Not long ago we told you about a big claim from Harley-Davidson. In 2019, the bar and shield manufacturer will release an electric motorcycle! This claim has been met with both skepticism and excitement as the company takes steps on a new and unexplored path. Now, Harley has taken another big step in make its electric future a reality, and you won’t believe who is coming along for the ride.
Harley-Davidson Gets Electrified
Harley-Davidson claims it will release its first electric motorcycle in 17 months. For some hardcore Harley fans, such a claim is sacrilege, but for others, it’s a move that’s been a long time coming. These fans remember Project Livewire—Harley’s electric motorcycle program that toured 40 demo eBikes around the country. Many were waiting for the Livewire’s release, but when electric motorcycle company Mission Motors went under, so too did the Livewire. It was rumored that Harley was working closely with the now-defunct bike maker.
Fast forward to 2018, and Harley has now fully committed to the eMotorcycle dream, and so the company has made an investment to help this happen. Alta Motors, a San Francisco start up that produces electric dirtbikes, has just received a major investment from HD. The two companies will develop two models together, undoubtedly taking over from where Mission Motors left off.
This gives new credence to Harley’s claim that a new electric motorcycle will appear in its line up in 2019. This move also gives a boon to Alta Motors, which has been experiencing great success in its own market. The company recently reduced the prices of its models to match that of its gas-powered competitors, which has fueled an increase in sales. Now, the small company will have the clout of Harley behind it when dealing with parts suppliers, and the company may have gained access to a worldwide dealer chain.
Only time will tell if this partnership will work out. Harley already has a failing track record when it comes to similar alliances—think Buell and MV Augusta. But this time it seems that Harley is taking a new path, investment rather than outright buying the company. Will this work out better for all parties involved?
The update was brought to you by the attorneys who ride at Metier Law Firm—representing motorcyclists when they need help the most.