covers off the concept designs for its electric bicycle and scooter as the company’s push into electrifying its product line continues.

And the company showed that going electric doesn’t mean losing any of the muscle that’s intrinsic to the Harley Davidson chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected brand. In fact, the 2019 EV debut can out-accelerate any of the company’s gas motorcycles, according to specs released today at CES.

The battery powered LiveWire will do 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds, go 110 miles on a charge, and be available in US dealerships in August for a $29,799 MSRP.

“It’s one of our fastest production bikes ever. We’re also announcing H-D Connect, which allows riders to monitor battery charge status remotely via their smartphone and enables features like a GPS enabled anti-theft system,” Harley Davidson’s Media Relations Manager Jen Hoyer told TechCrunch.

The specs bring greater detail to the company’s pivot to electric, which will also see HD enter the e-scooter/bicycle space. Through a series of announcements in 2018, Harley-Davidson—an American symbol of internal combustion, chrome and steel—indicated it’s going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer committed to release its first production e-moto last year. HD followed that up with announcements of an expanded EV line-up—including bicycles and scooters—and opened a Silicon Valley Based R&D center in late 2018.

“The LiveWire represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion…and cellular connectivity to today’s rider,” HD said today in a release. Beyond battery power, the 2019 EV production motorcycle also differs from the company’s gas line-up in offering an automatic drive-train: no clutch no gears; just twist and go.

The e-moto is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a household outlet and can also be charged by a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. On charge times, the LiveWire gets 13 miles for each hour of charging using Level 1 and can reach 80 percent of charging capacity in 40 minutes at Level 3.

The new LiveWire also brings a signature sound — something of a hallmark on HD’s gas motorcycles — produced by the gear set between the motor and the drive belt.

Harley also released info on two new concept electric two-wheelers, resembling a mountain bike and a scooter, “that further explore the potential of urban mobility,” the company said. HD wouldn’t reveal any additional information on its non-motorcycle EV concepts or business plans, but it’s notable the historic motorcycle-maker also plans to enter the electric moped and bicycle space, where venture investors have deployed a great deal of capital recently.

“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility…Our vision for the future is all encompassing….for all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking,” said, Harley-Davidson’s CEO Matt Levatich on the LiveWire and e-concept releases.

Both are signs the 115 year-old U.S. company is willing to buck convention to appeal to a younger generation and remain relevant in today’s anything but static transit market.

Something needs to be done to revitalize a U.S. motorcycle industry that has been in the doldrums since the recession.

New U.S. sales dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008, with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40, with the exception of women—the only growing ownership segment. By and large, motorcycle manufacturers are now competing for an aging and shrinking American buying demographic.

E-motos could be a way to change that by bringing some segment of a more tech savvy younger generation back to motorcycles.

Some upstarts have entered the two-wheeled market with mixed success. Electric motorcycle startups Brammo and Mission Motors already tried and failed. And per TechCrunch’s reporting, California based Alta Motors—that had $45 million in VC—ceased operations late last year.

E-moto startups Energica and Zero Motorcycles have revved up U.S. promotion, distribution and sales. The two have extensive R&D facilities and roughly $90 million in VC among them.

The major gas names have been slower to embrace production EVs. Currently none of the big motorcycle manufacturers offer a street-legal, electric motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

With the LiveWire release—and subsequent two-wheel e-offerings—Harley Davidson will become the first major two-wheel player to do so. The market reaction and sales stats over the next several years will determine if the company’s e-motorcycle mobility bet pays off. HD’s entry into the e-scooter/e-bicycle space will also be a major development. Look for a TechCrunch update on that soon.

Harley Davidson reveals more about its push into electric vehicles published first on https://timloewe.tumblr.com/

[cryptswahili]

Harley Davidson reveals more about its push into electric vehicles

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Venture capital, global expansion, blockchain and drones characterize African tech in 2018

IBM Africa and Hello Tractor pilot AI/blockchain agtech platform

Harley Davidson released new specs for its electric motorcycle and pulled the covers off the concept designs for its electric bicycle and scooter as the company’s push into electrifying its product line continues.

And the company showed that going electric doesn’t mean losing any of the muscle that’s intrinsic to the Harley Davidson chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected brand. In fact, the 2019 EV debut can out-accelerate any of the company’s gas motorcycles, according to specs released today at CES.

The battery powered LiveWire will do 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds, go 110 miles on a charge, and be available in US dealerships in August for a $29,799 MSRP.

“It’s one of our fastest production bikes ever. We’re also announcing H-D Connect, which allows riders to monitor battery charge status remotely via their smartphone and enables features like a GPS enabled anti-theft system,” Harley Davidson’s Media Relations Manager Jen Hoyer told TechCrunch.

The specs bring greater detail to the company’s pivot to electric, which will also see HD enter the e-scooter/bicycle space. Through a series of announcements in 2018, Harley-Davidson—an American symbol of internal combustion, chrome and steel—indicated it’s going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer committed to release its first production e-moto last year. HD followed that up with announcements of an expanded EV line-up—including bicycles and scooters—and opened a Silicon Valley Based R&D center in late 2018.

“The LiveWire represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion…and cellular connectivity to today’s rider,” HD said today in a release. Beyond battery power, the 2019 EV production motorcycle also differs from the company’s gas line-up in offering an automatic drive-train: no clutch no gears; just twist and go.

The e-moto is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a household outlet and can also be charged by a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. On charge times, the LiveWire gets 13 miles for each hour of charging using Level 1 and can reach 80 percent of charging capacity in 40 minutes at Level 3.

The new LiveWire also brings a signature sound — something of a hallmark on HD’s gas motorcycles — produced by the gear set between the motor and the drive belt.

Harley also released info on two new concept electric two-wheelers, resembling a mountain bike and a scooter, “that further explore the potential of urban mobility,” the company said. HD wouldn’t reveal any additional information on its non-motorcycle EV concepts or business plans, but it’s notable the historic motorcycle-maker also plans to enter the electric moped and bicycle space, where venture investors have deployed a great deal of capital recently.

