American EV motorcycle manufacturers Zero and LiveWire have both independently come to the conclusion that people aren’t really buying full-sized electric motorcycles in large numbers, and they need to invest in building smaller, lighter, less expensive, and more efficient relatively low-speed machines. Smartly, both companies have chosen to go in different directions with their better-for-the-wallet models.
During the annual EICMA show in Italy this week Harley-Davidson spinoff LiveWire announced a strategic partnership with Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco to build electric scooters (below), while Californian independent brand Zero pushed its new XB and XE lightweight trail machines to compete with Chinese-made Sur-Ron electric dirt machines (above). Pricing hasn’t been announced by LiveWire yet, but Zero says it is launching six new models in the next two years, each under $10,000.
I’m most excited by the Zero XB and XE, so we’ll start there. The XB starts at a low $4,195 and features a removable 2.4 kWh battery, switchable traction control, and long-travel suspension for comfortable all-electric trail riding. Allegedly it will be capable of 47 miles of trail range. The XE is an upgraded version of the same bike with a large TFT screen dashboard and a 4.3 kWh battery for 65 miles of range. To get the more impressive bike you’ll have to pony up $6,495. These look like a serious amount of fun per dollar in the electric motorcycle game. The XB is intended to be a trail-only bike, while the XE will be offered in fully street-legal guise.
“The new X Line delivers the best performing models in one of the most exciting growth categories from the most trusted electric brand in powersports,” said Sam Paschel, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “Our mission from day one has been to revolutionize the two-wheeled transportation industry, and we will stop at nothing to deliver on that promise to our growing global community of riders.”
As for the pair of maxi scooters from LiveWire and Kymco, the product is just right for the European market, which is just clamoring for stuff like this right now. Kymco needed a larger and more upmarket machine for the Euro market, and LiveWire needed a high-volume product to keep margins looking nice. These new machines will utilize LiveWire’s existing S2 Arrow powertrain, though will be paired with Kymco’s Ionex swappable battery architecture. These bikes will be distributed globally in 2026, though there isn’t any word on naming or pricing or really much of anything. They sure look cool, though.
“The belief and recognition that we could create a class-leading maxi-scooter using our S2 Arrow powertrain has been a constant, KYMCO sharing their expertise has changed belief into reality, and we are excited to commence on this journey with such a globally recognized leader in the category.” – Karim Donnez, CEO LiveWire
Things aren’t looking great in the electric two-wheel world these days with the recent death of Italian manufacturer Energica. If LiveWire and Zero want to stick around for more than a couple of years, they’ll have to continue to develop innovative products like these that consumers have proven they actually want. It’s a good move on both parts.