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Zero Motorcycles

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Zero Motorcycles, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2006; 18 years ago (2006) in Santa Cruz, California
FounderNeal Saiki
Headquarters
Scotts Valley, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Samuel Paschel (CEO)
  • Abe Askenazi (CTO)
  • Curt Sacks (CFO)
ProductsElectric motorcycles
Websitewww.zeromotorcycles.com

Zero Motorcycles Inc. is an American manufacturer of electric motorcycles. Formerly called Electricross, it was founded in 2006 by Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer, in Santa Cruz, California. The company is now located nearby in Scotts Valley.

Zero electric motorcycle models include the Zero S (street), SR (street racing), FXS (supermoto), DS (dual-sport), DSR (dual-sport racing), FX (motocross), and SR/F.

Model history

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The Zero S began shipping in volume in 2010, the first model year to include the Agni Motor,[1][2] at which time the DS, a dual-sport model based on the S chassis became available. The XU, a smaller street bike with a removable battery, based on the same chassis as the Zero dirtbikes was produced from 2011 to 2013.

In 2012, Zero introduced the ZF9 Power Pack with the Zero S & DS models making them the first production electric motorcycles that can exceed an EPA-estimated 100 miles on a single charge.

In 2013 the Zero S and DS were completely redesigned.[3] The battery capacity was increased to 11.4kWh, and a new brushless permanent magnet AC motor was introduced. In 2013 the Zero FX dual-sport model with modular removable power packs was introduced. CHAdeMO fast charging was also available on 2013 models.[4][5][6]

In 2014 the optional 2.8kWh "Power Tank" became available.[7][8][9] 2014 also saw the addition of the Zero SR to the range, a higher performance version of the Zero S, incorporating more powerful controller electrics and a motor with higher temperature magnets.[10]

The 2015 models had battery pack size increased to 12.5kWh, for a total possible maximum capacity of 15.3kWh including the optional Power Tank. Also introduced in 2015 were standard ABS brakes and Showa suspension. CHAdeMO fast charging was eliminated as an option, leaving instead an optional quick charger accessory at added cost.

In 2016, Zero announced the DSR and FXS models. The DSR is based on the DS, but with the more powerful motor from the SR. The FXS is a supermoto version of the FX. Additional changes for the model year include the availability of a "Charge Tank" accessory, which is an on-board Level 2 charging system compatible with the J1772 plug. Battery pack size improved again to 13.0kWh (3.3kWh per FX power pack), for a total possible maximum capacity of 15.9kWh including the optional Power Tank. The air-cooled motors on the SR, DSR, and FXS were revised to reduce heat produced during high output.[11][12][13][14]

For 2017, all models have the interior-permanent-magnet (IPM) motor. All models also received a larger capacity controller which provides an increase in maximum torque and horsepower output, up to 116 lbs/ft on the SR and DSR models. All models but the S ZF13.0 (Already Installed) receive a wider, high-torque carbon fiber reinforced belt. Other changes for 2017 include a locking tank box and more durable paint on S/DS/SR/DSR models, and the ability for owners to update their bike's firmware through the mobile app.

For 2018 Zero introduced the ZF14.4 battery, available for the S and D models (alongside the ZF7.2 battery) and the SR and DSR models (where it is the only available option).[15] Until the introduction of the 2020 SR/F, traction control was absent across the lineup.

For 2020, new trellis-framed motorcycles were introduced, the SR/f and the faired SR/s, with higher performance, as well as 6 kW and 12 kW onboard charging options.[16]

Zero Motorcycles also produces a line of electric motorcycles for police, authority, and military use.[17] The fleet motorcycles are based upon the company's standard models but outfitted with equipment such as police lights, sirens, crash bars, and storage accessories.

In 2016, the company celebrated its 10th anniversary.[18]

[edit]
  • Close-up of earlier logo
    Close-up of earlier logo
  • Zero DS 2009
    Zero DS 2009
  • Zero MX 2009
    Zero MX 2009
  • Z-Force electric motor and lithium-Ion battery in 2010
    Z-Force electric motor and lithium-Ion battery in 2010
  • Zero X 2011
    Zero X 2011
  • Zero MX 2011
    Zero MX 2011
  • Zero DS 2011
    Zero DS 2011
  • Zero-S 2012
    Zero-S 2012
  • Zero S 2014
    Zero S 2014
  • Zero DS ZF 2017
    Zero DS ZF 2017

Powertrain

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Zero's Lithium-ion power packs and motors were developed in-house, and are branded under the names "Z-Force" and "ZF" (even though ZF is since 1915 the well-established abbreviation of ZF Friedrichshafen, a spin-off from Zeppelin that nowadays also offers electric drive-trains and motorcycle parts).

