Polaris To Manufacture Electric Motorcycles Second Half Of 2015

polarisspiritlakeNo surprise. Later in 2015 Polaris will debut the manufacturing of electric motorcycles at its Spirit Lake, Iowa plant. the one where Indian and Victory motorcycles are also produced. The factory counts about 1000 employees.

This news follows last week announcement that Polaris acquired the assets, trademarks of Oregon-based Brammo Electric Motorcycles. No word yet under which name/brand these electric motorcycles will be produced. Competition between Polaris and Harley-Davidson on the electrical bikes segment may be the biggest motorcycle industry story of the next few years.

21 Responses to “Polaris To Manufacture Electric Motorcycles Second Half Of 2015”


  1. 1 BobS Jan 20th, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Should be interesting to see what’s coming out of that factory the next few years. I wonder if an electric Slingshot is in the works?

  2. 2 Sharkey Jan 20th, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Still seems to be the answer to a question no one I know is asking…

  3. 3 Matt W. Jan 20th, 2015 at 10:46 am

    Polaris has been in the electric 4 wheel vehicle business for a while now. Will be interested to see what their interpretation of an electric motorcycle will be.

  4. 4 Jelle Jan 20th, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    @Sharkey, the same way nobody was asking for an iPod or a tablet? I was at the local motorcycle show this weekend where they had two H-D Project LiveWire bikes, one on a dyno. It drew quite the crowd. Once electric bikes get a decent range and a decent charging time I’ll seriously start considering one.

  5. 5 Willy Jan 20th, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    It will be fun if Polaris (Indian? Victory?) releases a good looking bike with a good range at an affordable price while Harley is still wondering how to do it right.

  6. 6 x H-D Rider Jan 20th, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    The way Polaris is growing there going to run out of people to fill jobs. Sprit lake is a small town based in farm country. Not even good access to the free way

  7. 7 James just another Kiwi Jan 20th, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    Well our petrol prices over here have dropped hugely and announcements on the media say there is another 50 years of petroleum reserves because of fracking……………Wahooooooo
    I like my rowdy, edgy unrefined rides. It defines possibly who I am, a type of MotorCyclist the world would like to see extinct !.

    Personaly I would rather a Russian four stroke petrol MotorCycle than either of the American electric ones.
    Loud Pipes save lives, set off car alarms and make a statement……….

  8. 8 fuji Jan 20th, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    James just another Kiwi .

    Loud Pipes save lives, set off car alarms and make a statement…

    That statement here in the states translates into an undeveloped cranial cortex.

    I would rather see you on a Russian Urinal.

    PS: If you don’t like American products, no-one is twisting your arm.

    .

  9. 9 BobS Jan 20th, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    Actually x H-D they do have highways in NW Iowa. They ship to a rather large distribution facility in Yankton SD, right off I-29…

  10. 10 BigWave916 Jan 20th, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    James, are you and Fuji friends? I don’t recall. I’m with you….I grew up loving muscle cars and had the second fastest hot rod in town when I was a senior in high school. Most of my career has been in fuel systems for gasoline powered vehicles. I’ve got nothing against electric vehicles and the people who love them (except maybe Fuji) 🙂 but I want to burn fuel and rubber and make noise. You want to see me on some kind of urinal, then buy me mass quantities of alcohol, but why would a straight male want to see another on a urinal….you do the math. BTW, Fuji doesn’t speak for everyone here in the states.

  11. 11 BigWave916 Jan 20th, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    I expect Polaris to produce Brammo designs badged as Polaris motorcycles. I seriously doubt they will put them under the Victory or Indian brand names. I also don’t expect a motorcycle in the Livewire category before 2017 or 2018 from Polaris. I think they have the same hurdles to get over such as range and charging time and neither will get there until the suppliers of batteries, chargers, motors, and controllers have their act together.

  12. 12 BobS Jan 20th, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    I don’t understand why it’s a competition. Can’t I like bikes with more than one kind of motor?

  13. 13 James just another Kiwi Jan 21st, 2015 at 1:01 am

    Fuji if you want to ride a vibrator use your boy friends.

    I have three HD’s and an old 66 Chevy beater pick up.
    Bought my first new HD in 1983. So I guess even though I cling to a small rock in the South Pacific I support American vehicles, American values and the bloody great music that comes from the USA

    For you Fuji to make a statement of such ignorance, about some one you do not know or have never meet shows bombastic arrogance and limited life experience.

