Otis Singleton
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is an electric motorcycle by Harley-Davidson, their first electric vehicle. The LiveWire was first displayed to the media in June 2014 and was made available for public test rides at US Harley-Davidson dealerships later that year, then in Europe and Canada in 2015. The LiveWire electric motorcycle was designed at Harley-Davidson's Product Development Center in Wisconsin and built at Harley-Davidson's manufacturing facility in York, PA. In 2021, Harley-Davidson announced that LiveWire would be spun off as its own brand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Harley-Davidson |
| Model | LiveWire |
| Type | Electric motorcycle |
| Maximum speed | 110 mph (180 km/h) |
| Horsepower | 105 hp (78 kW) |
| Release date | 2019 |
| Spin-off date | July 2021 |
| Spin-off company name | LiveWire |
| Spin-off company type | Special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) |
| Spin-off company valuation | $1.77 billion |
| Spin-off company headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mountain View, California |
| Spin-off company debut model | LiveWire ONE |
| LiveWire ONE range | 146 miles (city), 95 miles (combined city and highway), 70 miles (highway) |
| LiveWire ONE price | $16,499 |
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What You'll Learn
LiveWire's electric motorcycle was designed and built in the USA
LiveWire electric motorcycles are designed and built in the USA. The LiveWire is Harley-Davidson's first electric vehicle, unveiled in 2014, and described by a Fox Sports commentator as "the most radical departure in the 111-year history of the brand".
The LiveWire electric motorcycle was first displayed to the media in June 2014, as part of Harley-Davidson's Project LiveWire Experience, a travelling dealer demo. Prototypes were made available for public test rides at US Harley-Davidson dealerships later in 2014, then in Europe and Canada in 2015. The LiveWire was inspired by the "Mission R" electric superbike, and the powertrains for the prototypes were developed in collaboration with its manufacturer, Mission Motors.
In 2021, Harley-Davidson announced that it would be spinning off its LiveWire division as a separate company, to be called LiveWire, set to go public in 2022. LiveWire is an American electric motorcycle manufacturer, initially launched as a dedicated electric vehicle division for Harley-Davidson. The company operates dual headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Mountain View, California.
LiveWire electric motorcycles are designed for personalisation, practicality, and performance. They are built for agility and feature innovative design, with a smooth and powerful ride, instant torque, and no emissions. The LiveWire ONE, the company's first product, has 146 miles of city range, 95 miles of combined city and highway range, and 70 miles of highway range.
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Harley-Davidson's first electric vehicle
The LiveWire was inspired by the "Mission R" electric superbike, and the powertrains for the prototypes were developed in collaboration with Mission Motors, an electric motorcycle and electric powertrain technology company. The electric motorcycle was initially made available for public test rides at US Harley-Davidson dealerships in 2014, followed by Europe and Canada in 2015. In 2018, Harley-Davidson announced that the motorcycle was entering production and would enter the market in 18 months, with preorders planned for January 2019. The first deliveries were made in September 2019 but were temporarily halted due to a charging issue, which was resolved by October 2019.
In July 2021, Harley-Davidson announced the LiveWire ONE, the first motorcycle from the new brand, available at 12 selected brand dealers across California, New York, and Texas. The company stressed its "omni-channel model, combining the best of digital and physical, allowing the customer to interact with the brand on their own terms". In the same month, LiveWire was launched as a dedicated electric vehicle division for Harley-Davidson.
In December 2021, Harley-Davidson announced that it would spin off its LiveWire division as a separate company, to be called LiveWire, and set to go public in the first half of 2022. The new company would be valued at $1.77 billion and would operate dual headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Mountain View, California. The spin-off was intended to allow Harley-Davidson to focus on its core business while providing LiveWire with the opportunity to develop its own brand and target a wider customer base.
The LiveWire electric motorcycle has a maximum speed of 110 mph (180 km/h) and offers a smooth and powerful ride with instant torque and no emissions. It is designed for personalisation, practicality, and mastery, making it suitable for urban riding and beyond. The LiveWire ONE, in particular, offers a city range of 146 miles, a combined city and highway range of 95 miles, and a highway range of 70 miles.
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LiveWire spun off from Harley-Davidson in 2022
LiveWire is an American electric motorcycle manufacturer that was initially launched as a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) division for Harley-Davidson in July 2021. In December 2021, Harley-Davidson announced that it would spin off its LiveWire division as a separate company, to be called LiveWire, and go public in the first half of 2022 as a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) valued at $1.77 billion.
