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[oobflyer]

This Press Release was published on 9-23-2014 - we should see and learn about the 2015 line-up on Tuesday, 9-30-2014.

Zero Motorcycles To Unveil 2015 Models 100% Electric Motorcycles to Appear at Intermot and AIMExpo

SANTA CRUZ, Calif, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, announced today that the launch of their 2015 models will take place at two leading international trade shows. The full line of 100% electric motorcycles will be presented to European customers and media at Intermot on Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 in Cologne, Germany. The North American event will take place at AIMExpo on October 16-19 in Orlando, Florida.

"We see Intermot and AIMExpo as the perfect platforms to unveil the 2015 motorcycles to the world. Both events provide a great venue to interact with riders, dealers and the press," said Scot Harden, Zero Motorcycles VP of Global Marketing. "We are confident that the new line will exceed expectations and look forward to seeing how the motorcycle world responds."

At Intermot, Zero Motorcycles will be located in Hall 7, Stand C-010. Show info is available at http://www.intermot-cologne.com. Zero Motorcycles will be at AIMExpo booth 365. Visit the expo website at http://www.aimexpousa.com/.

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. Every model is designed and built in California. Zero is determined to be the preeminent global electric motorcycle company.

Follow Zero Motorcycles on Twitter @ZeroMC, become a fan of Zero Motorcycles on Facebook and check out what Zero is doing on YouTube at www.youtube.com/zeromotorcycles.


My favorite part of the Press Release:

We are confident that the new line will exceed expectations and look forward to seeing how the motorcycle world responds.

[Burton]

Wonder if they will release a touring model with a 22.8 size pack? lol

[NoiseBoy]

Are any EMF'ers going? I can't afford one anymore but I'm still excited!

[Richard230]

JP of cleanrider.com will be there. He is on the way to Intermot right now.

[oobflyer]

What would the new 2015 Zero SR look like to "exceed expectations"?
How about:

• A 17 kWh Battery Pack - Standard
• ChaDeMo Charging - Standard
• Lower Pricing for Mass Markets

Too optimistic?
 

[Mike Werner]

Yes, I'm almost there.

Follow me on Twitter for "realtime' photos of the press event, since it'll take time to do up the photos and write things up after the event:

https://twitter.com/MikeWerner

[ultrarnr]

oobflyer,

CHAdeMO is still not available for the 2014 SR despite it being shown on the Zero website. While it is certainly a great idea unless the connections are exactly the same I think it is being a bit too optimistic. North Carolina is installing another 18 CHAdeMO systems around the state next month so this is something I defintely want.

[Richard230]

Besides Zero, I am really looking forward to new product announcements from Brammo or any other electric motorcycle manufacturers, especially the major motorcycle companies.  Right now I believe that the electric motorcycle industry is just starting to take off and if there are not any new products for 2015 that actually will go into production, instead of just being concepts or promotional gas generators, then I would start being worried about the overall health of the industry.  I think there is a lot of room for expansion in the electric motorcycle market if only manufacturers would be willing to take the risk to enter it, even if their sales projections don't forecast that they will make any money doing so for a few years.

The other thing that customers have to comprehend is that EVs are not computers or smart phones and will not be improving every year to the extent that those products do.  Electric motors and batteries are not the same as electronic circuits and are more constrained by the laws of physics. Customers and enthusiasts need to adjust their expectations accordingly.

[Mike Werner]

I somehow think, maybe hope, that there will be an enormous surprise by BMW next week. They have teased a blurry photo of a surprise bike that will catch people off-guard, and the blurry photos shows a rather smaller than normal street bike. Since it's blurry, you can't see an exhaust. So maybe a low displacement ICE, but also maybe an electric street bike.

We'll know Tuesday between 10 and 11 AM CET. Follow me on Twitter, I'll be sending out the photos as it rolls on.

https://twitter.com/MikeWerner

[Burton]

https://twitter.com/BMWMotorrad/status/515527518347350016/photo/1

IDK they really blurred it out >_<

[Mike Werner]

Well, you can see it's not a big bike, nor a sports bike. And it's not a scoot.

[Richard230]

Maybe an Indian BMW, something around 250cc?  I think I read that BMW was planning to (or did) partner with an Indian firm to manufacture and market a small displacement single-cylinder BMW in that country and maybe parts of Asia.  I very much doubt that it would be imported into Europe or the U.S., though. 

I haven't heard of any rumors about BMW developing an electric motorcycle.  Usually stuff like that leaks out of the factory and into the news media at some point during the development or testing phase and then BMW just gives up and spills the beans as they did with the C Evolution.

[oobflyer]

a bit too optimistic...

That's me!
With my limited knowledge of electricity - I keep thinking that it should be easy to rearrange the cells in the battery pack for a higher voltage (some in series, some in parallel).
If I understand correctly the problem with CHAdeMO charging is that Zero's pack voltage is too low - why not switch to a higher voltage system?

I'm following Mike Werner on Twitter - we should know soon!

[Burton]

If you switch to a high voltage system you loose range because you need to put more of the cells in series instead of parallel

[oobflyer]

Is that right? Why is there an energy loss when cells are connected in series compared to cells connected in parallel? (Seriously - I'm asking - I'm curious and I want to know!)

I=V/R, correct? So, assuming the resistance (R) doesn't change, an increase in Voltage (V) will mean less Current (I), but the overall equation still balances, doesn't it?

My Vectrix has 42 cells - all connected in series for a nominal voltage of 154V.

My Leaf has a 500V system (I have no idea how many cells or how they are connected).

Electricity is fascinating - wish I knew more about it.