Zero Motorcycles designs and manufactures premium electric motorcycles featuring its Z-Force powertrain and aircraft-grade aluminum frames to deliver lightweight, torque-rich performance with reduced emissions. Founded in 2006 in a Santa Cruz garage, the company has grown into an internationally recognized EV motorcycle brand. Its business model focuses on producing premium models while keeping prices competitive and maintaining an annual model refresh cycle. Zero is working to broaden its portfolio with additional models — reports mention a rumored mini-bike aimed at entry-level and urban riders. As it expands internationally, the company is navigating varied regulatory standards around batteries, charging compatibility, and emissions. Recent investor interest and capital injections position Zero to scale production and expand product lines amid a challenging competitive landscape. Zero Motorcycles designs and sells electric motorcycles and develops electric powertrains and its Cypher III operating system. Its consumer lineup includes on-road, adventure sport, and dual-sport motorcycles, and the company also targets fleet sales and partner powertrain applications. Zero reports having sold over 20,000 vehicles that have accumulated more than 165,000,000 miles and is present in over 200 police departments and authority fleets. The company says the new financing will fund global scaling of operations and sales and the development of additional new models. Zero positions its powertrain technology between e-bicycles and cars and contributes to the electrification of industry-leading applications by its partners. The company is designed and crafted in California and emphasizes its role leading the transformation of the motorcycle and powersports industry through electrification. Zero Motorcycles designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and powertrains, combining Silicon Valley technology with traditional motorcycle craftsmanship. The company says it has the most power- and energy-dense EV technology in powersports and offers a broad product portfolio, including the recently launched SR/F model. It operates a global supply chain and distribution network and states it sells more electric motorcycles annually than all of its competitors combined. Zero emphasizes capital efficiency, R&D investment, and industrial capability as foundations of its strategy. Founded in 2006 and led by CEO Sam Paschel, the company says it has 13 years of experience. With a strong capital base and brand, Zero plans to continue driving two-wheeled and broader powersports electrification as adoption and innovation accelerate. Zero Motorcycles builds electric motorcycles, including highway-legal DS models that are quiet enough for urban law enforcement and suitable for some off-road paths. All of its bikes use fully recyclable lithium-ion batteries. The company highlights environmental benefits, claiming its bikes produce less than one-eighth the CO2 per mile at the power plant and 1/100th of smog-causing nitrous oxides compared with gas-powered motorcycles. Recent capital will be directed toward expanding U.S. operations, growing global sales efforts, and funding research and development. Invus, LP — the company's earliest financial backer since April 2008 — remains its principal investor. Founder Neal Saiki has recently left the company to pursue a human-powered helicopter competition prize. Zero Motorcycles designs and sells all‑electric motorcycles, including the Zero DS model with a claimed range of up to 50 miles (80 km) and highway‑legal capability. Its bikes are quiet due to their all‑electric drivetrains and have been adopted for urban patrols by the Scotts Valley Police Department. The company sells products in 32 countries, including the U.S., Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the U.K. and Canada, and expanded sales to Australia in late 2010. Last summer Zero secured a U.S. patent for a battery interconnect system that reduces heat losses around power packs. Competitors named in the article include Brammo, Mission Motors, Honda and BMW. The company has raised multiple rounds of equity and continues to expand international distribution.

Total raised

$277M

Funding rounds

6

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Oct 2024