Polaris signed a 10-year partnership with Zero Motorcycles to co-develop electric ATVs, snowmobiles, and other off-road vehicles.
This deal is a part of Polaris’ “rEV’d up” campaign aiming to have at least one fully electric variant in every product range by 2025. The first vehicle to be launched as a result of this partnership is expected to debut at the end of 2021.
Over the years following the brand’s inception in 1954, Polaris gained knowledge and technical understanding in EVs by buying various electric companies to get around the high costs and time involved in battery tech R&D.
For example, Polaris bought low-speed electric vehicle manufacturing company Global Electric Motorcars and French electric flatbed truck maker Goupil in 2011. Four years later, it also acquired Brammo, a company having its own range of electric motorcycles.
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On the other hand, Zero Motorcycles is a relatively young, privately held company building pretty good electric motorcycles. Polaris CEO Scott Wine even mentioned the primary reason that attracted him to partner with Zero was its battery density.
“Zero Motorcycles’ pioneering electrification experience, proven leadership, and electric powertrain technologies are unmatched in the market. We believe this transformative partnership will enable us to leapfrog technological hurdles around range and cost while providing a tremendous speed-to-market advantage – an instant offense. Leveraging the strengths of our teams and a shared culture of innovation and passion for this industry, Polaris and Zero will collaborate to shape the future of powersports,” Wine added.
While commenting on the fusion, Zero Motorcycles CEO Samuel Paschel said, “All of us at Zero Motorcycles are delighted and honored to be a part of this industry-changing strategic relationship with Polaris as we collaborate and co-develop the technologies and vehicle platforms that will power the future of electrification in powersports.”
“This revolutionary partnership is bringing together two incredibly talented teams aimed at dramatically expanding the electric options in powersports. Our EV expertise and millions of miles of real-world, rubber-meets-the-road EV experience, coupled with Polaris’ broad product portfolio, scale, supply chain, and market leadership, makes this a game-changer for every powersports enthusiast.”
As part of this deal, Polaris is to design, develop, manufacture, and sell products while Zero will supply the electric powertrain along with hardware and software components. This way, Polaris saves a load of cash and time from developing new powertrains, and Zero Motorcycles gets a new long-term customer. A win-win for both brands.
When asked if Polaris was planning on acquiring Zero, Polaris CEO said, “I wouldn’t rule anything out. I think they have aspirations to go public at some point, and, you know, we think we enhance their value, so it’s good for them in that regard.”
Wine also admitted that it would be difficult to convince many Polaris customers to give up gasoline engines. He thinks that there are a lot of customers who “don’t give a crap.”
Tesla and Nikola Motors both have announced intentions to launch electric ATVs, but, for the moment, they are merely just that, intentions.