“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility…Our vision for the future is all encompassing….for all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking,” said, Harley-Davidson’s CEO Matt Levatich on the LiveWire and e-concept releases.

Both are signs the 115 year-old U.S. company is willing to buck convention to appeal to a younger generation and remain relevant in today’s anything but static transit market.

Something needs to be done to revitalize a U.S. motorcycle industry that has been in the doldrums since the recession.

New U.S. sales dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008, with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40, with the exception of women—the only growing ownership segment. By and large, motorcycle manufacturers are now competing for an aging and shrinking American buying demographic.

E-motos could be a way to change that by bringing some segment of a more tech savvy younger generation back to motorcycles.

Some upstarts have entered the two-wheeled market with mixed success. Electric motorcycle startups Brammo and Mission Motors already tried and failed. And per TechCrunch’s reporting, California based Alta Motors—that had $45 million in VC—ceased operations late last year.

E-moto startups Energica and Zero Motorcycles have revved up U.S. promotion, distribution and sales. The two have extensive R&D facilities and roughly $90 million in VC among them.

The major gas names have been slower to embrace production EVs. Currently none of the big motorcycle manufacturers offer a street-legal, electric motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

With the LiveWire release—and subsequent two-wheel e-offerings—Harley Davidson will become the first major two-wheel player to do so. The market reaction and sales stats over the next several years will determine if the company’s e-motorcycle mobility bet pays off. HD’s entry into the e-scooter/e-bicycle space will also be a major development. Look for a TechCrunch update on that soon.

[Telegram Channel | Original Article ]

[toomanysinks]

Harley Davidson reveals more about its push into electric vehicles

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Venture capital, global expansion, blockchain and drones characterize African tech in 2018

Africa Roundup: Terragon’s Asia acquisition, Twiga Foods’ $10M raise, SimbaPay’s China payment service

Harley Davidson released new specs for its electric motorcycle and pulled the covers off the concept designs for its electric bicycle and scooter as the company’s push into electrifying its product line continues.

And the company showed that going electric doesn’t mean losing any of the muscle that’s intrinsic to the Harley Davidson chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected brand. In fact, the 2019 EV debut can out-accelerate any of the company’s gas motorcycles, according to specs released today at CES.

The battery powered LiveWire will do 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds, go 110 miles on a charge, and be available in US dealerships in August for a $29,799 MSRP.

“It’s one of our fastest production bikes ever. We’re also announcing H-D Connect, which allows riders to monitor battery charge status remotely via their smartphone and enables features like a GPS enabled anti-theft system,” Harley Davidson’s Media Relations Manager Jen Hoyer told TechCrunch.

The specs bring greater detail to the company’s pivot to electric, which will also see HD enter the e-scooter/bicycle space. Through a series of announcements in 2018, Harley-Davidson—an American symbol of internal combustion, chrome and steel—indicated it’s going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer committed to release its first production e-moto last year. HD followed that up with announcements of an expanded EV line-up—including bicycles and scooters—and opened a Silicon Valley Based R&D center in late 2018.

“The LiveWire represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion…and cellular connectivity to today’s rider,” HD said today in a release. Beyond battery power, the 2019 EV production motorcycle also differs from the company’s gas line-up in offering an automatic drive-train: no clutch no gears; just twist and go.

The e-moto is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a household outlet and can also be charged by a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. On charge times, the LiveWire gets 13 miles for each hour of charging using Level 1 and can reach 80 percent of charging capacity in 40 minutes at Level 3.

The new LiveWire also brings a signature sound — something of a hallmark on HD’s gas motorcycles — produced by the gear set between the motor and the drive belt.

Harley also released info on two new concept electric two-wheelers, resembling a mountain bike and a scooter, “that further explore the potential of urban mobility,” the company said. HD wouldn’t reveal any additional information on its non-motorcycle EV concepts or business plans, but it’s notable the historic motorcycle-maker also plans to enter the electric moped and bicycle space, where venture investors have deployed a great deal of capital recently.

“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility…Our vision for the future is all encompassing….for all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking,” said, Harley-Davidson’s CEO Matt Levatich on the LiveWire and e-concept releases.

Both are signs the 115 year-old U.S. company is willing to buck convention to appeal to a younger generation and remain relevant in today’s anything but static transit market.

Something needs to be done to revitalize a U.S. motorcycle industry that has been in the doldrums since the recession.

New U.S. sales dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008, with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40, with the exception of women—the only growing ownership segment. By and large, motorcycle manufacturers are now competing for an aging and shrinking American buying demographic.

E-motos could be a way to change that by bringing some segment of a more tech savvy younger generation back to motorcycles.

Some upstarts have entered the two-wheeled market with mixed success. Electric motorcycle startups Brammo and Mission Motors already tried and failed. And per TechCrunch’s reporting, California based Alta Motors—that had $45 million in VC—ceased operations late last year.

E-moto startups Energica and Zero Motorcycles have revved up U.S. promotion, distribution and sales. The two have extensive R&D facilities and roughly $90 million in VC among them.

The major gas names have been slower to embrace production EVs. Currently none of the big motorcycle manufacturers offer a street-legal, electric motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

With the LiveWire release—and subsequent two-wheel e-offerings—Harley Davidson will become the first major two-wheel player to do so. The market reaction and sales stats over the next several years will determine if the company’s e-motorcycle mobility bet pays off. HD’s entry into the e-scooter/e-bicycle space will also be a major development. Look for a TechCrunch update on that soon.

source https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/07/harley-davidson-reveals-more-about-its-push-into-electric-vehicles/

[theinvinciblenoob]

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Venture capital, global expansion, blockchain and drones characterize African tech in 2018

Africa Roundup: Terragon’s Asia acquisition, Twiga Foods’ $10M raise, SimbaPay’s China payment service

Harley Davidson released new specs for its electric motorcycle and pulled the covers off the concept designs for its electric bicycle and scooter as the company’s push into electrifying its product line continues.

And the company showed that going electric doesn’t mean losing any of the muscle that’s intrinsic to the Harley Davidson chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected brand. In fact, the 2019 EV debut can out-accelerate any of the company’s gas motorcycles, according to specs released today at CES.

