Archives

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Zero is the first BEM manufacturer to achieve EPA Certification and meet both US and Canadian safety standards. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=236436)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Zero_DS_on_the_street.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Oct. 8, 2009

Zero S - $9,950 to start with a $995 tax credit available. Now EPA rated at an equivalent 455 mpg (equivalent) :)

Zero Motorcycles is now the first and only electric motorcycle company to achieve three major milestones. They have passed both the US and Canadian safety standards and attained a 'Certificate of Conformity' from the US EPA. As a result, buyers of the Zero S and Zero DS can now benefit from major government incentives. They can also feel confident in the motorcycles' superior engineering and environmental benefits. Under the proposed EPA regulations issued on Sept 15, 2009, the Zero S and DS achieve an equivalent of 455 MPG and generate zero grams of CO2 per mile.

"We are extremely pleased to be the first electric motorcycle company to have completed these rigorous testing programs," said Gene Banman, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. "Passing these tests allows our customers to save money while also giving them confidence in the design and safety of our motorcycles."

The Zero S is a fully electric BEM (battery electric motorcycle) that is built from the ground up around its all-electric drivetrain technology. It is a street legal Supermoto bike that is designed for local urban riding. The Zero DS is the dual sport version of the Zero S and can be ridden on anything from city streets to dirt trails. While performance usually comes at an environmental cost, the Zero S and DS are enticing to even the most environmentally conscious consumers. The motorcycles are not only zero emissions vehicles; they are also completely non-toxic and almost 100% recyclable. This unique combination of performance and low overall environmental impact sets a new high standard in the industry.

Completion of the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) along with the US EPA Certificate of Conformity means that the Zero S and DS meet all the requirements for newly created Federal tax credits on street legal electric motorcycles. It allows buyers to receive the 10% Federal tax credit and the state sales tax credit established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The fully homologated and government certified Zero S and DS are available for purchase exclusively through Zero Motorcycles' website. They are priced at $9,950 and for US customers this means a post Federal tax credit price of $8,955.

In a word YES!

But... I can't deliver pizzas with it. I would already own a Harley Trike (with the fiberglass storage box in the back) if motorcycles were approved for delivery but it's an insurance issue with the major pizza companies. :D - Dale

Interesting -- I didn't know about the insurance issue!

As nice as the Zero motorcycles are, I think I'd go for an X Rider (http://www.xgpinc.com/products/xrider.php) instead.

Wayne,
Have you driven one? If so, I have a bunch of questions!!

Interesting -- I didn't know about the insurance issue!

As nice as the Zero motorcycles are, I think I'd go for an X Rider (http://www.xgpinc.com/products/xrider.php) instead.

I would be much more interested if the pre-order page (http://www.xgpshop.com/products/x-rider) didn't mention shipping the bikes out in June of 2009. What is up with that??

Interesting -- I didn't know about the insurance issue.

With a few exceptions like college campus' with stores on the property are mopeds allowed like UCF in Orlando, FL. Also some stores in Hawaii I hear use mopeds. Franchises and mom and pops stores will be different. Sorry for the thread jacking Wayne.

And now back to our original programming. :D - Dale

Hi Craig:


Wayne,
Have you driven one? If so, I have a bunch of questions!!
___I have lifted the X up at the 2009 Chicago International Motorcycle show (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19386) and have done plenty of reporting on the entire lineup since their respective launches and market introductions. I have not yet however been able to ride one. I have requested that but as of this date, the Midwest rep has only picked up a DS (Dual-sport) with knobs and not the S that I was hoping to ride. During our upcoming LA Autoshow coverage this year, I might be able to swing an S for a day or two to find out about its actual range, top speed and handling but right now I just read the write-ups from afar hoping that one day it will be my turn.

___For more detail on the bikes, look in our Motorcycle - General forum as most of the Zero Motorcycle News items I have uploaded now reside there.

___I do not like the looks of the round halogen Zero placed on the S and DS nor its current draw but it was a somewhat inexpensive add-on until a much less expensive DOT conforming LED solution is available.