    I feel sorry for you !

  14. 14 MSP Dan Jan 21st, 2015 at 8:45 am

    I’ve never ridden an electric bike, but I got to rewire and drive an electric car in the mid 80’s. Even with that “ancient” technology the thing was an an absolute riot to drive. I’ve been waiting for a feasible electric bike ever since and every time there’s another breakthrough in the technologies involved, I get just a little more excited. These things are going to be all kinds of fun.

  15. 15 .357 Magnum Jan 21st, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    Robert, I know you’re out there reading, so here’s my wishlist:

    • No transmission
    • 120-mile range at 80 mph
    • Top speed of at least 85 or 90 mph
    • Top box available; mount bracket for Givi is sufficient.
    • Cruise control would be nice

    I am soooo close to buying a Zero SR motorcycle right now, though it does not have cruise control and only *barely* meets my range requirements. I commute 50 miles one-way, on a 75mph interstate, so I’d like to be able to make the round trip without charging at work. The Zero might not make it on extremely hot or cold days, both of which influence available range… and I ride both when it’s hot and cold! So the Zero is quite enticing, but I want to give Polaris a chance to earn my money fair and square.

    The Zero SR with the add-on power tank costs $20,000. If you can match their product for less, I’ll buy Polaris. If you can give me a few extra miles of range, for peace of mind, I’ll buy Polaris at the same price. If you can make it look kind of like the Gunner or Judge, I’ll buy Polaris.

    I’ll wait for you, Polaris, and I’m eager to see if you can match or exceed the Zero. Please make it worth my wait, and worth my dollars!

    Thanks! I’m psyched!

  16. 16 fuji Jan 21st, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    James just another Kiwi.

    Taking note of your comments you have painted a picture by explaining who you are to a point . Your words.

    Then saying that you support American values. That’s why I called you out.

    Here in the states we support new technology and prosper by doing so. If you want to live in the past do so but don’t condemn the U.S. for advancing.

    PS. Keep it all to yourself next time and keep hanging on to that rock the sheep would miss you.

    Finished, no more Dialogue from me.

    G’day Fuji.

  17. 17 U think U know me Jan 21st, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    I remember reading that the HD COO was quoted as saying if the Livewire went to market now, it would cost 50K and the battery life is 1/2 what consumers would want. Interested to know what Polaris has to offer. Robert, we know you are reading. Personally, I would love to test ride either one……

  18. 18 Blackmax Jan 21st, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    Ok, Both H-D & Polaris are going to have electric bikes
    Guess What ?? Don’t want anything to do with either one !!!!
    Yes, it’s more environmentally friendly & good for urban commuting
    Not interested in city riding…
    I only do it when I have to to get to somewhere else
    The market will decide, but for me “Thanks,but no thanks” !!!!!

  19. 19 James just another Kiwi Jan 21st, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    There never was dialogue.
    You didn’t call me out, this is not Dodge City Feestus
    I thought tradition was also something that was valued as well.
    Everyone is allowed an opinion unless you live in a military dictatorship like General Tojo’s

  20. 20 Paul Aiken Jan 27th, 2015 at 6:42 am

    I think the most interesting comment from CEO Wine was that new bikes will not look like current Brammo but more cruiser-like. That, in my opinion, is what the elec bike market lacks. The current options are all sport bike or dirt bike variants.

  21. 21 Robert Pandya Jan 27th, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Hello all – thanks for the interest.

    Indeed adding Brammo and its technology to our portfolio will be a boon in many ways. We are not yet ready to discuss it all as it’s a new acquisition into a constantly growing, diverse and stable company.

    I’ll say that those who insist on underestimating the potential of PII and any of our associated brands will constantly have their voices plowed under. Just back up a few years to see how people thought that we would simply slap a logo onto Victory models and go with that. I believe that our track record of the past few years shows that from the corner office to the field sales staff and the customer service people, we are striving to do things right. We may make a mistake on occasion – we are human – but Polaris continues to push ahead, as will Indian, Victory, and all the other great brands we serve.

    From my understanding battery technology will be the next big change in e-vehicles (of any size) as the controllers, motors and chassis technology are pretty well sorted. Even when that happens – some people will want more – or just choose to carp about something they do not care for.

    An we will press on –

    Robert Pandya
    External Relations Manager
    Indian Motorcycle

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