The battery powered LiveWire will do 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds, go 110 miles on a charge, and be available in US dealerships in August for a $29,799 MSRP.

“It’s one of our fastest production bikes ever. We’re also announcing H-D Connect, which allows riders to monitor battery charge status remotely via their smartphone and enables features like a GPS enabled anti-theft system,” Harley Davidson’s Media Relations Manager Jen Hoyer told TechCrunch.

The specs bring greater detail to the company’s pivot to electric, which will also see HD enter the e-scooter/bicycle space. Through a series of announcements in 2018, Harley-Davidson—an American symbol of internal combustion, chrome and steel—indicated it’s going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer committed to release its first production e-moto last year. HD followed that up with announcements of an expanded EV line-up—including bicycles and scooters—and opened a Silicon Valley Based R&D center in late 2018.

“The LiveWire represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion…and cellular connectivity to today’s rider,” HD said today in a release. Beyond battery power, the 2019 EV production motorcycle also differs from the company’s gas line-up in offering an automatic drive-train: no clutch no gears; just twist and go.

The e-moto is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a household outlet and can also be charged by a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. On charge times, the LiveWire gets 13 miles for each hour of charging using Level 1 and can reach 80 percent of charging capacity in 40 minutes at Level 3.

The new LiveWire also brings a signature sound — something of a hallmark on HD’s gas motorcycles — produced by the gear set between the motor and the drive belt.

Harley also released info on two new concept electric two-wheelers, resembling a mountain bike and a scooter, “that further explore the potential of urban mobility,” the company said. HD wouldn’t reveal any additional information on its non-motorcycle EV concepts or business plans, but it’s notable the historic motorcycle-maker also plans to enter the electric moped and bicycle space, where venture investors have deployed a great deal of capital recently.

“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility…Our vision for the future is all encompassing….for all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking,” said, Harley-Davidson’s CEO Matt Levatich on the LiveWire and e-concept releases.

Both are signs the 115 year-old U.S. company is willing to buck convention to appeal to a younger generation and remain relevant in today’s anything but static transit market.

Something needs to be done to revitalize a U.S. motorcycle industry that has been in the doldrums since the recession.

New U.S. sales dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008, with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40, with the exception of women—the only growing ownership segment. By and large, motorcycle manufacturers are now competing for an aging and shrinking American buying demographic.

E-motos could be a way to change that by bringing some segment of a more tech savvy younger generation back to motorcycles.

Some upstarts have entered the two-wheeled market with mixed success. Electric motorcycle startups Brammo and Mission Motors already tried and failed. And per TechCrunch’s reporting, California based Alta Motors—that had $45 million in VC—ceased operations late last year.

E-moto startups Energica and Zero Motorcycles have revved up U.S. promotion, distribution and sales. The two have extensive R&D facilities and roughly $90 million in VC among them.

The major gas names have been slower to embrace production EVs. Currently none of the big motorcycle manufacturers offer a street-legal, electric motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

With the LiveWire release—and subsequent two-wheel e-offerings—Harley Davidson will become the first major two-wheel player to do so. The market reaction and sales stats over the next several years will determine if the company’s e-motorcycle mobility bet pays off. HD’s entry into the e-scooter/e-bicycle space will also be a major development. Look for a TechCrunch update on that soon.

via TechCrunch

[fmservers]

Harley Davidson reveals more about its push into electric vehicles

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Venture capital, global expansion, blockchain and drones characterize African tech in 2018

Africa Roundup: Terragon’s Asia acquisition, Twiga Foods’ $10M raise, SimbaPay’s China payment service

Harley Davidson released new specs for its electric motorcycle and pulled the covers off the concept designs for its electric bicycle and scooter as the company’s push into electrifying its product line continues.

And the company showed that going electric doesn’t mean losing any of the muscle that’s intrinsic to the Harley Davidson chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected brand. In fact, the 2019 EV debut can out-accelerate any of the company’s gas motorcycles, according to specs released today at CES.

The battery powered LiveWire will do 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds, go 110 miles on a charge, and be available in US dealerships in August for a $29,799 MSRP.

“It’s one of our fastest production bikes ever. We’re also announcing H-D Connect, which allows riders to monitor battery charge status remotely via their smartphone and enables features like a GPS enabled anti-theft system,” Harley Davidson’s Media Relations Manager Jen Hoyer told TechCrunch.

The specs bring greater detail to the company’s pivot to electric, which will also see HD enter the e-scooter/bicycle space. Through a series of announcements in 2018, Harley-Davidson—an American symbol of internal combustion, chrome and steel—indicated it’s going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer committed to release its first production e-moto last year. HD followed that up with announcements of an expanded EV line-up—including bicycles and scooters—and opened a Silicon Valley Based R&D center in late 2018.

“The LiveWire represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion…and cellular connectivity to today’s rider,” HD said today in a release. Beyond battery power, the 2019 EV production motorcycle also differs from the company’s gas line-up in offering an automatic drive-train: no clutch no gears; just twist and go.

The e-moto is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a household outlet and can also be charged by a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. On charge times, the LiveWire gets 13 miles for each hour of charging using Level 1 and can reach 80 percent of charging capacity in 40 minutes at Level 3.

The new LiveWire also brings a signature sound — something of a hallmark on HD’s gas motorcycles — produced by the gear set between the motor and the drive belt.

Harley also released info on two new concept electric two-wheelers, resembling a mountain bike and a scooter, “that further explore the potential of urban mobility,” the company said. HD wouldn’t reveal any additional information on its non-motorcycle EV concepts or business plans, but it’s notable the historic motorcycle-maker also plans to enter the electric moped and bicycle space, where venture investors have deployed a great deal of capital recently.

“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility…Our vision for the future is all encompassing….for all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking,” said, Harley-Davidson’s CEO Matt Levatich on the LiveWire and e-concept releases.

Both are signs the 115 year-old U.S. company is willing to buck convention to appeal to a younger generation and remain relevant in today’s anything but static transit market.

Something needs to be done to revitalize a U.S. motorcycle industry that has been in the doldrums since the recession.