The Zero power packs use a cell configuration that operates at (nominally) 102 volts, which is well below the threshold of 200 V required for Combined Charging System (CCS) which is the most common DC fast charging standard, at least outside of Japan and China.[citation needed] Some electric motorcycle competitors like Energica and (Harley-Davidson) LiveWire offer CCS. In electric cars, 400 V are common, some new high performance vehicles use up to 924 V.

The motorcycles' propulsion is provided by a single electric, air-cooled, brushless, permanent-magnet 3-phase AC motor.[19][20][21] The motor is coupled to the rear wheel by a belt or – optionally on the Zero FX – a chain. A controller manages the power delivery and comes in 420-amp, 550-amp, 660-amp, and 775-amp sizes depending on the year and model. Zero has made their electric powertrain systems available to commercial partners.[22]

Racing use

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Zero Motorcycles has had success racing at Pikes Peak. Zero has won the production electric motorcycle class in 2013, 2014, and 2015.[23][24] In 2014 a Zero FX was the first production electric motorcycle to break the 12 minute mark.[25]

In 2012, Brandon Miller set a Bonneville Land Speed Record on a Zero S ZF6 model.[26] He achieved an average speed of 101.652 mph over a one-mile course. This beat the previous record for modified production motorcycles weighing less than 150 kilograms by over 23 mph.

Zero Motorcycles hosted an endurance racing event for electric motorcycles on April 4–5, 2009, called the 24 Hours of Electricross. This event was the largest electric motorcycle race to date.[27] The 10 teams competed on Zero X electric motocross bikes.[28] Team HotChalk set a Guinness world record for the furthest distance traveled on an all-electric off-road motorcycle in 24 hours at just over 500 miles.[29]

Racers have used Zero Motorcycles against gasoline motorcycles in a number of other forms of racing, including flat-track,[30] hare scrambles,[31] supermoto,[32] and supercross.[33]

Competitors

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Zero's main competitors were the now defunct[34] Victory Empulse[35][36][37] (formerly Brammo),[38] and halted[39] Alta Motors, but current and upcoming models from Evoke, Lightning, and Energica compete with Zero's product lineup.[40][41][42] Some of the larger OEMs have also released electric motorcycles and prototypes such as the Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle and Yamaha's PES2 and PED2 concepts.[43][44]

