Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and scooters for street, dual-sport, off-road, and urban commuters, selling through a global dealer network, direct-to-consumer drop-shipping, and a fleet program, with proprietary Z-Force powertrains powering consumer riders, governments, and OEM partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersScotts Valley, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Zero Motorcycles does
Zero Motorcycles, founded in 2006 in Scotts Valley, California by NASA-funded engineer Neal Saiki, designs, manufactures, and sells electric motorcycles and related powertrain technology. The company offers nine core models organized into four lines — the S Line (SR/S, SR/F, S) for street sport, the DS Line (DSR/X, DSR, DS) for dual-sport and adventure, the FX Line (FXE, FX) for urban/commuter use, and the X Line (XE, XB) for off-road — and in 2025 expanded into the European scooter market with the LS1. All vehicles run on Zero's proprietary Z-Force powertrain, which combines in-house interior permanent magnet motors, lithium-ion Z-Force Power Packs rated for 200,000 miles at 80% capacity retention, and the Cypher III+ operating system that controls throttle, torque, regenerative braking, and ride modes.
The company's go-to-market blends three channels: an authorized dealer network across North America and Europe for street and dual-sport models, a direct-to-consumer drop-ship model for the X Line off-road bikes, and a dedicated Fleet & Authority program for government and commercial customers (highlighted by a 300-unit deployment at the G20 Summit). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales at MSRPs ranging from $4,395 (XB) to $22,995 (DSR/X), supplemented by accessories, app-enabled upgrades, the Go Electric promotional rebate program, and consumer financing at 2.99% APR on the X Line. Zero has raised over $400 million cumulatively, including a $107M round in 2022 led by Polaris, Exor, Hero MotoCorp, and Invus, and is leveraging multi-year strategic alliances with Polaris (off-road EV co-development) and Hero MotoCorp (VIDA-brand electric motorcycles targeting 2026) to scale globally.
Zero Motorcycles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zero Motorcycles
- Legal name
- Zero Motorcycles, Inc.
- Website
- https://zeromotorcycles.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Zero Motorcycles designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and scooters for street, dual-sport, off-road, and urban commuters, selling through a global dealer network, direct-to-consumer drop-shipping, and a fleet program, with proprietary Z-Force powertrains powering consumer riders, governments, and OEM partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zero Motorcycles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Motorcycles
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991), Motorcycle, Boat, and Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (44122)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Motorcycles & Electric Scooters Manufacturing (IMACAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- E-scooters & E-mopeds Manufacturing (IMACAOAB), E-Mopeds & Light Electric Motorbikes (Consumer) (CRACASAG)
Keywords
Where Zero Motorcycles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Scotts Valley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Zero Motorcycles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Electric Motorcycle Sales: Zero Motorcycles generates primary revenue from the sale of electric motorcycles across multiple product lines including S Line (street), DS Line (dual sport), FX Line (commuter), and X Line (off-road). Models range from $4,395 (XB) to $22,995 (DSR/X).
- Accessories Sales: The company sells a comprehensive range of accessories including comfort items, design parts, power upgrades (batteries, chargers), apparel, storage solutions, performance parts, and garage equipment through its e-commerce platform.
- Financing Services: Zero Motorcycles offers financing programs including promotional rates (2.99% APR for 48 months for X Line) and competitive financing across the full model lineup, enabling customers to purchase through monthly payments.
- Rebates and Incentives: The company runs Go Electric promotional programs offering up to $5,000 off 2023, 2024, or 2025 model year motorcycles, combining with other programs for additional savings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero S - Entry-level street motorcycle |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero SR/S - Premium street sport motorcycle |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero DSR/X - Electric adventure motorcycle |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero SR/F - High-performance street motorcycle |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero DSR - Dual sport motorcycle |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero XB - Lightweight off-road motorcycle |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Zero XE - High-performance off-road motorcycle |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Go Electric Rebate Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Zero Motorcycles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zero Motorcycles designs, manufactures, and sells electric motorcycles and scooters built on its proprietary Z-Force powertrain (motors, lithium-ion battery packs, and Cypher operating system). Its product portfolio spans street (S Line: S, SR, SR/S, SR/F), dual-sport/adventure (DS Line: DS, DSR, DSR/X), commuter (FXE), off-road (X Line: XB, XE), and urban electric scooters (LS1), with pricing from $4,395 to $22,995. The company also licenses its powertrain technology to OEM partners and fleet operators through its Powertrain Systems business.
Product overview
Zero Motorcycles offers a comprehensive portfolio of electric motorcycles and scooters organized into four model lines: S Line (SR/S, SR/F, S) for street sport performance, DS Line (DSR/X, DSR, DS) for dual sport/adventure riding, FX Line (FXE, FX) for street-focused bikes, and X Line (XE, XB) for off-road electric motorcycles. The company also launched the LS1 electric scooter for urban commuting. All products are powered by Zero's proprietary Cypher III+ operating system and Z-Force battery/motor technology. Beyond consumer motorcycles, Zero offers Powertrain Systems for commercial fleet and authority applications, including partnerships with Polaris and Hero MotoCorp.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zero SR/S
- Zero SR/F Naked sport electric motorcycle with 176 miles range, 124 MPH top speed, and advanced Cypher III+ performance customization, powered by the Z-Force 17.3 motor.
- Zero S Street-focused electric motorcycle with 154 miles range, 104 MPH top speed, and 97 LB-FT torque, featuring a Z-Force 14.4 kWh battery; the entry-level model in the S Line.
