- A 10 year partnership has been announced between Polaris and Zero Motorcycles to co-develop electric vehicles
The exclusive partnership in off-road vehicles (ORVs) and snowmobiles is a key component of Polaris’ new electrification strategy – rEV’d up – through which the company plans to offer electric vehicles within each of its core product segments by 2025.
The first vehicle from the new partnership, the Ranger XP Kinetic Premium, debuted earlier this year – a powerful SxS, described as “an ideal work horse on farms, estates and other land based businesses, as well as leisure”.
Scott Wine, chairman and CEO of Polaris, said:
“Thanks to advancements in power, pricing and performance over the last several years, and with customer interest surging, now is the right time for Polaris, with Zero Motorcycles as a key strategic partner, to implement our rEV’d up initiative and aggressively accelerate our position in powersports electrification.”
“Zero Motorcycles’ pioneering electrification experience, proven leadership and mastery of the electric powertrain for powersports are unmatched in the market. We believe this transformative partnership will enable us to leapfrog technological hurdles around the range and cost of electric vehicles 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.”
Through the strategic partnership, the largest in Zero Motorcycles’ history, Polaris will manufacture and sell electrified ORVs and snowmobiles using Zero’s powertrain technology, hardware and software. Having designed and manufactured electric motorbikes for over 15 years, Zero is regarded as the leader in motorcycle EV technologies, subsystems, components, and designs. It is also the only motorcycle company to have successfully brought an entire product line of electric vehicles to market.
Commenting on the partnership, Zero Motorcycles’ CEO Sam Paschel said:
“All of us at Zero Motorcycles are delighted and honoured 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 expertise in electric vehicles 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.”