See also

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Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ Siahaan, Troy (30 June 2011). "2011 Zero XU Review". Motorcycle.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  2. ^ "TTXGP Zero/Agni || ZERO MOTORCYCLES". www.zeromotorcycles.com. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  3. ^ "Ride Review: 2013 Zero S Electric Motorcycle". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  4. ^ Yoney, Domenick. "2013 Zero Motorcycles lineup goes faster and farther, charges with CHAdeMO". Autoblog. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  5. ^ Tibu, Florin (2012-10-04). "2013 Zero S Bike Gets CHAdeMO Charging - Photo Gallery". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  6. ^ Harley, Bryan (October 2, 2012). "2013 Zero Motorcycles Double HP, Fast Charge". Motorcycle USA. Archived from the original on Mar 5, 2016. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  7. ^ "Z-Force® Power Tank [10-06713+] - $2,495.00 : Zero Motorcycles, Electric Motorcycle Company". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  8. ^ Yoney, Domenick. "Zero Motorcycles reveals 2014 lineup with SR variant, Power Tank range extender [w/videos]". Autoblog. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  9. ^ "2014 Zero S". Top Speed. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  10. ^ Burns, John. "2014 ZERO SR- First Look Review- Photos- Electric Motorcycles".
  11. ^ "2016 ZERO MOTORCYCLES – FIRST LOOK REVIEW". Cycle World. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  12. ^ Blain, Loz (2015-10-15). "Zero motorcycles announces improved 2016 models". Gizmag. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  13. ^ "2016 Zero Electric Motorcycles FIRST LOOK Review, Photos, Pricing | Cycle World". Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  14. ^ Wilson, Byron (December 9, 2015). "Zero Motorcycles' Ryan Biffard Explains New Z-Force IPM Motor". Motorcycle USA. Archived from the original on Aug 12, 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  15. ^ "Zero S Electric Motorcycle || ZERO MOTORCYCLES".
  16. ^ Jake, Bright (February 19, 2020). "Zero Motorcycles unveils new SR/S — a full-fairing 124-mph sport EV". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  17. ^ "Zero Motorcycles - Fleet Programs". www.zeromotorcycles.com. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  18. ^ "Celebrating 10 years of innovation". zeromotorcycles.com.
  19. ^ "ON THE RECORD: Abe Askenazi Zero Motorcycles' CTO explains everything you ever wanted to know about EVs—and then some". Cycle World. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  20. ^ "Going Electric Technology || ZERO MOTORCYCLES". www.zeromotorcycles.com. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  21. ^ "2015 Zero SR". Top Speed. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  22. ^ "Zero is the leader in electric motorcycles". www.zeromotorcycles.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  23. ^ Wire, The. "Pikes Peak: Zero Motorcycles Race Report (Video)". Cycle World. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  24. ^ "Zero Motorcycles Run Fast up Pikes Peak 2013". Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  25. ^ "Jeff Clark Breaks 12-Minutes On Zero FX At Pikes Peak". Gas 2. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  26. ^ "Zero Sets LSR Records at Bonneville". Motorcycle USA. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  27. ^ "Zero Motorcycles Sets World Record This Weekend at 24 Hours of Electricross". HuffPost. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  28. ^ "Zero Motorcycles and The Electric Revolution". 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  29. ^ "Scotts Valley company hosts record-setting electric dirt bike race". Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  30. ^ Rousseau, Scott (2015-04-18). "The Life Electric: Preston Petty". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  31. ^ Hicks, Eric (2012-03-22). "Zero Smashes Gassers". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  32. ^ "Zero FX Supermoto Racing Against Gas Bikes + Video - Motorcycle.com News". 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  33. ^ "Zero Motorcycles Dominates at Minimoto SX". Motorcycle USA. May 11, 2011. Archived from the original on Dec 22, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  34. ^ "Polaris Industries to Wind Down Victory Motorcycles Operations Strengthening its Position in the Powersports Industry". Business Wire. 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
  35. ^ "Brammo Empulse R vs. Zero S – Electric Motorcycle Comparison Test Electric bikes come of age. If you could ignore the price, you'd buy one... really". Cycle World. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  36. ^ Ets-Hokin, Gabe (October 14, 2014). "2014 Brammo Empulse R vs Zero S and SR". Motorcycle USA. Archived from the original on Dec 8, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  37. ^ Roderick, Tom (April 25, 2013). "2013 Brammo Empulse R vs Zero S ZF11.4 - Video". Motorcycle.com. Archived from the original on Dec 8, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  38. ^ Beeler, Jensen (2015-07-29). "Victory Empulse TT -- A Rebadged Brammo Empulse R". Asphalt & Rubber. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  39. ^ "Electric Motorcycle Manufacturer Alta Motors Ceases Operations". Cycle News. October 18, 2018. Archived from the original on Feb 2, 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  40. ^ Cameron, Kevin (October 18, 2014). "AIMExpo: Thinking Electric New Alta and Zero motorcycles jolt the imagination". Cycle World. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  41. ^ Schaal, Eric (2014-05-19). "6 Electric Motorcycles Ready to Battle Any Gas Bike". The Cheat Sheet. Archived from the original on Dec 8, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  42. ^ Steever, Bruce (Feb 17, 2015). "Electric motorcycle market: The OEMs ante up". Dealernews. Archived from the original on Sep 23, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  43. ^ Golson, Jordan (2014-04-25). "Yamaha's Exquisite Electric Motorcycles Will Soon Hit the Streets". Wired. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  44. ^ Bruce, Chris (Apr 23, 2014). "Yamaha PES1 and PED1 electric motorcycles headed for production". Autoblog. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
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