New U.S. sales dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008, with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40, with the exception of women—the only growing ownership segment. By and large, motorcycle manufacturers are now competing for an aging and shrinking American buying demographic.

E-motos could be a way to change that by bringing some segment of a more tech savvy younger generation back to motorcycles.

Some upstarts have entered the two-wheeled market with mixed success. Electric motorcycle startups Brammo and Mission Motors already tried and failed. And per TechCrunch’s reporting, California based Alta Motors—that had $45 million in VC—ceased operations late last year.

E-moto startups Energica and Zero Motorcycles have revved up U.S. promotion, distribution and sales. The two have extensive R&D facilities and roughly $90 million in VC among them.

The major gas names have been slower to embrace production EVs. Currently none of the big motorcycle manufacturers offer a street-legal, electric motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

With the LiveWire release—and subsequent two-wheel e-offerings—Harley Davidson will become the first major two-wheel player to do so. The market reaction and sales stats over the next several years will determine if the company’s e-motorcycle mobility bet pays off. HD’s entry into the e-scooter/e-bicycle space will also be a major development. Look for a TechCrunch update on that soon.

Via Jonathan Shieber https://techcrunch.com

[thehowtostuff-blog]

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Nigerian logistics startup Kobo360 accepted into YC, raises $1.2 million

Breaking down France’s new $76M Africa startup fund

Three e-mobility startups are accelerating into the U.S. motorcycle market.

Italy’s Energica and California based Alta Motors and Zero Motorcycles have revved up promotion, distribution, and sales.

You may see their machines zip by on American roads before the big two-wheel gas powered companies get EVs to showroom floors.

These startups could reboot U.S. motorcycle sales while shifting the global motorcycle industry toward electric.

The market

Since the recession, America’s motorcycle sector has been in the doldrums. New bike sales have dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008—with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40. [Chart: MOTOSALES] Most of the market is now aging baby-boomers, whose “Live to Ride” days are winding down.

Two bright spots in the space are women and resales. Females are one of the few growing U.S. ownership market segments. And per an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study, total motorcycles on the road actually increased from 2008 to 2017, though nearly 75 percent of registrations are for bikes over 7 years old.

So Americans are buying motorcycles, but for some reason not choosing new ones.

On the e-moto front, two-wheel gas manufacturers have mostly stagnated around EV concepts. None of the big names—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW—offer a production electric street motorcycle in the U.S.

Harley Davidson jolted the industry in February by committing to produce an EV for sale by August 2019.

On U.S. e-motorcycle sales, Global Market Insights (GMI) recently tallied 2017 combined American e-scooter and moto sales at 245K units worth $155M. Following worldwide trends, GMI projects that to grow to 598K and $304M by 2024, with the share of U.S. e-motorcycles to scooters increasing.

The startups and motorcycles

Alta, Energica, and Zero have niche markets for their unique tech and design.

Italy’s Energica is targeting the high performance, higher priced superbike segment. On disrupting existing market leaders such as Ducati or Kawasaki, “Of course we want to do that,” CEO Livia Cevolini told me.

Energica offers three models in the U.S.: the EVA ($26,240), EVA ESSEESSE9 ($24,940) and top line 145 horsepower, 150mph EGO ($26,460).

All three share innovative features, including a patented cooling system to optimize performance of their motors and high energy lithium polymer batteries.

08-01-2017 Torino, calcio campionato serie a Tim, gara Juventus-Bologna, nella foto: .photo damiano fiorntini

Energica’s proprietary Vehicle Control Unit syncs to a digital dash and MYEnergica app. The VCU regulates everything from power output and preset riding modes to ABS and regenerative braking.

As a member of the ChargePoint EV network, Energica integrates the group’s 20 minute DC Fast Charging tech “because if want to ride Saturday with your sport bike friends nobody is going to wait 2 hours for you to charge,” said U.S. CEO Stefano Benatti.

He explained the company is expanding its American dealer network from San Francisco, to Chicago, Florida, and New York. Energica is also entering racing. Its EGO motorcycle was named the class bike for FIM’s 2019 Moto-e World Cup.

Brisbane, California based Alta Motors focuses primarily on producing electric powered off-road machines. Four of Alta’s five models—including the three that are street legal—are specialized for dirt riding. The MX and Redshift MXR motorcycles are full on motocross racers.

The startup has raised $45M and counts Tesla co-founders Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard among its investors.

From a design perspective Alta’s two-wheelers are distinctly minimalist and produce significant power to weight. “We pioneered a new approach to building 18650 based packs,” Chief Product Officer Marc Fenigstein told TechCrunch—referring to the lithium-ion battery cells used by Tesla.

Alta recently launched its second generation—waterproof, 350 volt, 66 pound—battery. “That pack gives us unique…range per pound­­ for a battery pack and unique economics, not just for the world of electric motorcycles…but pretty much everything smaller than a passenger car,” he said.

Fenigstein estimated “the premium off-road motorcycle market is bigger than people think, at [roughly] $2BN.” He would not divulge Alta Motors revenue or sales figures.

Shortly after their EV commitment, Harley Davidson took an (undisclosed) equity stake in Alta, along with a board seat, and entered into a co-development partnership.

Alta’s CEO revealed Harley’s recent EV announcement “isn’t the program we’re working on”, but confirmed the Alta-HD partnership “should result in a motorcycle.”

Of the three startups, Scotts Valley, California based Zero Motorcycles has the widest market and model breadth. The company has six base models, three with dual sport capabilities, distribution in 30 countries, and had sales of $90M in 2017 (according to GMI—Zero wouldn’t confirm revenue data).

“We’re the number one full sized electric motorcycle manufacturer in the world. We sell more every year than all our competitors combined,” CEO Sam Pascheltold TechCrunch—though Zero did not provide exact figures.

Like Alta, Zero manufactures its EVs in the USA. The startup’s ZForce battery connects to an internal magnet driven motor. Both are governed by a proprietary Main Bike Board (MBB) processor “the brain…that houses all of our algorithms,” said Zero’s VP for Product Development Brian Wisman.

“The specific energy that’s achieved on Zero’s lithium ion batteries is far greater than anything achieved by automotive EVs right now,” he said.

