As part of Zero Motorcycles' new approach to accessibility, the California-based electric motorcycle maker is increasingly relying on strategic industry partnerships to help lower costs and increase manufacturing experience. Now we hear that one of the company's major partners, Hero MotoCorp, is discontinuing the Zero powered electric motorcycle model.
It gives a whole new meaning to “from Zero to Hero.”
Last year, Zero partnered with India's largest motorcycle maker, Hero MotoCorp, to develop a new electric motorcycle model. It's clear that Zero looked to Hero's massive production and decades of manufacturing experience, and it looks like that partnership is very close to revealing the fruits of its labor.
“Regarding EV motorcycles, as we have already talked about, which we are developing in collaboration with Zero Motorcycles. And that's something even though we haven't released a timeline yet, but the work is ongoing. And it will come in the middleweight division. I would say it is in an advanced stage. We haven't announced a timeline yet, but we will be looking at something that would not be too far off,” explained Hero MotoCorp CEO Niranjan Gupta during the company's Q2 earnings call with analysts.
While targeting the sought-after middleweight market, Hero has confirmed that the company will also produce an end-market version of the motorcycle.
Hero has big manufacturing letters to its name, but the company has no experience with electric two-wheelers. Hero has just two models of electric scooters currently available under its Vida brand, and there are no full electric scooters in the style that Zero is known for.
Zero and Hero haven't given any details about where such a motorcycle could land in the international market, but the company's latest moves can provide a few clues.
Last month, Zero announced that it had partnered with Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zongshen to produce the new Zero XE and XB electric motorcycles. The move comes as part of Zero's recently announced “All Access” program, built around adding more affordable models to the Zero lineup. Priced at just $6,494 US and $4,195, the Zero XE and XB are the most affordable Zero bikes we've seen yet.
There's a lot more where those come from, too. Zero says it will have six different models, all priced under US $10,000, over the next two years.
Based on the improved status of the Hero partnership bike, it is possible that such a model could be unveiled as part of Zero's All Access program.
with Fortune
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