Zero Unveiled 2022 SR Electric Motorcycle, Advance Technology, Bigger Battery
Zero unveiled its latest 2022 Zero SR electric motorcycle, along with major announcements of new batteries and other tech upgrades, at a gathering of journalists in Lower Manhattan.
The new zero SR and updated battery technology are the biggest updates to the zero line in years.
Reveal of the first morning came in the form of a new battery for the Zero 2022 SR, SR/F, and SR/S e-bikes.
zero unveiled its latest 2022 Zero SR electric motorcycle with some major battery announcements and other technology updates in front of a gathering of journalists in Lower Manhattan. Electrek was front and centre to give you a first look at the zero’s new technology.
The new zero SR and updated battery technology are the biggest updates to zero’s lineup in years.
The first big reveal of the morning came in the form of a new battery pack for Zero’s 2022 SR, SR/F, and SR/S street-oriented electric motorcycles.
The new battery comes in either 14.4+ kWh or 15.6+ kWh options, with a “plus” indicating that the packs can actually be software unlocked to achieve a full capacity of up to 17.3 kWh capacity.
This on-demand software-enabled battery capacity upgrade is reminiscent of Tesla’s software-limited battery, and it is the first time this option has been offered in the electric motorcycle industry.
Zero SR/F or SR/S range with power tank would be 227 miles (365 km) in the city and 113 miles (182 km) when travelling at 70 mph (112 km/h).
Even though the capacity of the batteries has increased, the weight of the packs has actually decreased by about 6 lb (2.72 kg). After modification, many items were included in the latest model of bike ex such as cooling fans that upgrade the passive air cooling of previous generations to active air cooling
zero also unveiled its new Cypher III+ operating system and smartphone app.
The new software allows for those app-based upgrades, including increased battery capacity and other performance and feature upgrades.
The new Cypher III+ operating system will come standard on all 2022 SR/F, SR/S, and SR motorcycles.
The list of features and upgrades available through the app in early 2022 include: faster charging, extended range, boosted speed and performance, on-dash GPS navigation, heated grips and Park Mode, which features a reverse vent for easier parking.
As Zero Motorcycles CEO Sam Paschal explained:
Being a brand that has defined and continues to lead the range of electric motorcycles means it is our responsibility to push the limits of what is possible in electric powertrains. We continually work to drive massive steps forward, not just incremental improvements to our powertrains and our products.
As part of that effort, a continued focus on improving range, driven by battery capacity and powertrain efficiency, provides the foundation that allows us to transform the rider experience and accelerate electric vehicle adoption and sales. In this year improvement in the battery technology across our 2022 model line set a new standard for the Zero motorcycle.
2022 Zero SR unveiled
In this bike, the update was highlighted simultaneously in a single bike with the unveiling of the 2022 Zero SR electric motorcycle.
The new model is built on the trellis frame of Xero’s flagship motorcycles and comes with zero’s ZF75-10 motor, which was first unveiled on the Xero SR/F. It is software locked at 55 kW (74 hp) on the SR with a top speed of 104 mph (167 km/h). Riders are able to take advantage of software-unlockable upgrades via the app to fully expose the bike’s performance and features to achieve SR/F-equivalent speed and power levels. The motor is actually capable of outputting 82 kW (110 hp) and attaining a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
The new 2022 Zero SR will cost $17,995 when it becomes available for purchase in the first quarter of 2022.
The new technology unveiled this morning follows the heels of the zero’s recent summer launch of the new FXE platform, a lightweight urban electric motorcycle designed for commuters.
We recently reviewed an 80+ mph (130+ km/h) electric motorcycle and found it to be a thrill ride that was sporty enough for experienced riders and good enough for new riders.
While it doesn’t have the power or upgrade capabilities of the new 2022 Zero SR, it is more affordable at $11,795. All of these prices are before federal and state incentives, which can add up to more than $1,000 in savings.
Electrek’s Tech
There’s a lot to take in here. New battery technology is highly anticipated, so it’s great to see zero push the capacity number further.
The software-locked trick is interesting, and I can see arguments for and against the model. On the one hand, it allows riders to purchase a higher-spec bike at a more affordable price, then later upgrade performance, speed, battery capacity and other features as funding become available. On the other hand, if you never intend to upgrade, you’re walking around with extra weight you don’t really need. Again, if you never upgrade your battery capacity, you’re probably not using the top end or bottom end of the battery, which means your battery will last much longer by using a healthy charging range. Maybe it’s worth the extra couple dozen pounds right there.
The decision to move the SR over to the SR/F platform is also interesting. Again, here are the advantages and disadvantages. But the fact that it allows riders to save about $2,000 just by getting into the platform of the flagship bike can’t be ignored.
Electrek publisher Seth Weintraub was also at the unveiling and brought up an interesting idea: What if you temporarily buy some of these upgrades? If you were typically a commuter but occasionally go on long weekend rides, being able to suddenly “rent” an extra 20% battery capacity via a few clicks in the app can be a nice feature.