___Regarding the safety certifications, remember this is only a bike and the basic items needed are two brakes, turn signals, front and rear lights with a minimum amount of lumens and a minimum top speed. I am sure there are other attributes but bikes get away with murder compared to their four wheel cousins ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Craig:

___I have lifted the X up at the 2009 Chicago International Motorcycle show (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19386) and have done plenty of reporting on the entire lineup since their respective launches and market introductions. I have not yet however been able to ride one. I have requested that but as of this date, the Midwest rep has only picked up a DS (Dual-sport) with knobs and not the S that I was hoping to ride. During our upcoming LA Autoshow coverage this year, I might be able to swing an S for a day or two to find out about its actual range, top speed and handling but right now I just read the write-ups from afar hoping that one day it will be my turn.

___For more detail on the bikes, look in our Motorcycle - General forum as most of the Zero Motorcycle News items I have uploaded now reside there.

___I do not like the looks of the round halogen Zero placed on the S and DS nor its current draw but it was a somewhat inexpensive add-on until a much less expensive DOT conforming LED solution is available.

___Regarding the safety certifications, remember this is only a bike and the basic items needed are two brakes, turn signals, front and rear lights with a minimum amount of lumens and a minimum top speed. I am sure there are other attributes but bikes get away with murder compared to their four wheel cousins ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

When you get the opportunity, I'd really like to know:
1. Range when Hypermiling
2. Range when Hypermiling
3. Range when Hypermiling
...
...
11. Charge time at 120V at BOL
12. Charge time at 240V at BOL
14. Predicted cycle degradation curve with a 90%/20% DOD (sorry, I couldn't assign the number 13 to this request :D)
15. Electric Motor size (kW)
16. Max peak current draw
17. Max time at max peak current draw
18. Max continuous current draw
19. Reason for 55 mph maximum speed

Hi Craig:

___I can answer a few but others are Zero proprietary. Neil (owner, designer, engineer of Zero Motorcycles) is a secretive guy and you cannot blame him as everyone is copying his success as fast as they can punch out their own BEMs.

Q #1 – 12: The Zero S and DS are both rated at 50-miles but I suspect we can punch it up to 70 miles without to much trouble? They used to tout 60-miles AER IIRC but I guess they missed their targets like most BEV companies do when the EPA gets involved and says you have to drive high acceleration rates and higher speeds nowadays ;) I know a route from downtown LA through Hollywood, up into Beverly Hills and down to Huntington Beach that would probably “freak” the Zero Motorcycle guys out with a way out there range and I am hopeful to do just that :D

The motors are brushed DC to remove complexity, weight and costs and in doing so, lack Regenerative braking. Like anyone here needs that :D Tales from the road are saying there is absolutely no engine (I mean motor) braking which suits our driving styles to a T!

Q #14: Predicted cycle degradation curve with a 90%/20% DOD – I have no idea and Neil will not tell anyone where he gets his packs. I suspect there are a bunch of gutted 60 Ah Thundersky’s in the sealed box given the low cost and reasonable QC but that would be a guess. If they are, expect 3,000 cycles for a 10% CAP reduction at 80% DoD. 5,000 cycles using the 70% DoD you are looking at and one which few if anyone would actually drive to. These are lifetime units as far as I am concerned.

Thundersky 60 Ah Li-Ion cels (http://www.thunder-sky.com/pdf/TS-LFP60.pdf)

Even in below freezing temps, you can expect 80 + % of total cap and that in and of itself is pretty darn impressive in my book :)

Q # 15: Electric Motor size (kW): The base unit uses a 20 HP/50 Lb-Ft motor with an upgrade 23 HP German unit available. 17.4 kW peak draw.

Q #16: Max peak current draw – 300 Amps from the 58V Li-Ion supplied system.

Q #17: Max time at max peak current draw – I have no idea?

Q #18: Max continuous current draw – I have no idea?

Q #19: Reason for 55 mph maximum speed: Gearing to keep the motor cool. They have smaller front sprockets available to increase top speed to hopefully 60 which I would almost demand but it’s not much.

___All said, it is my favorite BEM given the on-the-road vehicles with quite a few success stories form those that own them. I do not like the $10K up-front costs for 60 mph but it would suit 90% of the riders and the cost to charge is all but meaningless art < $0.01/mile for anybody at CleanMPG.

___Good Luck

___Wayne