Zero

2006
Where it All Began: The “Drift” Makes its Debut
In the tradition of the California tech industry, Zero Motorcycles (then called Electricross) is born in Scotts Valley, California, just up the road from Santa Cruz, by an enthusiast, aeronautical engineer, and innovator, Neal Saiki. At the time, there isn’t a single mass-produced electric car or motorcycle on the market. (The documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” had just launched.) The powerful bike, which weighs just 140 pounds, is thrilling to ride and revolutionary for its time. An example hangs proudly on our production floor today.

Modest Beginnings: The Electricross Store Opens
With the buzz growing around the Drift, on June 11, Electricross opens a modest Scotts Valley, California, store. The Santa Cruz action sports community embraces the new technology. Neal starts a two-wheel revolution, exciting everyone from local pro mountain bikers to dirt bikers looking for something to quietly ride in their backyards.

2007
A New Name: Electricross Becomes Zero Motorcycles
The classic logo launches, highlighting “Zero emissions.”

Our “DNA”: Development of the First Zero
Zero focuses on off-road bikes as the best way to break into the motorcycle market. While the motorcycles don’t have a high top speed or extensive range, the electric powertrain is powerful and quiet, opening new riding possibilities.

2008
A Growing Company: We Reach 25 Employees
Zero Motorcycles moves into a new building in Scotts Valley, California, and reaches 25 employees. There are just two offices, one for the founder and one for the CEO. Manufacturing is directly adjacent to them. The increasing momentum behind Zero leads to a partnership with our primary investor, which has propelled Zero’s growth to this day.

2009
Taking it to the Streets: Zero Launches First Street-Legal Motorcycle
The Zero S is the first electric street motorcycle to go into mass production. While the range and top speed are limited to 50 miles and 60 mph, the bike is global news. The Zero S also includes an all-new chassis and bodywork, and is quickly followed by the release of the Zero DS for those who want a street-legal motorcycle they can ride in the dirt. “For the first time, these were real, mass produced motorcycles,” says Abe Askenazi, Chief Technology Officer and Product Manager, who came from Buell Motorcycles.

Getting Air: Introducing the Zero MX
Designed with more robust suspension, the Zero MX allows more aggressive off-road riders to jump higher and land softer.

Across the Pond: Zero Opens European Offices in Holland
Europe, with its higher energy prices, dense urban areas, and vibrant two-wheeled culture, create a perfect situation for Zero’s first foray overseas.

Hey Mate! Zero Enters the Australian Market
Zero had already been selling its off-road X and MX models in Australia for about a year, but the arrival of the S and DS models marks the first availability of street-legal electric motorcycles in the country. The launch down under is highlighted by electric trials riding at the Sydney motorcycle show.

2010
Zero Goes Road Racing: We Win the First North American Electric Superbike Race
Zero Motorcycles joins forces with Agni Motors to win the first-ever TTXGP eGrand Prix at Sonoma Raceway in California, with rider Sean Higbee. The company had already gained a huge racing resource when it hired Kenyon Kluge (now Director of Electrical Engineering) in 2008. Besides his skills as an electrical engineer from nearby Silicon Valley, Kenyon was a nationally ranked road racer and former AFM 750 champion on gas bikes. It didn’t take long for him to put his skills to work representing Zero, and he wins the first-ever TTX75 class, riding a production-based Zero. He also becomes a dominant rider in the follow-up series, called eSuperstock. “My belief has always been that there is no better way to test than racing,” says Kenyon. “So we raced every chance we got.”

2011
No Place to Charge? No Problem. Introducing the Zero XU
The Zero XU is introduced as the ultimate urban commuter. It’s our first street bike featuring a removable power pack so city dwellers can charge their batteries away from the motorcycle. We also introduce a “quick charge” accessory. Meanwhile, our Zero S and DS models continue to expand the boundaries of range and power.

The Stealth Solution: Zero’s First Police Motorcycles
It didn’t take long for police departments to discover the advantages of electric motorcycles for security, event safety, and crowd control. With no gears, clutch, or noise, Zeros are ideal for patrolling. Our local Scotts Valley, California, police department is first, in 2011. Today, more than 80 police and parks departments across the country use Zeros for their daily work, and we’re proud to help them serve.

