Zero Motorcycles is a California company that has been making electric motorcycles for almost 15 years. But now we have just learned about some patent reports that change almost everything. They are going to focus on a small, low-cost urban machine to compete with models like the popular Grom of Sling.
The design registered by Zero, It features a bike with a considerably smaller outline than anything the company has made to date.
This is what Zero’s electric minibike will look like
Although it’s difficult to determine the exact scale, if the headlight is a standard 146mm unit, we’re guessing the front wheel is 14 inches in diameter, the rear 12 inches, and the wheelbase is approximately 1,193mm. These dimensions put it very close to the Gromwith a wheelbase of 1,135 mm and 12-inch wheels at both ends.
Unlike other small electric motorcycles, the future Zero It does not use a motor mounted on the rear hub, but rather a motor with conventional transmission mounted on the chassis, similar to that of the Zero FXE current, although it will probably be smaller and less powerful to reduce costs.
As for the battery, it seems that Zero is reusing its existing components, as the battery dimensions appear to match those of the Z-Force’s 7.2kWh lithium-ion unit. FXETo make everything fit into a much smaller wheelbase, the engine has been moved rearward and the battery is mounted at an angle.
The instrument panel is a digital display that appears to match that used by the brand on several existing models, and the mirrors and indicators are also shared with other bikes in the range. It retains a foot-operated rear brake, rather than moving it to the left handlebar, despite there being no clutch or gear-shift lever – a typical factory feature.
Although the design registration does not guarantee that the minibike will Zero goes into production, if the company manages to manufacture it at an affordable price it could achieve significant success. That much is clear.
