LiveWire (electric motorcycle)

2021

Start of electric motorcycle sales in the USA

In mid-July 2021, Harley-Davidson began selling the first electric motorcycle One of the new Livewire brand, allocated in early 2021 as a brand of electric motorcycles.

The novelty is the successor to the first model of the company, which appeared on the market in 2019. The electric motorcycle LiveWire One has a similar appearance, improved performance and is sold at a price of $29 799. Unlike the model introduced under the Harley-Davidson brand, the cost is reduced by 26%

Harley-Davidson begins selling Livewire One's first electric motorcycle

The power of the electrified powertrain reaches 105 horsepower. The electric motorcycle is equipped with a 15.5 kWh battery, which allows you to drive without recharging up to 235 km in urban conditions or about 113 km along the highway. An electric motor producing 105 liters. from. (78 kW) of power and 116 N/m of torque, makes it possible to accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in 3 s and reach a speed of up to 177 km/h. LiveWire One received support for fast charging, the owner of the vehicle can charge the battery up to 80% in 45 minutes and up to 100% in 60 minutes.

The main advantage of the LiveWire One model is a modified stability control system, ABS and a system that prevents skid of the rear axle during braking with recovery.

LiveWire One can also be personalized using customizable driving modes, the motorcycle is available in Liquid Black and Horizon White colors. The main competitor for Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles in the US market are models manufactured by Zero Motorcycles.

The official presentation of the electric motorcycle LiveWire One will be held on July 18, 2021 at the international motorcycle show in California. In this state, the novelty is already available for pre-order. Only 12 dealerships in California, New York and Texas will be allowed to immediately sell LiveWire One, the export of new products to other countries is planned from 2022.^[1]

Creation of the LiveWire brand for the production of electric motorcycles

On May 10, 2021, Harley-Davidson officially announced the creation of a separate brand of LiveWire, under which the company will produce electric motorcycles. The public presentation of the first product as part of the new strategy will be held at the International Motorcycle Exhibition in the United States in July 2021.

LiveWire is more than a motorcycle. LiveWire plans to rethink the concept of an electric car in order to provide maximum convenience for a city racer with personality and soul. LiveWire creates a unique link between the driver and the car. Today begins the next chapter on the way, LiveWire - said in a press release published on the Harley-Davidson website.

Harley-Davidson launches separate brand for electric motorcycles

The first exhibition hall LiveWire will open in California, there will also be a "virtual" headquarters with centers in Silicon Valley and Milwaukee. The company notes that it is planned to "combine digital and physical retail formats" as part of an "innovative model for entering the market."

According to Reuters, the first electric motor cycle was LiveWire sold at a high price ($29.8 thousand; the Tesla Model 3 electric car costs almost as much), because of which the product is in poor demand. The target audience of the LiveWire was young, caring for the environment and at the same time wealthy motorcyclists, but there are very few such clients. The greatest interest in electric motorcycles was shown by experienced bikers at the age.

Dealerships contacted by the agency stated that pre-orders for the purchase of LiveWire were below expectations. At the same time, they did not name the number of armors. Dealers cited another reason for weak demand for electric motorcycles - the lack of discounts and subsidies from the manufacturer that would help support sales.^[2]

2018: Announcement

As part of the CES 2019 exhibition in early January, Harley-Davidson presented its first electric motorcycle. It was called LiveWire and will cost from $29 800. Sales will begin in August 2019.

The novelty is equipped with a pair of battery units, one of which is responsible for powering the electric motor, and the other is used for the operation of lighting and other electronic devices. The manufacturer claims 180 km of driving without recharging. The engine power at the time of the announcement is not called, but it is known that the motorcycle will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. Support for fast charging of batteries is also reported.

Harley-Davidson electric motorcycle LiveWire

The telematics control unit (TCU) and the platform of connected OneConnect services from Panasonic will allow the driver to receive up-to-date information about the motorcycle on his smartphone through cellular networks. The mobile application and the new HarleyDavidson Connect service allow you to control the following:

• Motorcycle condition: battery charge level and remaining range, as well as recharge status and time to its complete completion. The driver will be able to control these parameters remotely - from anywhere where there is mobile Internet. A module will also be added to the Harley-Davidson application to find the nearest charging stations.

• Reports of "attempts" on a motorcycle and its location: the Harley-Davidson application will be able to show exactly the parking spot of the electric bike. In case someone tries to hijack, damage or otherwise affect the motorcycle, an urgent alert will come to the owner's phone. Tracing the stolen vehicle will allow a built-in GPS tracker.

• Reminders about the need for service: will also be received through the application.

Three Harley-Davidson LiveWire color options will be available for selection: orange, yellow and black.^[3]

Notes