Zero motorcycles connect via Bluetooth to an app that allows riders to monitor and adjust performance from devices. The company’s EV’s can be fast charged from charging stations or by plugging into the same home outlet that powers your toaster.

In addition to citizen motorcyclists, Zero has started specialized fleet sales to the U.S. military and police departments.

The ride

I got a chance to test models from all three companies. The most significant distinctions between their e-motos and gas two-wheelers are power delivery and no shifting.

Zero, Alta, and Energica’s machines are fully automatic—no clutch or gears.

Simply flick the on switch and twist the throttle to go. When you do an immediate and uninterrupted stream of voltage powered torque launches you forward. The wind is louder than the motor—though each e-motorcycle has a distinct sound—and when you stop there’s silence.

Energica’s big battery acceleration is akin to striking a lightning bolt to the pavement. Alta’s lightweight RedShift MXR is quick, nimble, and flight capable on a motocross track. And Zero’s SR feels distinctly balanced across power, performance, and rideability. I didn’t find myself misting gas motorcycles at any point of the tests.

The biz play

Energica, Alta, and Zero face their own steep climbs to profitability—and the e-moto space has already seen two flops in Mission Motorcycles’ collapse and Brammo sputtering out.

“We do have a burn rate. Like any sub-scale EV manufacturer such as Tesla, we are pre-profit,” said Zero CEO Sam Paschel. “The way to win is scale.”

And while these electric startups probably can’t revive new U.S. motorcycles sales to seven-figures annually—that would take 12 years of five percent growth—they could play a role in transforming the global motorcycle industry.

As their models close gaps on price, performance, weight, recharge times, and ride distance—Zero, Alta, and Energica could shift the market from gas to electric.

Their tech appeal and simplicity to ride could bring more first-time and younger riders into motorcycling, including women.

This — and Harley’s EV production commitment — could pressure the likes of Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati to produce electric motorcycles sooner.

These factors (and regulatory tailwinds) could thrust Alta, Zero, and Energica into an active space for partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Their compact, lightweight technology has application for other non-auto, non-motorcycle e-mobility solutions.

Growing competitive pressure and a shift in two-wheel consumer preferences could also make Energica, Zero, and Alta acquisition targets for mainline motorcycle manufacturers.

That’s a lot of speculation, but the big gas manufacturers are apparently watching. “Since Harley’s EV announcement, three of the big motorcycle companies bought one of our bikes,” an exec from one of the startups told me on background.

“We’d like to think they’re just curious to ride our e-motos, but more than likely it’s to break them down and study the tech,” the exec said.

from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/2zQhMkH

[un-enfant-immature]

Triumph releases e-bicycle but no word on e-motorcycle debut

UK motorcycle manufacturer Triumph released an e-bicycle today, the Trekker GT — with 90 miles of riding range, a 250 watt motor and a 504 watt hour battery.

With a five hour charge time, the bike weighs 52 pounds (24 kilograms) and can produce up to 60 Nm (or 29 ft-lbs) of torque. Triumph’s Trekker GT will be available for $3,750 at Triumph dealerships in the U.S. and abroad.

The question is how this connects to the ultimate debut of a Triumph e-motorcycle. The manufacturer, which is a major global supplier of gas machines, has yet to release an e-moto — but did announce an EV concept in 2019, the TE-1.

The Trekker GT appears linked to development of a production e-motorcycle by Triumph, through the company wasn’t able to provide a timeline on when that could be available.

“The launch of the Trekker GT is a unique strategy from our research into electric motorcycles,” Adam VanderVeen, Marketing Director of Triumph North America told TechCrunch .

“We’ve introduced this e-bicycle in response to the growth of the e-cycle market, while we separately continue to research motorcycle engine platforms, including electric powered.”

Image Credit: Triumph

Most of the big name motorcycle manufacturers —  Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki — have been slow to develop production e-motorcycles. That’s with the exception of Harley Davidson, which became the first of the big gas manufacturers to offer a street-legal e-motorcycle for sale in the U.S. — the $29K, 105 horsepower LiveWire in 2019.

The missing links to grading Harley-Davidson’s EV pivot

Austria’s KTM offers an off-road production e-moto for sale in the U.S. — the Freeride E-XC. Italian high performance motorcycle manufacturer Ducati hasn’t released an e-moto concept yet, but debuted e-mountain bikes in Europe last year.

Ducati, like Triumph, appears to view an e-bicycle as a soft-pivot toward the e-motorcycle market.

Meanwhile, Harley-Davidson has already entered the EV arena with several e-moto startups that are attempting to convert gas riders to electric and attract a younger generation to motorcycling.

One of the leaders is California startup Zero Motorcycles, with 200 dealers worldwide. Zero introduced a LiveWire competitor last year, the $19,000 SR/F, with a 161-mile city range, one-hour charge capability and a top speed of 124 mph. Italy’s Energica is expanding distribution of its high-performance e-motos in the U.S.

And Canadian startup Damon Motors debuted its 200 mph, $24,000 Hypersport this year. The e-powered machine sports proprietary safety and ergonomics tech for adjustable riding positions and blind-spot detection.

I have to admit, the release of e-bikes by major motorcycle manufacturers as a substitute for full e-motos is a bit of a yawn at this point.

We’ve been testing advanced EV models by Zero and Energica for several years now. And Harley Davidson’s electric pivot in 2019 should have served as a wake up call to manufacturers to bring full electric motorcycle concepts to market.

It’s notable that Harley-Davidson acquired a youth electric scooter maker, Stacyc, in 2019 and has committed to produce e-scooters and e-mountain bikes as part of its EV program. The strategy is to use these platforms to create a new bridge for young people to motorcycles in the on-demand mobility world.

With the Trekker GT, Triumph may be following that game plan in the run up to its first full e-moto. The difference is HD has already created an e-motorcycle to offer on the other side of the bridge and has new models on the way.

Talking to Zero Motorcycles’ CEO and taking home the 2020 SR/F

[un-enfant-immature]

The missing links to grading Harley Davidson’s EV pivot

As Harley Davidson rounds year one on its electric debut, we’re still riding in the fog on how to evaluate the company’s EV pivot.

