With electric two-wheeler sales in the doldrums, top full-power battery bike maker Zero Motorcycles is innovating with a new push to attract more car drivers onto two wheels. With the move to electric far more established in the four-wheel world, it seems that new customers might be found more easily there than by trying to convert petrol-obsessed ‘legacy’ motorcyclists.
The new scheme, dubbed “You’re Already a Biker and You Don’t Know It” will see the Zero S and DS 15hp A1 models promoted with CBT courses via Zero dealers. The idea is that car drivers with existing licences will only need to do the CBT to be legal on an A1 Zero and can then ride on the provisional bike licence with the usual restrictions – L-plates, no pillion, no motorway. If the bike itch gets them, they can then go on to get an A2 or full licence, or just do a two-yearly CBT resit.
It’s a bold step from Zero, which hopes that the appeal of a high-tech electric bike might make switching more desirable for drivers who might already be using an electric-powered car for short- or medium-range commuting. The 11kW/15hp models have a decent range compared to full-power electric bikes, with Zero claiming a top speed of 86mph and a range of up to 154 miles on the full-size Zero S and DS machines. At £15,300 for the S, or £16,200 for the DS, the price will be a hurdle for less well-heeled commuters.
Umberto Uccelli, European MD at Zero Motorcycles, said: “These new models solidify Zero’s position as the leading electric two-wheel brand. With just a CBT, car drivers can take advantage of an excellent price to ride a real motorcycle with real performance. Zero truly has a motorcycle available for every type and level of rider.”