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[Richard230]

Oddly, after just announcing their new electric scooter concept, KTM's CEO is now saying that electric motorcycles are not ready for prime-time.  He is worried about fires and explosions and battery cost.  It sounds like he has been reading newspaper reports about Boeing's Dreamliner's problems - instead of checking up on Brammo and Zero to see if they are having any similar issues - which I am pretty sure they are not.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/ktm-ceo-stefan-pierer-electrics-too-soon/

[spelunker]

Sounds like the same guys that bailed on Ewan McGreggor in Long Way Round.

[skadamo]

I believe KTM had previously announced or leaked a production date for the freeride e?

I think he is buying time so he can go to market with more demand.

He probably wants to sell multiple bikes per dealer. My guess is the math is not there quite yet for KTM.

Or they will just buy Zero.

Great for Zero either way as they can continue to run with 0 competition in dirt.

[protomech]

The interview was a couple of weeks ago, so before the e-scooter was announced at the Tokyo bike show.

The Freeride E was announced in Nov 2011, and KTM stated they would sell 100 units in 2012 as a market test before increasing production. As far as I know that market test never happened.

Reposting my most recent reply on the A&R thread.

***

I’m not convinced KTM is so negative about EV bikes. The Google Translated version of the interview does match the quote posted in the story, but it’s possible that Pierer meant that he does not think the initial market will be huge, rather than that KTM is pulling out.

Consider the following:
* 2013-03-22, KTM shows an e-scooter based on the same Freeride E architecture at the Tokyo Auto Show
Pierer: “We at KTM are completely convinced of electric mobility as a perfect complement to conventional powertrains. In the long term, the electric drive will come out on top for short distances – particularly in areas which are highly sensitive from an environmental perspective, like open nature and densely populated metropolitan areas! Vehicles like the ‘E-SPEED’ and FREERIDE E can help powered two-wheelers win back more acceptance in society.”
http://blog.ktm.com/uncategorized/kutti-blog-from-tokyo-e-speed-breaks-ground/
* 2012-11-30, guest blogger on KTM’s site posts this blurb:
“Some people in the forums, however, doubt how serious this project is for KTM and whether the E will ever be available from dealers. This can be easily clarified: For KTM CEO Stefan Pierer the project has personal interest and he is not someone who reconsiders things purely because they prove more difficult to implement than initially thought. The E is coming.”
” … you had the opportunity to register here in the KTM blog for a test ride on the E in 2012 and be a volunteer beta-tester. The intention is to repeat this offer in 2013. So we will let you know here in good time how your opinion as riders can help in making the Freeride E available from dealers in a form as good as it can possibly be.”
http://blog.ktm.com/bikes/guest-column-what-is-the-freeride-e-really-like/

[firepower]

http://www.ktm.com/freeride/freeride-e/highlights.html

[firepower]

Looks like they be building scooters too.

http://www.bikesales.com.au/news/2013/electric-ktm-scooter-to-enter-production-36369

[Richard230]

I just saw the story today, also.  KTM has just announced that the E-Speed scooter will go into production and will hit the market in 2015.  You can read the story and see some more nice studio photos here:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2013/May/may0913-ktm-confirms-electric-scooter-for-2015/

[manlytom]

KTM builds petrol bikes, and good ones.
 
and Zero is focused on something entirely different (as is Brammo, Mission, Catavolt) .... :

About Zero Motorcycles

Zero Motorcycles is committed to transforming the motorcycling experience by
bringing to market highly innovative electric motorcycles that offer
exceptional value and performance. Zero is powered by innovation, driven by
passion, guided by integrity and measured by results. Through extensive
research, insight and experience, Zero combines the art and science of
motorcycle development to create and manufacture products that excite consumers
and inspire brand loyalty. Zero is determined to be the preeminent global
electric motorcycle company.