The American symbol of gas, chrome, and steel released its first production electric motorcycle, the LiveWire last fall. The $29,799 machine is the first in a future line-up of EVs planned by Harley-Davidson — spanning motorcycles, bicycles and scooters.

The LiveWire started shipping to dealers September 27. It’s meant to complement, not replace, Harley-Davidson’s premium internal-combustion cruiser motorcycles.

The LiveWire has received mostly positive reviews from motorcycle stalwarts on design, features and performance. Two things are missing, however, to offer an initial grade on Harley Davidson’s first  production e-moto and overall commitment to electric.

The company needs to release EV specific sales data and tell us what’s next in its voltage powered lineup.

Stats

Seven months out from the LiveWire debut, there’s been plenty of speculation on how the motorcycle’s fared in the marketplace, particularly with pricing just short of Tesla Model 3.

As a publicly traded company, I was hoping Harley would offer EV data in its end of year and first quarter 2020 financials.

Harley Davidson’s Softail Slim, Image Credits: Harley Davidson

We didn’t see that. HD’s reporting on motorcycle sales doesn’t include a separate line for electric. Instead, LiveWire units sold are folded into Harley’s “Cruiser” stats that include some 16 different motorcycle models across HD’s Softtail and CVO lines. From the numbers, it’s evident sales in that category fell for Harley Davidson over 2019, but it’s not possible to know how Harley’s EV debut performed on sales floors.

I checked with a Harley Davidson spokesperson, who confirmed the company hasn’t released any LiveWire specific sales data in any form.

Source: Harley Davidson’s fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results

Without this info, we’re left to speculate from incomplete dealer feedback that’s made its way to press, including an October Reuters piece pinning LiveWire as a “flop” with buyers. To be fair, its difficult to find reliable e-motorcycle sales statistics anywhere, as the main source of data in the U.S. — the Motorcycle Industry Council — doesn’t compile or release them.

But Harley Davidson could and should give the public a better benchmark on the progress of its electric products by releasing EV specific sales numbers.

The market

The move to create an electric mobility line has been a bold one for the Milwaukee based company —which is steeped in tradition of creating distinctly loud, powerful, internal combustion two-wheelers since 1903.

With the LiveWire debut, Harley Davidson became the first of the big gas manufacturers to offer a street-legal e-motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

The move is something of a necessity for the company, which like most of the motorcycle industry in the U.S., has been bleeding revenue and younger buyers for years.

The U.S. motorcycle market has been in pretty bad shape since the last recession. New sales dropped by roughly 50% since 2008 — with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40 — and have never recovered.

Harley Davidson electric concept display in 2019, Image Credits: Jake Bright/TechCrunch

Execs at Harley Davidson have spoken about the LiveWire, and the company’s planned EV product line, as something to reboot HD with a younger generation in the on-demand mobility age.

While Harley got the jump on traditional motorcycle manufacturers, such as Honda and Kawasaki, it’s definitely not alone in the two wheeled electric space.

HD entered the EV arena with competition from several e-moto startups that are attempting to convert gas riders to electric and attract a younger generation to motorcycling.

One of the leaders is California startup Zero Motorcycles, with 200 dealers worldwide. Zero introduced a LiveWire competitor last year, the $19K SR/F, with a 161-mile city range, one-hour charge capability and a top speed of 124 mph. Italy’s Energica is expanding distribution of its high-performance e-motos in the U.S.

Talking to Zero Motorcycles’ CEO and taking home the 2020 SR/F

And Canadian startup, Damon Motors, debuted its 200 mph, $24K Hypersport this year, which offers proprietary safety and ergonomics tech for adjustable riding positions and blind-spot detection.

Harley Davidson, e-moto startups, and all the big manufacturers now face growing uncertainty on the buying appetite for motorcycles that could persist into 2020 — and beyond — given the economic environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This month Harley Davidson appointed a new CEO, Jochen Zeitz, to lead the company into the future.  On last month’s first quarter earnings call, Zeitz didn’t offer much insight on HD’s EV sales or future, except to say, “We also remain committed to…advancing our efforts in electric.”

Scorecard so far

Without knowing how the LiveWire did in the ultimate product test — getting folks to give up money and buy one — there is some scorecard feedback to register on Harley’s electric debut.

To start with the negative, the company really missed the mark on the $29K price. The messaging on the price and product placement has shifted a bit since I first started talking to HD on LiveWire. In July 2019, Harley execs gave the “premium product” jingle on how the $30K price was justifiable over comparable e-moto offerings, such as Zero’s SR/F, priced $10,000 less.

More recently a Harley Davidson spokesperson commenting on background, described the LiveWire as a halo product  — more of an attention getting model, and not priced for mass-market. Whatever actually went into the EV’s pricing, the consensus of just about everyone I’ve spoken to on the LiveWire is that it was priced too damn high.

On the thumbs up side, Harley Davidson did nail a lot of important factors on its electric debut. The company had a difficult task of creating something that bridged two worlds, at least in attributes and public response. The bike had to check out in features and performance as a legitimate e-motorcycle entrant. The LiveWire also had to pass the sniff test with Harley’s existing clientele, who are loyal to chrome and steel cruisers and aren’t exactly Tesla, EV types.

Image Credits: TechCrunch

Price and unknown sales numbers aside, I’d say Harley Davidson achieved both. I spent a day testing the 105 horsepower LiveWire on a track and pestering HD’s engineers on all the bike’s features, including its range and charge time. Overall, I found it to be a solid package across performance, design and key specs. Most of the motorcycle press has agreed.

HD also succeeded in engineering an e-motorcycle in a Harley Davidson way, including styling and creating a distinct, yet subtle, sound for its EV. I showed some LiveWire photos it to my grandpa — a loyal loud-pipes Harley rider since the 50s — and he responded favorably, saying he’d love to try one out. So HD’s electric debut did arouse the right kind of response and enthusiasm with the right crowds. That’s something to build on.

What’s next?

What HD has to do now with its electric program is show us what’s next.  And whatever the company releases, it must appeal to and sell to a wider audience, including millennials.

