Zero XE. Image Credit: Zero Motorcycles.
I have some delightful news from the world of two-wheeled electric wonderment! You know Zero Motorcycles, right? The fancy-pants electric bike company that usually makes motorcycles priced like a small sedan? Well, it seems they've finally dipped their toes into the "affordable" end of the pool. And by "affordable," I mean you might not have to sell a kidney to get one. Maybe just a pinky toe.
For years, Zero has been strutting around with their high-performance electric beasts, usually with price tags that made my eyes water a little, ranging from about fifteen to twenty-five thousand dollars. Lovely bikes, mind you, if your trust fund is sufficiently robust. But for those of us who enjoy a good ride without taking out a second mortgage, they were more of a dream than a reality.
But the clever guys at Zero have announced that production is officially underway for their new XE and XB models! And Zero themselves are practically shouting from the rooftops (or at least their social media channels) that "Bikes are rolling and the wait is almost over!" Honestly, you'd think they just invented sliced bread, but I suppose for those of us who've been waiting for a more accessible electric motorcycle, it kinda feels like it.
Why the sudden shift to the more budget-friendly side of things? It seems even the big players like Zero noticed that there's a growing market out there for smaller, less intimidating electric dirt bikes, a segment currently dominated by brands like Sur Ron and Talaria. It's like they finally realized that not everyone wants to go Mach 2 on two wheels. Sometimes, you just want to putt-putt around without making your neighbors think a jet engine just took off from your garage.
Zero XE. Image Credit: Zero Motorcycles.
The company insists their California-based engineers had a hand in designing these, using a "simplified version" of Zero's fancy Z-Force powertrain. Though, if you're like me and have a keen eye, you might have noticed a few "Chinese-origin" parts and stickers at the unveiling, some with English that seemed to have gone through a particularly enthusiastic online translator. But I'm sure the production models rolling off the line now have had a bit of a polish.
The Zero XE, the bigger sibling, comes with a rather impressive 4.3 kWh removable battery. That's actually one of the largest removable batteries in the industry. You can pop it out and charge it up in your kitchen while you sip your morning coffee. This battery juices up a 15.5 kilowatt, or about 21 horsepower, air-cooled motor. This little firecracker can propel you up to 53 miles per hour. Not exactly breakneck speed, but certainly enough to get the wind in your hair and a smile on your face. This bike weighs in at 223 pounds and has a seat height of 35.4 inches. The battery, by the way, takes about 5.5 hours to fully charge.
Zero XB. Image Credit: Zero Motorcycles.
Then there's the smaller Zero XB. She's a bit more demure, with a 7.5 kilowatt, or 10 horsepower, motor. This one, too, has an easily removable battery, but as expected, it is a bit smaller at 2.4 kWh. Her top speed is a more sedate 28 miles per hour, making her a perfect companion for those who want to hone their off-road skills, perhaps practice a few jumps, or just enjoy a leisurely trail ride without feeling the need for speed. Zero claims she'll go about 47 miles on a single charge, but as we all know with electric vehicles, the real-world range can be a bit elastic. This nimble little thing tips the scales at just 139 pounds and has a more approachable seat height of 32.7 inches. Charging time for the XB's battery is a speedy 3 hours.
The Zero XB, the smaller of the two, will set you back a modest (for Zero, anyway) $4,395. The slightly beefier XE comes in at $6,495. Aren't those prices just adorable? They're practically in the "treat yourself" category, rather than the "sell the family heirlooms" category.
Zero XB. Image Credit: Zero Motorcycles.
Of course, there's always a catch, isn't there? In the good ol' U.S. of A., these little electric hooligans aren't exactly street-legal. So, if you were dreaming of buzzing down Main Street on your new Zero, you might have to adjust your expectations. Unless, of course, you live in Europe, where these models are indeed homologated for public roads. See? Sometimes, it pays to live across the pond.
Zero is very clear about these bikes: they aren't meant to steal the thunder from their high-end models. No, no, no. Think of them as a delightful stepping stone into the world of electric motorcycling. Perfect for new riders who aren't quite ready for a superbike, or for those urban commuters who just need a zippy little something to get around town. As long as you're an urban commuter in Europe.
