Harley-Davidson's Electric Bike Will Be Launched In 18 Months

Harley-Davidson will make its first production electric motorcycle within the next 18 months, the Milwaukee-headquartered motorcycle manufacturer has said. Harley-Davidson has announced that "it will invest more aggressively to lead in the application of electric motorcycle technology". During a routine earnings call, Harley-Davidson CEO Matt Levatich said that the electric motorcycle project is very much active and will be launched within 18 months, without getting into details if this is the same motorcycle as the Project LiveWire which was showcased in 2014.

"You've head us talk about the Project LiveWire," Levatich said during the call. "It's an active project we're preparing to bring to market within 18 months."

"The EV motorcycle market is in its infancy today, but we believe premium Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles will help drive excitement and participation in the sport globally. As we expand our EV capabilities and commitment, we get even more excited about the role electric motorcycles will play in growing our business," Levatich added.

The Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire concept was first showcased in 2014

Also Read: Harley-Davidson's Next 100 Motorcycles To Include Electric Motorcycles

The announcement comes even as Harley-Davidson said that it will close down its Kansas City factory and consolidate production around its York, Pennsylvania plant. Harley-Davidson will cut 260 jobs from its production ranks, losing roughly 800 positions in Kansas City, but adding 450 positions back to its York facility. Harley-Davidson sales has been less than enthusiastic, with sales in the fourth quarter slipping by 11.1 per cent in the US, and 9.6 per cent worldwide.

The concept electric Harley-Davidson bike was also used in the movie, Avengers:Age of Ultron

Harley-Davidson's Project LiveWire concept was first showcased in 2014, and the company even organised test rides of the electric bike concept. A Harley-Davidson LiveWire was even used in the 2015 Hollywood film "Avengers:Age of Ultron" in a scene where Black Widow drops out of the bottom of a jet fighter astride a Harley-Davidson LiveWire. It's a motorcycle that is still a concept and is under production, but now Harley-Davidson seems intent on bringing it closer to a full-spec production model.

Harley-Davidson is one of the few major manufacturers to commit to a production electric motorcycle. So far, only KTM has introduced an electric version of a production model of its off-road range, though BMW Motorrad also has an electric scooter. Harley-Davidson's Project LiveWire concept had significant contribution from San Francisco-based start-up Mission Motors. But that company has since become defunct, and it's still not clear if Harley-Davidson is developing the technology for its electric range in-house or with an alliance with a new strategic partner. What is clear is that the future of Harley-Davidson may not revolve only around the tradition big v-twin engines, but will go on to include motorcycles which may not make any trademark v-twin sound at all.