- Zero DSR/X Full-size electric adventure motorcycle with 179 miles range, 112 MPH top speed, and 169 LB-FT torque, designed for on- and off-road exploration with a Z-Force 17.3 battery.
- Powertrain Systems Commercial fleet and OEM powertrain solutions that license Zero's electric drivetrain technology to other powersports manufacturers, fleet operators, and government authority customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 200,000 miles battery durability with 80% capacity retention
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Zero Motorcycles
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zero Motorcycles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
Zero Motorcycles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- SirrisminorPurpose-built suspension upgrades for X Line in partnership with Sirris including Sirris F43 CMX fork for Zero XB and complete F43/R46 front-and-rear suspension system for Zero XE.
- Hero MotoCorpcorePartnership to combine cutting-edge electric technology with large-scale manufacturing, aiming to create high-performance, accessible electric motorcycles for global markets by 2026. Hero MotoCorp's VIDA brand is co-developing electric motorcycles with Zero Motorcycles.
- PolariscoreZero Motorcycles selected as key partner for electrification in powersports. 10-year partnership announced in 2020 to drive the future of electrification in off-road vehicles. Polaris launched its first electric vehicle, the full-size Ranger developed with Zero Motorcycles, with deliveries starting in early 2022.
- REV'IT!minorPartnership to bring premium protective technical apparel to riders everywhere through co-branded apparel products.
- BDR (Backcountry Discovery Routes)minorPartnership to expand horizons of electric adventure riding through pioneering partnership enhancing visibility of charging infrastructure and advocating for eco-conscious exploration.
- Deus Ex MachinaminorCustom collaboration resulting in custom SR/S built by Michael 'Woolie' Woolaway combining Zero Motorcycles' innovation with Deus custom craft.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Zero Motorcycles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LiveWire (Harley-Davidson): LiveWire is Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle spinoff, directly competing with Zero's S Line and SR/F street lineup using a dedicated EV platform and Harley-Davidson's global dealer service network.
- Energica Motor Company: Energica is an Italian manufacturer of high-performance electric motorcycles (Ego, EsseEsse9, Experia) competing head-to-head with Zero's SR/S, SR/F, and DSR/X in the premium electric sport and adventure segments.
- Damon Motors: Damon Motors is a Canadian electric motorcycle startup (HyperSport, HyperFighter) developing premium electric sport bikes with advanced safety/rider-assist features, directly comparable to Zero's high-end S Line.
- Lightning Motorcycles: Lightning Motorcycles is a US-based electric sport bike maker (Strike, LS-218) competing directly with Zero's SR/F and SR/S on top speed, range, and high-performance street positioning.
- Cake (Cake 0 Emission): Cake is a Swedish electric two-wheeler maker (Kalk, Ösa, Makka) with strong overlap to Zero's X Line off-road and LS1 urban commuter categories, targeting lightweight, design-forward, premium EV riders.
- NIU Technologies: NIU is a leading global electric scooter manufacturer with mass-market urban products, directly comparable to Zero's newly launched LS1 electric scooter in Europe and adjacent to Zero's urban commuter ambitions.
- Gogoro: Gogoro is a Taiwan-based electric scooter leader with swappable battery technology and a strong Taiwanese/Asian distribution footprint, competing with Zero's LS1 scooter and adjacent to its swappable-battery X Line architecture.
Emerging players
- Talaria: Talaria manufactures lightweight electric off-road motorcycles (Sting, XXX) at price points that compete directly with Zero's X Line XE/XB, threatening the sub-$10K entry segment Zero opened with All Access.
Broad incumbents
- BMW Motorrad: BMW Motorrad sells the CE 04 electric scooter and concept electric models, leveraging its global dealer network and brand premium to encroach on Zero's urban and premium street segments.
- KTM / Pierer Mobility: Pierer Mobility (KTM, Husqvarna, GASGAS) is rolling out electric off-road and street motorcycles (e.g., Freeride E), directly competing with Zero's DS Line and X Line off-road offerings with a global dealer and racing pedigree.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zero Motorcycles social profiles
Digital presenceZero Motorcycles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zero Motorcycles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Zero Motorcycles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds34 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zero Motorcycles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zero Motorcycles
What does Zero Motorcycles do?
Zero Motorcycles designs, manufactures, and sells electric motorcycles and scooters built on its proprietary Z-Force powertrain (motors, lithium-ion battery packs, and Cypher operating system). Its product portfolio spans street (S Line: S, SR, SR/S, SR/F), dual-sport/adventure (DS Line: DS, DSR, DSR/X), commuter (FXE), off-road (X Line: XB, XE), and urban electric scooters (LS1), with pricing from $4,395 to $22,995. The company also licenses its powertrain technology to OEM partners and fleet operators through its Powertrain Systems business.
Is Zero Motorcycles a public or private company?
Zero Motorcycles is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Zero Motorcycles founded?
Zero Motorcycles was founded in 2006. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Zero Motorcycles based?
Zero Motorcycles is headquartered in Scotts Valley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zero Motorcycles make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electric Motorcycle Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories Sales, financing Services and rebates and Incentives.
Who are Zero Motorcycles's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LiveWire (Harley-Davidson), Energica Motor Company, Damon Motors, Lightning Motorcycles, Cake (Cake 0 Emission), NIU Technologies and Gogoro. Talaria is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are BMW Motorrad and KTM / Pierer Mobility.
Does Zero Motorcycles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zero Motorcycles.
What industry is Zero Motorcycles in?
Zero Motorcycles's product category is Electric Motorcycles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAEAB, Electric Motorcycles & Electric Scooters Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMACAOAB, E-scooters & E-mopeds Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.