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[Richard230]

Yesterday on both the radio and TV news, it was reported that the "Biden Administration" is handing out grants totaling $1.7 billion USD to U.S. EV manufacturers in order to assist them in improving their products.  The list of EV vehicles (brands were not mentioned) included cars, trucks, busses and "motorcycles". Later in the evening another report regarding this grant mentioned that the money would be going to manufacturers in a number of states, however no company in California would be getting any of the cash. That pretty much means (to me) that any federal grant money for electric motorcycles would be going only to H-D's LiveWire brand.

[Specter]

It's all politics, and all corrupt.

Most of it is probably already going to the big 3, who have already received billions in graft money.  Look how much Amazon gave Rivian already and it's still teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.  Workhorse, just disappeared, as did many other promising brands.

Until the economy improves a LOT, prices come down, a LOT, and charging infrastructure goes way UP, it's pretty much billions pisssed away.

I thought HD pretty much divested itself out of the E bike world?

Aaron

[DonTom]

Yesterday on both the radio and TV news, it was reported that the "Biden Administration" is handing out grants totaling $1.7 billion USD to U.S. EV manufacturers in order to assist them in improving their products.  The list of EV vehicles (brands were not mentioned) included cars, trucks, busses and "motorcycles". Later in the evening another report regarding this grant mentioned that the money would be going to manufacturers in a number of states, however no company in California would be getting any of the cash. That pretty much means (to me) that any federal grant money for electric motorcycles would be going only to H-D's LiveWire brand.

Has Zero already moved out of CA?


-Don-  Redcrest, CA

[Richard230]

Yesterday on both the radio and TV news, it was reported that the "Biden Administration" is handing out grants totaling $1.7 billion USD to U.S. EV manufacturers in order to assist them in improving their products.  The list of EV vehicles (brands were not mentioned) included cars, trucks, busses and "motorcycles". Later in the evening another report regarding this grant mentioned that the money would be going to manufacturers in a number of states, however no company in California would be getting any of the cash. That pretty much means (to me) that any federal grant money for electric motorcycles would be going only to H-D's LiveWire brand.

Has Zero already moved out of CA?


-Don-  Redcrest, CA

I think their HQ, managers, engineers and developers are still located in Scotts Valley, but my understanding is that their primary manufacturing facility is now located in the Philippines.  However they still assemble bikes for the U.S. market at their factory here.

[Richard230]

Companies slated for awards include Blue Bird Body Co., which will receive nearly $80 million to convert a Georgia site previously used to make diesel-powered motor homes to produce electric school buses. Stellantis, whose brands include Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, will receive a total of $585 million, including nearly $335 million to convert an idled assembly plant in Illinois to assemble electric vehicles, and $250 million in a separate grant to convert an Indiana transmission plant to make electric drive modules for EVs.

Stellantis has pledged to build a new $3.2 billion battery plant in Illinois.

Harley-Davidson will receive $89 million to expand a facility in York, Pennsylvania, to make electric motorcycles, and Volvo Group will receive $208 million to upgrade three manufacturing facilities that supply and build Mack and Volvo-branded heavy-duty trucks. The plants are located in Macungie, Pennsylvania; Dublin, Virginia; and Hagerstown, Maryland.

[JaimeC]

I thought HD pretty much divested itself out of the E bike world?

Aaron

They spun Livewire off into its own separate entity, but it is still owned by Harley. It's similar to how they managed Buell back in the day. Let's just hope they don't face the same fate. Only select Harley dealerships carry Livewire now. I HOPE they allow other brand dealerships to carry them too. That was the fatal flaw in how they handled Buell (IMHO).

[Richard230]

I thought HD pretty much divested itself out of the E bike world?

Aaron

They spun Livewire off into its own separate entity, but it is still owned by Harley. It's similar to how they managed Buell back in the day. Let's just hope they don't face the same fate. Only select Harley dealerships carry Livewire now. I HOPE they allow other brand dealerships to carry them too. That was the fatal flaw in how they handled Buell (IMHO).

Plus, in my experience, the sales people appeared to hate Buell motorcycles and seemed to discourage their customers from buying one. No doubt because the shop would never make as much money from the huge H-D accessory and clothing catalog if the customer bought a Buell instead of a Big Twin.     I certainly wouldn't be surprised if the LiveWire followed the same path, except in dedicated LiveWire shops where the bike would not be competing for attention with a Big Twin ICE model.  Time will tell. I wonder what H-D is going to do with that $89 million grant? Increase their CEO's compensation, perhaps?   

[DonTom]

Only select Harley dealerships carry Livewire now.

It's always been that way with the LW. They sold them in Reno, but not at the Carson City HD dealer. They sold the LW in Phoniex, AZ, but not at the Harley dealer in Tucson, etc., etc.


-Don-  Redcrest, CA