I could envision the company’s next EV product release including a scooter offering — registering Harley in the urban mobility space — and an affordable e-motorcycle with wider market appeal.

Harley Davidson EV concepts, Image Credits: Harley Davidson

And what could Harley’s next e-motorcycle be? I see it as something priced around $10K, lighter and more accessible to beginner riders than the 549 pound LiveWire, cloud and app connected with at least 100 miles of range and a charge time of 30 to 40 minutes. A tracker styled EV channeling Harley’s flat track racers — with some off-road capability — could also help HD hit the mark. Harley released a mockup to this effect, in its EV concepts last year.

Of course, getting it all right on specs, style, and price point will be even more critical for Harley Davidson in COVID-19 economic environment, where spending appetites for things like motorcycles will be more conservative for the foreseeable future.

Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire gave the company’s commitment to electric credibility, Harley’s next round of two-wheeled EVs — and the market response — will tell us more about HD’s relevance in the 21st century mobility world.

Energica CEO plots her Italian EV company’s reboot from lockdown

[un-enfant-immature]

Harley pulls plug on LiveWire production shortly after EV debut

Harley Davidson has halted production and delivery of its first electric motorcycle LiveWire, after discovering what the Milwaukee-based manufacturer described as a non-standard condition.

Harley Davidson told TechCrunch it is not recalling LiveWire motorcycles already on the road. Reuters was the first to report that Harley Davidson had stopped production and deliveries.

“We recently discovered a non-standard condition during a final quality check; stopped production and deliveries; and began additional testing and analysis, which is progressing well,” HD said in a statement.

“We are in close contact with our LiveWire dealers and customers and have assured them they can continue to ride LiveWire motorcycles. As usual, we’re keeping high quality as our top priority.”

Harley Davidson has not said when production and sale could resume, nor did it provide more information on the non-standard condition.

The production stoppage threatens to derail Harley Davidson’s bet on electrification. The $29,799, 105 horsepower electric motorcycle was to be the first of a future line-up of EVs from HD spanning motorcycles, bicycles and scooters.

The LiveWire went into production in 2019 after years of hints and even concept electric motorcycle roadshow. Delivery to dealers began September 27.

The LiveWire and subsequent EV products are meant to compliment, not replace, Harley Davidson’s premium internal-combustion cruiser motorcycles.

Inside Harley-Davidson’s EV shift with a ride on its LiveWire

New motorcycle sales in the U.S., particularly to customers aged under 40, have been in the doldrums since the recession. Harley Davidson’s revenues have dropped over the last decade. HD’s shift to electric motorcycles is a bid to hold down its loyal gas-motorcycle following, while creating products to appeal to millennial and the on-demand mobility market.

This puts the iconic American company in a position to hedge competition from a crop of e-moto startups — such as Zero — and jump out front as the EV leader among established motorcycle companies.

Now that strategy could be hampered by this production halt.

[un-enfant-immature]

Harley Davidson reveals more about its push into electric vehicles

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Venture capital, global expansion, blockchain and drones characterize African tech in 2018

Africa Roundup: Terragon’s Asia acquisition, Twiga Foods’ $10M raise, SimbaPay’s China payment service

Harley Davidson released new specs for its electric motorcycle and pulled the covers off the concept designs for its electric bicycle and scooter as the company’s push into electrifying its product line continues.

And the company showed that going electric doesn’t mean losing any of the muscle that’s intrinsic to the Harley Davidson chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected brand. In fact, the 2019 EV debut can out-accelerate any of the company’s gas motorcycles, according to specs released today at CES.

The battery powered LiveWire will do 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds, go 110 miles on a charge, and be available in US dealerships in August for a $29,799 MSRP.

“It’s one of our fastest production bikes ever. We’re also announcing H-D Connect, which allows riders to monitor battery charge status remotely via their smartphone and enables features like a GPS enabled anti-theft system,” Harley Davidson’s Media Relations Manager Jen Hoyer told TechCrunch.

The specs bring greater detail to the company’s pivot to electric, which will also see HD enter the e-scooter/bicycle space. Through a series of announcements in 2018, Harley-Davidson—an American symbol of internal combustion, chrome and steel—indicated it’s going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer committed to release its first production e-moto last year. HD followed that up with announcements of an expanded EV line-up—including bicycles and scooters—and opened a Silicon Valley Based R&D center in late 2018.

“The LiveWire represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion…and cellular connectivity to today’s rider,” HD said today in a release. Beyond battery power, the 2019 EV production motorcycle also differs from the company’s gas line-up in offering an automatic drive-train: no clutch no gears; just twist and go.

The e-moto is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a household outlet and can also be charged by a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. On charge times, the LiveWire gets 13 miles for each hour of charging using Level 1 and can reach 80 percent of charging capacity in 40 minutes at Level 3.

The new LiveWire also brings a signature sound — something of a hallmark on HD’s gas motorcycles — produced by the gear set between the motor and the drive belt.

Harley also released info on two new concept electric two-wheelers, resembling a mountain bike and a scooter, “that further explore the potential of urban mobility,” the company said. HD wouldn’t reveal any additional information on its non-motorcycle EV concepts or business plans, but it’s notable the historic motorcycle-maker also plans to enter the electric moped and bicycle space, where venture investors have deployed a great deal of capital recently.

“We’re at a historic juncture in the evolution of mobility…Our vision for the future is all encompassing….for all ages, from urban professional to exurban retiree, and from commute-minded to thrill-seeking,” said, Harley-Davidson’s CEO Matt Levatich on the LiveWire and e-concept releases.

Both are signs the 115 year-old U.S. company is willing to buck convention to appeal to a younger generation and remain relevant in today’s anything but static transit market.

Something needs to be done to revitalize a U.S. motorcycle industry that has been in the doldrums since the recession.

New U.S. sales dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008, with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40, with the exception of women—the only growing ownership segment. By and large, motorcycle manufacturers are now competing for an aging and shrinking American buying demographic.

E-motos could be a way to change that by bringing some segment of a more tech savvy younger generation back to motorcycles.

