Zero S: electrifying, expensive

MONTREAL–After decades of indulgence in internal-combustion propulsion, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the Zero S electric motorcycle.

I must admit, the prospect of gasoline-free riding tickled a nerve, especially when considering that the gas station down the street from my Montreal home had just posted the price of $1.09 a litre.

Zero Motorcycles, a small California firm located in Scotts Valley, just north of Santa Cruz, is the brainchild of aeronautical engineer Neal Saiki. The Zero S electric street bike is the first street-legal electric bike available in Canada and is classified as a sub-125 cc motorcycle, meaning you'll need a motorcycle licence to ride it. However, insurance costs will be minimal.

I'm no greener than the next guy but I care enough about the environment to dispose of my refuse properly, recycle what I can and pack my groceries in reusable bags. As such, I appreciated the Zero's zero emissions and silent operation. Even when considering the pollution generated while producing the electricity needed to charge its battery, the company claims the Zero produces less than 1/8 of the carbon dioxide per mile of a gas-powered motorcycle and 1/100 the amount of nitrogen oxides.

The styling of the Zero S best emulates a supermoto, but it uses smaller-diameter, 16-inch wheels instead of the motard-standard 17 inches. This is not an unusual wheel size, as the previous generation Kawasaki Ninja 250 and the now-defunct Buell Blast used 16-inch wheels.

Zero says this size provides more nimble handling and improved acceleration.

Much of the 122 kg weight is for the 36 kg battery, which rests where a motorcycle's engine is usually located. Designers made an effort to keep the bulk of the weight low, and the electric motor and incorporated charger are located beneath the battery.

Twist-and-go operation is scooter-like with no gears to shift. The bike didn't feel inferior to a gas-powered motorcycle when accelerating from a stop and, in fact, felt quite strong when gassing it (electrifying it?) from 50 km/h.

Where it differed greatly was in its lack of engine braking. The Zero doesn't have regenerative braking, which charges the battery on deceleration while providing some rolling resistance, so it coasted freely when the throttle was closed (much like a two-stroke motorcycle). It relies on disc brakes that are up to modern motorcycle standards in feel and power for stopping.

Cruising at steady speeds above 60 km/h caused the motor to cut occasionally. I saw a top speed of 85 km/h on the speedometer, but held it for only about 30 seconds before the battery level indicator dipped to empty, a warning light came on and the motor quit.

It reset itself after stopping for about 30 seconds, the battery level returned, and I continued riding for several hours without a hitch, although I kept speeds below 60 km/h.

Stephen Bieda, Zero's Canadian rep, attributed this to heat buildup in the motor, something Zero is working to rectify. Pre-production glitches notwithstanding, there's not much that needs servicing, aside from the drive chain.

Among the Zero's most appealing features is its silent operation. The drive chain whirred and there was an occasional rattle when hitting bumps but otherwise the Zero rolled quietly.

What's it like living with an electric bike? Around town, it's fabulous. Handling is ultra light, bordering on twitchy – though this never wavered confidence due to my test bike's modest top speed (production models will be rated at 110 km/h).

Although the 80 km range seems paltry, it's adequate for city hopping, especially since a recharge is a wall outlet away. Stopping for lunch? Ask to run an extension cord outside while you eat.

I spent four days running errands about town with the Zero, including racking up about 120 km in two days with an overnight recharge. After one 50 km stint of strictly stop-and-go, the battery level indicator (which is comically identified with a gas-pump icon) showed that more than half a charge remained.

A fully depleted battery takes four hours to charge.

After riding the Zero S, I'm all for the electric bike concept. I felt especially vindicated every time I rolled silently by a gas station, smirking that I didn't need a dose of fossil fuel.

This brings us to the bike's main drawback: price. At $11,450 (Canadian), the Zero isn't cheap. The Zero's closest North American competitor is from Brammo, which just this week slashed the retail price of its Enertia from $11,995 U.S. to $7,995 U.S. .

So, you've got to be quite intent on protecting the environment to consider buying a Zero S. Your conscience can rest, however, knowing you'll be contributing almost no greenhouse gases, it will never need gasoline; and your neighbours will give you the thumbs-up every time you ride away.