Article by Malina Long

With the 5th Annual Get Hired event fast approaching, we will be shining the spotlight on a few of the companies who will be presenting. With millions of miles under their belt, and over 14 years of experience in the electric vehicles industry, Zero Motorcycles is a company that is leading the race in sustainable transportation and technology.  

Zero Motorcycles specializes in creating powertrains and zero emission electric motorcycles that are fun, fast, light, and efficient. In 2006, Neal Saiki, a former NASA employee with a background in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical engineering sought to make a quiet dirt bike that he could ride around in the Santa Cruz Mountains without disturbing his neighbors. In his Scott’s Valley garage, Saiki dismantled a dryer and rigged the dryer’s motor to a mountain bike, creating the first prototype. At the time Saiki developed his first prototype, electric powered vehicles were not prevalent in the mass market which made his bike one of the first of its kind.  

In 2009, Zero Motorcycles launched their first street-legal and mass-produced motorcycle, the “Zero S”. The company also set a world record that year by completing the first electric off-road 24-hour endurance event. From there, the company grew to over fifty employees in 2010 and gained media recognition. Zero Motorcycles was embraced by well known figures such as T.V. host and comedian, Jay Leno, as well as former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Then in 2013, Zero Motorcycles launched and patented a revolutionary motor and developed a highly efficient powertrain that is currently being used by Zero Motorcycles and other companies today. A powertrain, in simple terms, is the mechanism by which energy is diverted into motion. Currently, their “Zero SR” model is the longest-range production electric motorcycle on the planet and has the highest power and energy density battery in the EV industry. 

Zero Motorcycles offers a wide range of price points and a variety of different makes and models which allows the everyday commuter, adventure seekers, and those in between to find the perfect motorcycle that fits their lifestyle. Their motorcycles use technology that allows them to be 90% more power efficient as well as more sustainable than gas options. 

In a 2020 interview with ADVRider, Zero Motorcycles CEO, Sam Paschel, mentioned that the company was seeing 50-60% compound annual growth rates and believes that the quality, technology, and consumers' belief in Zero Motorcycles products is what has helped their brand grow organically.  

Since Zero Motorcycles is a private company, they have the luxury to choose who they partner with and are not running out of business opportunities anytime soon. Last September, Zero Motorcycles announced a 10 year partnership agreement with Polaris, a leading American manufacturer of motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATV, and neighborhood electric vehicles. According to a press release by Polaris and Zero Motorcycles, Polaris will develop, manufacture and sell electrified ORVs and snowmobiles using Zero Motorcycle’s powertrain technology, hardware and software. Through their partnership, they plan to debut their first vehicle together by the end of 2021. 

In March of this year, they announced a 10 year partnership agreement with Viatec Inc., a company founded in 2015 that has developed, patented and commercialized technology that is on the way to being the next industry standard in the vocational vehicle sector for auxiliary power. Their partnership includes a supply of Zero Motorcycle’s electric powertrains for Viatec Inc.’s line of SMARTPTO electro hydraulic systems.

In an interview for this article, Daniel Quick, Communications Director of Zero Motorcycles, stated that:

“It’s incredibly heartening and very exciting to be a part of a company that is experiencing the growth that we are now...Also, the level of lateral and vertical mobility is remarkable. I know people who started in customer service who are now on the executive team...It’s a really big company but the barriers to accessing all parts of the company are disproportionately low for the size of firm that we are and I think that’s cool and exciting. I’ve been a part of a bunch of companies but I’ve never been a part of one that is undergoing exponential growth internally as I am right now and it’s awesome!” Dan Quick

Zero Motorcycles is constantly seeking to innovate and has a strong focus on delivering high quality, exceptional, and fun vehicles for its customers. Zero Motorcycles currently has around 400-500 employees and has approximately twenty five positions opening up ranging from mechanical engineers, production, software developers, and managers. For those looking to create revolutionary vehicles and technology, Zero Motorcycles is the path you want to be on. 

To learn more about Zero Motorcycles, be sure to sign up for the Get Hired event on June 2nd!