2012
The Magic Century Mark: Zero Achieves 100 Miles of Range
This year represents a huge leap forward, by almost every measure. For the first time, range reaches triple digits for city riding: 114 miles. This is due to new battery technology that utilizes “pouch” instead of cylindrical cells. In addition, battery life (based on charge cycles) can now easily outlast the life of the motorcycle. The bikes herald the arrival of a “brushless” motor and controller for simplicity and reliability. Cast wheels are used for the first time, and the bikes have all-new styling. In some form, much of this technology is still in use today.

No Stopping Us Now: Zero Achieves 240% Growth in First Quarter
Zero appoints more than 50 new dealers in North America alone. Many of them are top 100, multi-line dealers and are recognized as some of the most professional and forward-thinking dealers in the industry.

Salt Flats Success: Zero Sets a Speed Record
A Zero sets a world speed record for electric motorcycles at the renowned Bonneville Salt Flats, achieving an average of 101.652 mph for a one-mile distance. “Zero electric motorcycles are the fastest production bikes on the planet [for 2012],” says rider Brandon Miller, riding a Zero S ZF6.

You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide: Zero Launches Military Motorcycles
It’s only natural that Zeros are selected for covert military use, thanks to their stealth and speed. Special military bikes generally include custom tires, switchgear, and swappable batteries. We’d tell you more, but we’d have to kill you.

2013
Z-Force Awakens: All-New Battery, Motor, and App
Zero technology takes a huge leap forward, launching the “cellbox” battery architecture that it uses today. This enables a single battery to be used as a “building block” for every motorcycle model, including those with replaceable (modular) batteries, or varying capacities (three or four “brick” designs). The entire Zero powertrain system is optimized to 102 volts. A new, proprietary and patented high-efficiency, air-cooled motor is launched, as well as a Bluetooth app that enables users to customize performance parameters via smartphone.

Race to the Clouds: Zero and Hollywood Electrics Win Pikes Peak
For the first time, the famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb includes an electric motorcycle division. Electric vehicles are ideally suited to the harrowing, 10-12-minute “Race to the Clouds,” which takes place every June in Colorado, because they don’t experience power loss in the thin air at 14,000 feet. Zero and prominent dealer/partner Hollywood Electrics team up to win the production class in its inaugural run, and have done so every year since.

2014
A Banner Year for the Zero SR: Triple-Digit Top Speed and Torque
Zero’s most powerful model, the SR, now boasts 106 ft-lb of torque, a stump-pulling figure that’s exceeded by only a few production motorcycles, of any kind. It’s also capable of going from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 102 mph. We introduce the Power Tank accessory, adding significant range.

2015
We Have Arrived: Zero Adds New Suspension, ABS Brakes
Zero steps squarely into the mainstream motorcycle market with addition of top-shelf parts like Pirelli tires and fully adjustable Showa suspension. In a first for production electric motorcycles, Bosch ABS braking is made standard across the street-legal line, adding a huge measure of safety and control.

2016
Hooligans Rejoice: Zero Goes Supermoto
Capitalizing on the growing “supermoto” trend, Zero introduces the FXS. Weighing less than 300 pounds and offering 70 ft-lb of torque, the bike turns the most mundane city streets into an urban playground. Another new model, the DSR, offers 106 ft-lb of torque in a go-anywhere, dual-sport platform. A new, Z-Force IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) motor offers simplicity, durability, and improved performance during prolonged, hard riding. And that isn’t all: the company introduces the Charge Tank, a fast-charging option that allows the use of increasingly common Level 2 public charging stations, reducing charge time to two to three hours.

2019
Zero launches the all new SR/F model. A complete ground up new model setting a new standard for electric motorcycles around the world.

2020
Zero launches its first full faired electric motorcycle, the SR/S. Based on the successful SR/F platform, the SR/S allows the rider a 13% improvement on range when tucking in behind the SR/S fairing.