Zero Motorcycles announced this week that production of its new XE and XB electric motorcycles is now officially underway, with the first units set to begin shipping soon. The milestone marks a major step forward in Zero’s plan to expand beyond its high-performance electric motorcycles and tap into the growing market for more affordable EVs on two wheels.
“Bikes are rolling and the wait is almost over!” the company shared on its social media channels. “Zero XEs and XBs are coming off the production line and begin shipping worldwide over the next few weeks.”
The Zero XE and XB were first unveiled in November 2024 as part of the company’s shift towards smaller, less expensive electric motorbikes that could appeal to a wider customer base than the brand’s traditional $15,000–$25,000 flagship models. With new models that directly compete against Sur Ron and Talaria-style electric motorbikes, Zero is hoping to carve out a section of the much higher volume light electric dirt bike market.
Zero has long been considered one of the dominant players in the heavyweight electric motorcycle industry, but its pricing has remained out of reach for many would-be riders. Now these upcoming smaller and cheaper bikes aim to change that.
By leveraging Asian designs and manufacturing, the new XE and XB are significantly more affordable. The Zero XB is priced at $4,395, while the larger XE comes in at $6,495. That puts them in direct competition with smaller, value-focused e-moto brands like CSC, Ryvid, and even trail bikes like the infamous Sur Ron or Talaria.
However, the non-street legal status of the bikes in the US means that sales could be hindered, unlike in Europe where the XB and XE models are homologated for use on public roads.
While the price may be lower than the brand’s bigger flagship models, both bikes still wear the Zero badge. The pair is claimed to have been designed by Zero’s California-based engineering team and use a simplified version of Zero’s Z-Force powertrain system, though the models unveiled at EICMA still had a number of obviously Chinese-origin parts and stickers, including labels written in broken English. Now, over six months later, the production models are presumably rolling off the line with a bit closer inspections.
As far as specs go, the Zero XE carries a 4.3 kWh removable battery – one of the largest removable batteries in the industry. That battery powers a 15.5 kW (21 hp) peak-rated air-cooled motor that propels the bike up to 85 km/h (53 mph).
The slightly smaller XB has a more modest 7.5 kW (10 hp) motor and 2.4 kWh battery, which is also easily removable for charging. The bike has a slower top speed of just 28 mph (45 km/h), making it better suited for riders who want to focus on their skills or learn to jump, instead of merely riding fast. Zero rates the XB with a range of 47 miles (75 km), though time will tell how accurate that figure proves to be.
Zero has made it clear that these bikes are not meant to compete with its premium lineup but rather to complement it, offering a stepping stone into electric motorcycling for newer riders or urban commuters who don’t need highway performance, at least if those urban commuters are located in Europe.
With production now underway and shipping soon, we’ll soon see whether Zero’s bet on the low-cost electric motorcycle segment pays off. One thing is certain: with more affordable options like the XB and XE, Zero is signaling that the future of motorcycling isn’t just fast – it’s flexible.
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