Electric motorcycles industry calls for government support

With matching commitment from Zero, over $2m in funding will be made available to drive the company's continued research, development and assembly of 100% electric motorcycles at their California headquarters.

"The UK recently announced their grant on electric motorcycles and close behind was the USA. This is surely a message for the South African government to do something similar, not only for the new green thinking, from polluting vehicles to zero emission vehicles, but also the massive savings on fuel and the ideal commuting machine," said Craig Langton, sales director of Zero Motorcycles SA and co-owner of the Cayenne Group.

Bridging cost gap

Earlier this year the UK government announced that up to £7.5m will be set aside to boost the uptake for electric motorcycles and scooters and help bikers bridge the cost gap between a zero emission electric motorcycle and conventional petrol versions.

The grant could offer up to £1,500 off the purchase price and allow motorcyclists to reduce both their running costs and environmental impact. The move comes following meetings with the electric Motor Cycle Industry Association and leading manufacturers including Zero, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, BMW, Volt, and Mahindra.

"We thrive at the intersection of transportation, technology and energy efficiency," said Zero Motorcycles CEO, Richard Walker. "This generous grant, combined with the confidence of our investors, accelerates our global growth, expands Zero's local workforce and manufacturing capacity, and will fuel continued innovation across all of our products."

Zero was founded in Santa Cruz, California in 2006 and has been pioneering electric motorcycles ever since. Each year, the model line has seen great advancements in performance, range, features and value.

Assisting the state

"It's exciting to see Zero Motorcycles grow from a pilot production line we funded to an expanded manufacturing line through this latest grant," said Janea A. Scott, lead commissioner on transportation for the CEC. "Transitioning from older, higher polluting vehicles to zero emission vehicles - ones with no tailpipe pollution - helps the state meet its clean air, climate, and petroleum reduction goals."

The California Energy Commission is focused on promoting efficiency and conservation, supporting cutting-edge research, and developing California's renewable energy resources. Zero is committed to using the CEC grant to expand its production capacity through improvements in its manufacturing line, production efficiency and engineering processes.