Electric Motorbike Maker Comes to Amsterdam
Zero Motorcycles, a manufacturer of high performance electric motorcycles based in California’s Silicon Valley, has opened a new European headquarters in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.
Zero Motorcycles European headquarters
The new headquarters will centralize European distribution and expand the company’s European sales and marketing presence.
Edwin Belonje, an experienced motorcycle industry executive with over ten years at Triumph, will oversee European operations and manage newly signed independent representatives in the UK, Germany, France, Austria, Italy and Spain.
Green rocket scientist
Zero’s founder Neal Saiki, a former NASA engineer who had been developing full suspension mountain bike frames for 15 years, spent three years developing the Lithium Ion battery technology.
“After the incredible response Zero received in Europe, we realised the importance of making our motorcycles easily accessible to the European market,” said Saiki. “We offer the perfect solution to all the Europeans who love motorcycles, innovation, and the environment.”
Euro customers supported
Sales started three years ago in USA, but since then around 33 units have been sold to consumers in Europe who had to deal with transport and customs themselves.
Starting immediately, all three models, the Zero S (Street) and the two off-roaders (Zero X and Zero MX) will be available throughout the region, and before the end of the year two more will be added to the range.
Amsterdam’s charms
Belonje said Zero decided to do its bike distribution for Europe from the Netherlands mainly due to it having the best conditions to deliver into Europe from one warehouse.
“Separately from this decision we decided to set up in the Amsterdam Area mainly due to the international-oriented businesses and multicultural population,” he added.
Bike & city made for each other
"Also, Amsterdam is great for riding the 'S'," says Belonje. "It’s quick, light, parks anywhere, and looks good!"
"I use one in when I’m here and there’s no pollution, no noise. I would love to live in the city centre in a couple of years when it becomes closed off to conventional cars, trucks and (motor) bikes!"
Zero’s basic specs
Zero motorcycles have just one gear, no clutch or gearbox and high torque. They also relatively low weight (70 kg), having been purposely designed for being an electric vehicle, not a converted motorcycle with electric power unit and motor.
Prices start at around € 8,000.
Related topics
More Foreign Companies Establish In Amsterdam In 2008
- Tell a friend
