Your local police department has no excuse for not going green, now that electric motorcycle manufacturers Zero have unveiled their new police bike.
The motorcycle is a re-purposed Zero DS model; the company has been working on this project for two years, in conjunction with police departments from over the world, including police based in California and the U.K.
Like the Zero DS, the Zero Police is available in both a 6kw or 9kw version, allowing them to travel either 70 or 112 miles of mixed city and highway riding on a single charge, according to EPA testing. Real-world use, especially with sirens, flashing lights, and baggage attached, may show that range to be more limited.
Speaking of lights, the main difference between the Police and the DS model is forward- and rearward-facing flashing LED emergency lights and a siren, both from Whelen, as well as an emergency lighting wiring harness, headlight and taillight cutoff switches, battery and frame guards and four-way flashers. Buyers can upgrade to 21-litre hard cases, a detachable windshield, a quick charge kit, front axle sliders, aluminum handguards and a few other geegaws.
Will the Zero Police become a favourite of the boys in blue? Over the decades, motorcycle cops seem to have favoured flashy cruisers from Harley-Davidson, or sport-tourers from Kawasaki, BMW, Honda and the like – dual sports haven’t made much of a splash, at least in North America, and electric bikes are a complete novelty. But, the Zero’s roll-on power and low maintenance costs, as well as its potential for stealth, could make it ideal for some police departments.