Some upstarts have entered the two-wheeled market with mixed success. Electric motorcycle startups Brammo and Mission Motors already tried and failed. And per TechCrunch’s reporting, California based Alta Motors—that had $45 million in VC—ceased operations late last year.

E-moto startups Energica and Zero Motorcycles have revved up U.S. promotion, distribution and sales. The two have extensive R&D facilities and roughly $90 million in VC among them.

The major gas names have been slower to embrace production EVs. Currently none of the big motorcycle manufacturers offer a street-legal, electric motorcycle for sale in the U.S.

With the LiveWire release—and subsequent two-wheel e-offerings—Harley Davidson will become the first major two-wheel player to do so. The market reaction and sales stats over the next several years will determine if the company’s e-motorcycle mobility bet pays off. HD’s entry into the e-scooter/e-bicycle space will also be a major development. Look for a TechCrunch update on that soon.

[un-enfant-immature]

Harley Davidson is opening a Silicon Valley R&D center to power EV production

Harley Davidson, the American symbol for internal combustion, chrome, and steel is going all in on two-wheeled EVs.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer is going electric and coming to Silicon Valley. Harley announced it will open an R&D space in the Bay Area by the end of 2018 to support its commitment to build electric vehicles.

“The real reason is talent,” Harley Davidson’s Group Chief Engineer Vance Strader told TechCrunch. “We’re after people who really have a passion for and understanding of electric vehicles and the systems that make them great. [That] sort of culture we’re more likely to get in Silicon Valley: the entrepreneurial, agile, nimble culture,” he said.

Strader also offered a preview of some of the features riders can expect from the company’s first electric motorcycle, expected later next year. Specifically around Harley’s world famous engine sound — something it attempted to trademark at one point. Strader said HD’s EV’s would have their own distinct sound, “but there’ll be nothing fake about the sound. It will be entirely generated by the vehicle.”

As we reported earlier this year, the company jolted the motorcycle world by announcing it would create an EV for sale by August 2019—a production version of its Project LiveWire concept moto.

Harley Davidson went further in June when CEO Matthew Levatich announced an expanded lineup of EVs, including lighter motorcycles and the possibility of scooters and bicycles.

To achieve these goals, the facility in Silicon Valley “will initially focus on electric vehicle research and development, including battery, power electronics and e-machine design, development and advanced manufacturing,” according to a company release.

Harley’s Silicon Valley move comes as e-motos could be at a pivotal moment in shifting the motorcycle industry toward electric. Three startups — Alta Motors, Energica and Zero Motorcycles — have revved up promotion, distribution and sales in the U.S. They are betting on pulling more gas riders to the e-moto experience and attracting more young folks and women to buying motorcycles—after years of contraction in the American market.

Shortly after announcing their 2019 electric production target, Harley Davidson took an (undisclosed) equity stake in Alta and entered into a co-development partnership.

[un-enfant-immature]

Harley Davidson to expand EV lineup, may include scooters, bicycles

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Update: EV startups Alta, Energica, and Zero could reboot the motorcycle industry

MallforAfrica and DHL launch MarketPlace Africa global e-commerce site

You’ll soon be able to get your battery running and head out on the highway on a variety of Harley Davidson EVs.

That according to news the Milwaukee based motorcycle manufacture will offer “an exciting portfolio of two-wheeled electric vehicles” in the near future, including a possible e-scooter and bicycle.

These EVs are an addition to Harley Davidson’s first production LiveWire e-moto— announced earlier this year and set hit showroom floors by August 2019.

So what new tech will Harley add to its predominantly chrome and steel internal combustion stable? “A broader range of electric models that are light, nimble and ready to tackle the urban landscape…available by 2022,” was the description an HD spokesperson gave TechCrunch.

Harley Davidson plans to make five production EVs in total, two by 2022, according to the spokesperson and an interview by Chief Operating Officer Michelle Kumbier.

Harley isn’t ready to “take the full cover off” yet the spokesperson said, but did share some indicative concept photos of one lightweight electric motorcycle, an e-scooter, and an e-bicycle.”

Harley’s EV development started with the 2014 Project LiveWire concept motorcycle, which will become its full-sized electric LiveWire motorcycle by next year.

The electric news came as part of a new growth plan announced by CEO Matthew Levatich to expand HD’s lineup of lighter motorcycles—including several new gas bikes—and push more aggressively into emerging markets such as India and China.

Levatich placed “enabling E.V. technology” squarely in Harley Davidson’s priorities. He said HD looked to “to create new riders” meet them where they are “in the cities” and give them “a cool product…that is much more twist-and-go”—a reference to  electric motorcycles’ no clutch, no gears design that also makes them easier to ride.

Harley’s revised focus comes as prevailing trends have brought financial pains to many big motorcycle makers, including Harley Davidson. Since the recession, America’s motorcycle sector has been in the doldrums. New bike sales have dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008—with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40.

As TechCrunch reported in February, and this recent e-moto feature, Harley and the entry of several e-moto startups could shake up the motorcycle industry.

Three e-motorcycle startups—Alta Motors, Energica, and Zero Motorcycles—have revved up promotion, distribution, and sales in the U.S. They are betting on pulling more gas riders to the e-moto experience and attract more young folks and women into buying motorcycles.

E-moto and scooter sales in the U.S.—currently 12.9 percent of the market—are expected to grow to 598K units worth $304 million by 2024, according to Global Market Insights. GMI projects global electric motorcycle and scooter sales to exceed $24 billion by 2024.

On the tech side, two-wheel gas manufacturers have mostly stagnated around EV concepts. None of the big names—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, KTM—offer a production electric street motorcycle in the U.S

Competitive pressure from EV upstarts—added to Harley’s EV production commitments—could pressure the likes of Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati to produce electric motorcycles sooner.

A shift in two-wheel preferences could also prompt fresh acquisitions and alliances in the motorcycle world.

Shortly after their LiveWire EV commitment earlier this year, Harley Davidson took an (undisclosed) equity stake in Alta Motors and entered into a co-development partnership.

However things play out, Harley Davidson’s commitment to produce two-wheelers that connect to wall sockets vs. gas pumps—and buzz instead of rumble—signals electricity could upend convention in the motorcycle industry.