POLARIS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH ZERO MOTORCYCLES
The companies will co-develop new electric vehicles
Polaris announces a partnership with Zero Motorcycles to co-develop electric vehicles as a cornerstone of Polaris’ new electrification strategy that they call “rEV’d Up”. The exclusive partnership deal is for ten years, to develop off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. Polaris is a huge and well-known powersports company, and Zero has proven electric powertrain technology.
With this strategy, Polaris is aiming to have an electric vehicle offering in all of its core product segments by 2025, with several vehicles planned to debut by the end of 2021. No specifics have been announced yet.
QUOTES FROM THE TOP
“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,” said Scott Wine, chairman and CEO of Polaris. “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 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.”
“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,” said Zero Motorcycles CEO Sam Paschel. “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.”
MANY ACQUSITIONS
Polaris does have some EV offerings currently. In 2011, Polaris acquired Goupil, a French manufacturer of commercial, light-duty electric vehicles for the European market, and Global Electric Motors, who makes street-legal passenger and utility EVs. Four years later, Polaris acquired Brammo Electric Motorcycles, which became the technology used in the Ranger EV, which is currently the highest-selling electric off-road vehicle in North America. Polaris also acquired Taylor-Dunn Electric Vehicles in 2016. They seem to be going almost all-in on Electric.
Polaris is counting on the depth of experience Zero has built since their founding in 2006 to provide what they need in terms of powertrain technology, hardware and software, and this will no doubt benefit both companies in what each offers.
