Zaiser Motors is building an ‘electric motorcycle with a soul’. The U.S start-up was launched by Anthony Cross and his fellow co-founder, Chris Shipman, when they found themselves dissatisfied with what was available on the market.
Cross, Zaiser Motors’ CEO, has been talking to Auto Futures.
“As someone who has ridden all sorts of two-wheeled vehicles from mopeds up to motorcycles, I particularly was disappointed with the low range and speed figures and how that relates to usability and safety. When we realized that we have the chance to do better, the conclusion to start Zaiser was a natural one,” says Cross.
The Colorado-based start-up’s primary focus is the Zaiser Electrocycle, a twin-hub-powered electric motorcycle that offers cutting-edge safety and accident avoidance technologies.
“The top line features we are really excited about are the first-of-its-kind twin hub power train, removable battery, and 300-mile range. We think these features combined will really come to define an Electrocycle in the future.”
Cross explains that the Electrocycle, which will be available for less than $25,000, is aimed at young and adventurous customers.
“Specifically, it’s young folks who need a clean escape into nature, a bike that can take them on an adventure and back again safely and be a usable, everyday mode of transportation,” he notes.
Recycling the Electrocycle’s Components
Cross says the Zaiser Electrocycle offers cutting-edge safety and accident avoidance technologies that will help make it the safest electric motorcycle on the market.
“We are combining established technologies like lidar blind-spot monitors, haptic feedback units in the handlebars, and true traction control on account of the all-wheel-drive capabilities, with some modern adornments like internet connectivity to increase rider awareness like never before — something as simple as a warning about an object on the road ahead or a stalled vehicle can be the difference between life and death for a motorcyclist on a moonless night with low visibility,” he says.
What also makes Zaiser distinct is its aim is to recycle most (if not all) of its components within the first ten years of production.
“As an EV manufacturer, we believe we have a responsibility to make this bike as sustainable as possible. Maybe it’s not a responsibility to the almighty dollar, but it certainly is a responsibility to the planet and the natural environments we want people to enjoy on our bikes. It would be flagrant hypocrisy to encourage the appreciation of ‘nature’ and at the same time rip resources out of the ground with zero forethought on how to deal with that long term,” explains Cross.
“We need to build a dedicated following from the bottom up.”
Zaiser has announced an official Wefunder campaign to bolster the development and production of its electric motorcycle.
“The immediate priority is to build our ‘model 1’ production-intended prototype and start testing. This will be a fully functional bike with every bell and whistle the production model will have. To do this, we will have to hire the engineers we have standing by, secure a workshop space, and start the appropriate approval processes with the various government agencies to get our bike on the road,” explains Cross.
As well as the crowdfunding campaign, Zaiser is taking a three-pronged approach to raising its profile with potential customers and is focusing on culture, community, and events.
“The relationship between these three informs how we will construct our stores, our service infrastructure, and so much more. We need to build a dedicated following from the bottom up, and the best way to do it as a dynamic start-up is to provide as many opportunities as possible for us to interface directly with our potential customers while cultivating an identity that is associated with the Electrocycle.”
Finally, we quizzed Cross about the future of two-wheel transportation and what it will look like by the year 2030.
“The real goal here is to keep it alive with a vehicle that can compete in the electric age. Not only from a performance stance but an environmental one as well. We want to play a major role not only in the transition from internal combustion to electric but also in cleaning up the supply chain of electric vehicle components such as batteries and motors themselves.”
“In short, it is looking better than ever before,” he concludes.
Keyword: On a Mission to Build The Safest Electric Motorcycle Available – Zaiser Motors CEO Anthony Cross