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Zero Motorcycles announced its 2025 lineup with two new lightweight electric on- and off-road models that expand its reach to the e-bike and light e-motorcycle markets. Zero’s current electric commuter, touring, and adventure motorcycles cost more than $12,000. Zero plans to roll out six new sub-$10,000 models during the next two years in what it terms an “All Access” strategy to meet the needs of additional riders. The new models will comprise Zero’s new X Line.
The Zero X-Line
Courtesy of Zero MotorcyclesThe XE and XB motorcycles resemble motocross bikes with narrow knobby tires, flat saddles, relatively flat bars, and ample clearance between the wheels and fenders. When they arrive at U.S. dealerships in the summer of 2025, they will be sold for off-road riding only, although both will be sold as street-legal models in Europe.
The XE and XB will have removable batteries, switchable traction control, and factory-tuned suspensions.
The Zero XE
Positioned as its first true trail bike, the Zero XE is the larger and more powerful of the two X-Line motorcycles. Powered by a 4.3kWh battery, the XE’s electric motor produces 21 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. Zero claims the top speed will be 53 mph and rates the range at 65 miles, traveling at 31 mph. The actual range any rider will experience varies on many factors. Charging is estimated to take 5.5 hours.
The XE will weigh 223 pounds and have a 35.4-inch seat height with a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel. The front fork suspension will travel 215 mm, and the rear monoshock will travel 248 mm. Both front and rear suspension are adjustable. The XE features dual-piston DOT hydraulic brakes with clamp on a single 240 mm front rotor and 220 mm rear rotor.
The Zero XE will start at $6,495.
The Zero XB
The smaller, less powerful Zero XB is a beginner’s off-road bike. The XB’s specs position it as an e-bike competitor, with a 28 mph top speed and an estimated 47-mile range. The battery stores 2.4kWh of energy to power the 7.5kW motor, producing 10 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Zero estimates it will take three hours to recharge the battery.
Weighing in at 139 pounds, the XB seat height is 32.7 inches with 18-inch wheels front and rear. Single-piston hydraulic disk brakes have a 220 mm rotor on the front and a 203 mm rotor on the rear wheel. Also fully adjustable, the front fork suspension has 195 mm travel, and the rear monoshock has 176 mm travel.
The Zero XB will start at $4,195.
Qualcomm wants to power your next car with the Snapdragon Cockpit and Ride Elite platforms
It’s been a big year for Qualcomm. Alongside its massive launch into laptop chips through the Snapdragon X Elite series, Qualcomm is now entering the automotive space. The company has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms at its annual Snapdragon Summit, which it flew me out to attend.
The two platforms are designed for different purposes, and can be used togetheror separately. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is built for in-vehicle infotainment systems and services, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite is built to power autonomous vehicle systems, including all the cameras and sensors that go into those systems.
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Scout Traveler and Scout Terra forge a new path for EVs
Electric vehicles are inseparable from newness, whether it’s new tech, new designs, or new companies like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. But the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-only brand also relies heavily on the past.
Unveiled Thursday, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and Scout Terra electric pickup truck are modern interpretations of the classic International Harvester Scout. Manufactured from 1961 to 1980, the original Scout helped popularize the idea of the rugged, off-road-capable utility vehicle, setting the stage for modern SUVs.
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Robotaxi aside, a $25,000 EV would be pointless, Tesla CEO says
Enthusiasts expecting to one day put their hands on the steering wheel of a $25,000 Tesla EV may feel like they’ve been taken for a ride.
CEO Elon Musk has just put a serious damper on those expectations, saying that outside of the driverless Robotaxi recently unveiled by Tesla, a regular $25,000 model would be “pointless” and “silly.”
During a conference call with investors, Musk was asked to clarify whether such a model was in the works.
"Basically, having a regular $25K model is pointless,” Musk said. “It would be silly. It would be completely at odds with what we believe." Tesla, Musk continued, has “been very clear that the future is autonomous.”
On October 10, Tesla unveiled its much-awaited robotaxi, called the Cybercab, an autonomous-driving EV with no steering wheel or pedals. The company also unveiled the Robovan, a much larger autonomous vehicle expected to carry people or goods.
The automaker said the Cybercab is expected to be produced in 2026 and cost $30,000. Musk, meanwhile, said that it would be a $25,000 car without specifying if that price tag included federal tax credits.
Tesla’s ambiguity about an affordable entry-level model has been going on for years. In 2020, Musk signaled that a $25,000 Tesla would arrive within three years. It was later reported that Tesla had ditched the idea, instead favoring the development of a robotaxi.
Language within Tesla’s latest financial report still hints that new affordable Tesla models are on the way. But Musk’s latest comments are putting a floor on just how affordable these would be. So far, Tesla’s Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive remains the company’s cheapest model, with a base price of $38,990.
Some rival EV makers, meanwhile, are entering the affordable space more aggressively in the U.S.
General Motors has already put out its Chevy Equinox EV at a price of $27,500, including federal tax credits. Volkswagen America says it plans to release an under-$35,000 EV in the U.S. by 2027.
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