Zero Motorcycles returns to Australia

American electric bike brand Zero Motorcycles is staging an Australian comeback, with the Santa Cruz-based company set to return to our shores yet again – this time with the backing of major motorcycle retailer, Peter Stevens Motorcycles.

Founded in 2006, the pioneering brand initially came Down Under in 2010 with a pair of models – the S supermoto and DS dualsport – when the electric bike scene was very much in its infancy. Imported by Melbourne-based firm PDW Imports, the range failed to gain traction with the Australian motorcycling public and the brand withdrew in 2012.

Zero then returned in late 2013 with local distributor Cento Per Cento, the then distributor in Australia for MV Agusta, before that firm faltered in late 2014.

A new importer was appointed in the first half of 2015, but the brand ground to a halt once again in 2017, the local distributor citing an inability to “to build an economically viable business model”.

This time, however, Zero Motorcycles has its best chance yet to make its entry into the local market stick. The company itself is now well entrenched as an experienced and well-respected manufacturer of electric motorcycles that it supplies to 40 markets around the globe, and its range has progressed significantly in scope and capability.

On top of that, it now has another experienced and well-resourced partner in Peter Stevens Motorcycles. And crucially, electric vehicles are no longer the left-field oddity they once were and charging infrastructure is ramping up – and that could well mean the timing is right for Zero’s latest tilt at the Aussie market.

“Australia’s electric vehicle demand is ramping up as the nation’s charging infrastructure rapidly expands, as does availability of exciting new products like Zero’s,” said Zero Motorcycles Director of International Expansion, Adrian O’Donoughue.

“The powerful partnership between Zero Motorcycles and Peter Stevens will enable enthusiasts to access an established and reputable network of authorised dealers from coast to coast.”

Peter Stevens Motorcycles CEO, Darren Munro, said Zero would pave the way for the electric-bike genre in Australia.

“Zero Motorcycles is a great fit for our business model and brand expansion,” he said.

“Our leadership strongly believes electric motorcycles are an inevitable development in the long-term future of Australian motorcycling and we are passionate about being a leader in the way of the future.

“Zero is a pioneer and the clear leader in the EV space, boasting the most advanced technology and diverse model range available in the world, and that makes us highly enthusiastic to be its Australian partner.”

The Zero Motorcycles range is expected to hit Peter Stevens dealerships in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia this summer, with pricing and full details to be announced closer to the brand’s local launch.

A total of nine US-designed-and-built Zero Motorcycles models will be available here, comprising the DSR/X, DSR, DS, and FX dual-sport models, and SR/S, SR-F, SR, S, and FXE street models.

For more information on the range, visit the Zero Motorcycles US website.