The LiveWire electric motorcycle was first displayed to the media in June 2014 as part of Harley-Davidson's Project LiveWire Experience, a travelling dealer demo. Prototypes were made available for public test rides at US Harley-Davidson dealerships later in 2014 and then in Europe and Canada in 2015. The LiveWire was Harley-Davidson's first electric vehicle and was inspired by the "Mission R" electric superbike. It was released in 2019 and targeted a different type of customer than their classic V-twin powered motorcycles.
The decision to spin off LiveWire as a separate company was likely influenced by Harley-Davidson's desire to recoup lost market share as its core baby boomer customer base grew older and interest in motorcycling as a recreational activity faded. The company also wanted to become more competitive with other electric motorcycle manufacturers. Additionally, LiveWire's electric motorcycles were seen as easier and quieter to ride than gas-powered motorcycles, with no clutch or gear shift, or hot exhaust pipes.
The spin-off was financed by $400 million of ABIC's cash held in trust, $100 million from Harley-Davidson, and $100 million from Taiwanese scooter manufacturer Kymco, through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) sale. Harley-Davidson initially aimed to retain a 74% stake in LiveWire but had to infuse the company with an additional $100 million investment when the original SPAC investors withdrew their funds, giving it a 90% stake. LiveWire went public on September 27, 2022, and became the first publicly traded electric motorcycle company in the United States.
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LiveWire motorcycles are designed for urban riding
Initially launched as a dedicated electric vehicle division for Harley-Davidson in 2021, LiveWire has since become its own company, spinning off from its parent brand in 2022. LiveWire motorcycles are designed to appeal to a wider customer base than traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles, targeting those who might not ordinarily be drawn to the brand's classic, loud, and heavy bikes.
The LiveWire ONE, the company's first product, offers a unique riding experience with no rumble or vibration. It has a range of 146 miles in the city, 95 miles combined city and highway, and 70 miles on the highway. LiveWire motorcycles are easier and quieter to ride than gas-powered motorcycles, with no clutch or gear shift, making them ideal for urban environments.
LiveWire's electric motorcycles cater to riders of all skill levels and preferences. Whether you're an urban commuter or a small-town technology enthusiast, LiveWire offers a thrilling and responsible way to hit the road. The company's innovative design and electric performance make it a leader in the electric motorcycle space, providing a seamless blend of performance and practicality.
LiveWire motorcycles are designed with personalization, practicality, and mastery in mind. The S2 Alpinista, for example, sets a new standard for urban riding, while the S2 Mulholland offers confidence and control for a sum experience. LiveWire's scalable and modular ARROW platform further enhances the riding experience, making these motorcycles ideal for navigating city streets and beyond.
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The electric motorcycle prototype was unveiled in 2014
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is the company's first electric motorcycle. In June 2014, Harley-Davidson first unveiled the LiveWire prototype to the media as part of its Project LiveWire Experience, a travelling dealer demo. The prototype was described as "the most radical departure in the 111-year history of the brand" by a Fox Sports commentator.
The LiveWire prototype was inspired by the "Mission R" electric superbike, and its powertrains were developed in collaboration with Mission Motors, an electric motorcycle and electric powertrain technology company. The prototype LiveWire was designed to appeal to a wider customer base than Harley-Davidson's classic V-twin powered motorcycles, targeting those who might not be drawn to the brand's traditional loud, heavy, and expensive motorcycles.
Following the media unveiling in June 2014, Harley-Davidson made the LiveWire prototypes available for public test rides at its dealerships in the United States. The public test rides in the US were followed by similar initiatives in Europe and Canada in 2015. This allowed potential customers to experience the electric motorcycle and provided Harley-Davidson with valuable feedback for refining the design and performance of the LiveWire before its official release.
The LiveWire prototype generated significant interest and media coverage, with various news outlets and industry observers commenting on the significance of Harley-Davidson's foray into electric motorcycles. The prototype's styling was compared to that of former Harley-Davidson sport bike subsidiary Buell by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter speculated that the electric Harley-Davidson could become a sought-after status symbol, similar to the Tesla Model S.
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Frequently asked questions
The LiveWire electric motorcycle was first displayed to the media in June 2014. Harley-Davidson, an American electric motorcycle manufacturer, initially launched LiveWire as a dedicated electric vehicle division in July 2021. The company operates dual headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Mountain View, California.
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is an electric motorcycle and was the company's first electric vehicle.
The LiveWire was released in 2019, with preorders starting in January of that year.
Harley-Davidson claims that the LiveWire has a maximum speed of 110 mph (180 km/h) with a 105 hp (78 kW) motor.
The LiveWire ONE has a city range of 146 miles, a combined city and highway range of 95 miles, and a highway range of 70 miles.
