[TusharK]

Hero MotoCorp has announced a partnership with Zero Motorcycles to co-develop electric motorcycles. The Indian 2-wheeler maker will also invest US$ 60 million in the California-based e-bike brand.



Zero Motorcycles was founded in 2006 by Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer. The company is located in Scotts Valley, CA.

Zero offers a wide range of electric bikes including the Zero S and SR street bikes, FXS supermoto, DS and DSR dual-sport bikes, SR/F and a motocross bike called the FX. The bikes come with a variety of battery and electric motor combinations.

Zero Motorcycles is said to be the global leader in electric powertrains. Hero would be looking to leverage this as it gears up to foray into the electric 2-wheeler space under its Vida brand.

[pkulkarni.2106]

Off topic, but what a contrast in the partnering company names. One's named "Hero" and the other "Zero".
Will be interesting to see what this partnership comes up with.

[jeepster]

Originally Posted by pkulkarni.2106

Off topic, but what a contrast in the partnering company names. One's named "Hero" and the other "Zero".
Will be interesting to see what this partnership comes up with.

The zero is in the game from 2006, not some lame startup.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_Motorcycles

[ramotra3]

I have been following ZERO Motorcycles for some time now. They are the best in EV motorcycle space right now. They already have some amazing products internationally. Here, a video by Gagan Choudhary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olAWcaeImg0

[TusharK]

Hero MotoCorp & Zero Motorcycles partner to develop premium EVs

Hero MotoCorp has partnered with California-based Zero Motorcycles to develop premium electric motorcycles.



Under the new agreement, Zero Motorcycles will develop electric powertrains and will leverage the scale of manufacturing, sourcing and marketing of Hero MotoCorp.

Hero MotoCorp had announced an investment of US$ 60 million in Zero Motorcycles, back in September last year. With their partnership, both companies hope to accelerate the transition of electric mobility in India and abroad.

Zero Motorcycles was founded in 2006 by Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer. It is said to be the global leader in electric powertrains and currently offers a wide variety of electric bikes including the Zero S and SR street bikes, FXS supermoto, DS and DSR dual-sport bikes, SR/F and a motocross bike called the FX.

Link to Team-BHP News

[maestar]

I hope Hero can leverage the competence in powertrain and battery of Zero to scale them into their future electric offerings. I also wonder what are they taking/learning from their investment in Ather other than that charging standard which was open sourced. If they can execute these strategic partnerships well then they can try their luck in premium segment also. I hope it does not end like the pricing of their vida scooter.

[AutoDowntowner]

wow, this is so interesting- Hero meets Zero. Excited to see their products on our roads.

[ProLearner]

This is very interesting. Zero is well established in the EV motorcycle space. And Hero could make good products for our market with this partnership. Their ICE business is going on majorly with the splendor, and the success from the Vida Brand is yet to be seen. Most people don't even know about it, and many think HeroElectric is of Hero MotoCorp.

We could get some proper EV bikes with Zero's years of R&D here, with the current market mostly made of scooters.

[TusharK]

Hero MotoCorp to build Zero electric motorcycles in India

Earlier this year, Hero MotoCorp joined hands with California-based Zero Motorcycles to develop electric 2-wheelers. The company has now confirmed that it would manufacture and sell Zero's electric motorcycles in India.



"We will be bringing the Zero portfolio into India, increasing access for the Indian consumer to the best of international clean mobility options. California-headquartered Zero will be manufacturing its products in India too," an official statement said.

Hero MotoCorp is investing US$ 60 million in Zero Motorcycles, which plans to leverage the scale of manufacturing, sourcing and marketing of the Indian 2-wheeler giant. The brand has a presence in North America, the UK and Europe, with products priced in the range of US$ 13,000 to US$ 24,000. It currently offers a wide variety of electric bikes, including the Zero S and SR street bikes, FXS supermoto, DS and DSR dual-sport bikes, SR/F, and a motocross bike called the FX.

Last year, Hero rolled out its first electric scooter, the Vida V1. It competes with the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak but is yet to gain a significant market share. Hero MotoCorp has also invested heavily in Ather Energy. It holds a 35% stake in the Bangalore-based startup.

Source: Financial Express

Link to Team-BHP News

[antz.bin]

The motorcycles made by Zero motorcycles are orders of magnitude more expensive compared to what Hero or for that matter any Indian company is making.

They will need to pull off something like a Hero Harley / Bajaj KTM Triumph to make any sense of the partnership.

Just for example sake, their least expensive models, the Zero S / Zero DS costs about $12000 and make the same power as A2 license friendly motorcycles like the RE 650s or the Honda 500s. The Hondas cost below $8000 and the REs come around $7000. Thats quite a stiff difference they have to overcome but India is where it could probably happen.

[PratikPatel]

This is exciting! If this really happens, I will book the SR/S as soon as they accept bookings.