Zero Motorcycles is a pioneer in electric motorcycles. On the occasion of the SR / S release, the editorial staff met with Umberto Uccelli, its managing director for Europe. it takes stock of the brand and the place of the electric motorcycle.
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The motorized two-wheeler market is doing well at the start of 2020. According to the expertise firm AAA DATA, growth has been extremely strong: 24%, or 26,962 motorcycles sold between January and February 2020. Among these 26,962 motorcycles, there are 506 two-wheelers 100% electric, representing a growth of 63% in two months.
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Between January and March 2020, electric scooters pulled the market up with notably the BMW C-EVO (133 copies), followed by the Oral Ecooter (x70), the Efun Pulse (x 59), the Super Socco (x57) and Niu NGT (x 52).
But what about real electric motorcycles? With less volume, the sector is dominated by Super Soco and its TC (61 units), followed by the Harley-Davidson LiveWire (23 units) and Electric Motion (19 units). But in this ranking of the top ten manufacturers, Zero Motorcycles is mentioned five times, via its S, SR, DS and DSR range, all intended for urban use. Between January and March 2020, Zero Motorcycles sold its biggest market in front of Germany in France, 78 motorcycles – all models combined.
Created in 2006, Zero Motorcycles can appear as the Tesla of the electric motorcycle, with in particular an extended range. The objective remains the same: to make the electric pleasant and accessible, without sacrificing performance. To achieve its goals, the American manufacturer raised $ 250 million last year. This has been quite successful for him, since he sells between 2,000 and 10,000 models each year (source Point) since its creation in 2006.
The Californian brand is a pioneer in the sector. She got the better of Harley-Davidson and her LiveWire. On the Japanese side, prototypes follow one another. In Europe, only the Italian Energica and its three models, Ego, Eva Ribelle and Eva EsseEsse 9, could overshadow the American. Unfortunately, with prices ranging from € 16,380 to € 25,000, Energica does not play on the same register, namely making electricity accessible.
With the arrival of a more sporty model, the SR / S last February, Zero Motorcycles seeks to seduce a larger segment of the biker population for whom the absence of noise and reduced autonomy are obstacles to purchasing. an electric two-wheeler. However, this mode of transport is a solution to take into account in new urban mobility, like bicycles and scooters, whatever some motophobic officials may think. Especially since with the implementation of deconfinement and social distancing, the electric motorcycle has a role to play.
Umberto Uccelli, Managing Director Europe of Zero Motorcycles, takes stock of Digital on the brand, the impact of the Covid-19, competition, …
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We work mainly from home and have a strictly reduced team in the office and in the workshops. All follow the strict sanitary rules to the letter. We are one of the first Dutch companies [siège europen, NDLR] to have taken all necessary health precautionary measures to combat the coronavirus.
In the United States, everything is going pretty well, so far. Although strict security measures have been implemented in most American states, only 20% of our subsidiaries have been temporarily closed due to the coronavirus. As for Europe, the situation is not the same. Only a few countries such as the Netherlands and northern Germany have adopted coronavirus health measures to keep working on a regular basis.
If a dealer in France urgently needs to repair a motorcycle used by the authorities, doctors or customers who absolutely must work in essential sectors, we will provide all the necessary technical assistance and assistance.
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France, meanwhile, has taken drastic measures in its war against the coronavirus. All dealers have closed. However, if a dealer in France urgently needs to repair a motorcycle used by the authorities, doctors or customers who absolutely must work in essential sectors at this time, we will immediately send the necessary parts and provide all the assistance technical and assistance needed.
Mostly, containment lifting is planned for early May. Orders prior to the coronavirus have been confirmed while new orders have been placed. I can say that there is a real desire to return to normal.
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They are very positive: the RS / S is a superb motorcycle, well built and fun to ride. On the other hand, on the reproach side, it is always the same thing that comes back, namely an autonomy that is not consistent enough on long journeys. It will take some time before this fear of breaking down[alsocalled”[appeléeaussi”range anxiety“in English; Editor’s note]does not disappear.
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It takes time to develop, test, industrialize and produce a real electric motorcycle. It’s not enough to buy a battery, an electric motor and put it all together. Many motorcycle manufacturers face far more challenges than they expected in developing new electrical concepts.
The four largest Japanese manufacturers [les Big Four : Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki et Yamaha, NDLR] are more inclined to offer traditional motorcycles with proven technologies. Anyway, we think they are preparing a full range of electric motorcycles and from time to time they show prototypes that they are developing.
As far as I can remember, the last ones were Honda at the motorcycle show in Tokyo in 2019 and Kawasaki at EICMA in Milan in 2019. Besides, Kawasaki revealed the name of its electric prototype, the Endeavor, as well only a few features.
As for the manufacturers of traditional Italian motorcycles, they are also working very hard on the development of electric models. According to their announcements in recent months, they should present some gear soon. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, it may be delayed. [Si Ducati s’est allié à Super Socco pour un scooter électrique, Cagiva –groupe MV Agusta- pourrait renaître de ses cendres pour une vraie moto électrique, NDLR]
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They are not. Take for example an SR / S in front of a high-end thermal motorcycle with which we will cover 10,000 km over the year [moyenne nationale,NDLR]. If we compare the costs saved such as maintenance, fuel, insurance, stickers and taxes as well as government assistance (up to € 1,000 in France), we see that the “cost of ownership” of our electric motorcycle is comparable to a thermal motorcycle, even cheaper.
In other countries, such as the Netherlands, aid can represent up to the full cost of the motorcycle: € 15,696 on a model like the SR / F. These aids are implemented via grants “MIA“(reduction on environmental investments) and”VAMIL“(progressive amortization on environmental investments) in favor of companies. In the best of cases, these subsidies allow almost to reach the price of the vehicle. Everything will depend on the characteristics of the company (type, income …). , the more you drive an electric motorcycle, the more you save.
But driving an electric motorcycle is not only a question of economy. It is also about having fun with its incredible power, and it is respect for the environment and its neighbors,…
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Electric cars cost more because of their development, their battery and their manufacture. More importantly, the lobbying of car manufacturers is better structured to obtain more aid.
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Motorcycles are always assets. A biker reduces road traffic and the problems of parking spaces, the time spent on journeys. Now with the coronavirus, there are even new customers ready to use our motorcycles to avoid public transport. Finally, using an electric motorcycle is not only reducing pollution and being able to access the city centers without having to pay additional taxes, it is also protecting the rider from any risk linked to the virus: gloves, helmet and social distancing !
Moreover, a report from the Federation of European Motorcycling Associations (FEMA), supported by the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC), underlines the interest of using “motorized two-wheelers as an individual means of transport, which will prevent many citizens from crowding together on public transport while limiting their influence on the road network“.
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Bikes have different cycle paths, different parking areas. These are excellent alternatives for short distances, but far from the performance and specifics of motorcycles. Electric vehicles, both motorcycles and cars, are designed to replace individual means of mobility. They are designed to become the solution, not just an alternative.
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In Europe it is the opposite. Tesla has great products and made the dream of the electric car possible. They are no longer prototypes but real products that people can buy and use every day. We believe Zero Motorcycles did the same thing but on two wheels. Our brand has been around for 13 years. It remains a leader in its sector because its credo has remained since the origins of the design and manufacture of two electric wheels.
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