LiveWire Launches Electric Motorcycle Line for Police, Security Use
By Jennifer Ramsey
Source Market Moves
More on OFFICER.com
Calif. Police Department Unveils All-Electric Fleet of Tesla Vehicles
- The South Pasadena Police Department has replaced its gas-powered vehicles with a fleet of 20 new Teslas—10 Model Ys for cruisers and 10 Model 3s for detective and administrative duties.
LiveWire plans to launch a new line of its S2 Del Mar and Alpinista model electric motorcycles specifically made for patrol use. The models come with safety features such as cornering enhanced ABS and traction control. The standard Patrol kit also includes a 120 dB siren, side cases and a top case, a windshield, hand guards, additional crash protection, and 12 SpeedTech LED lights with an auxiliary power supply.
The motorcycles, which are manufactured in York, Pennsylvania, are priced from $15,999 to $16,249 and come with a five-year unlimited mileage battery warranty battery and an extendable two-year unlimited mileage warranty for the actual vehicle. According to LiveWire, the models are already available on its website and the company has secured its first fleet deal for the police department in the city of St. Cloud, Florida.
Electric motorcycles have some benefits over their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts: Aside from being simpler to operate due to lack of a clutch and minimal vibration, the quieter operations and zero-emission nature gives them the advantage of outdoor and indoor use for conventions and stadium use. According to LiveWire’s website, the S2 Del Mar weighs 46 pounds, has a 113-mile city range, and can charge 20%–80% in 78 minutes on a Level 2 charger. The Alpinista has the same charge rate, but is slightly lighter at 434 pounds with a 120-mile city range.
As an electric-focused spin-off of Harley-Davidson, LiveWire’s new offering is just the latest development in the long-standing relationship between the motorcycle giant and law enforcement. In 1908, the Detroit police department was the first to integrate Harley-Davidson motorcycles due to their speed and mobility. At the time, there were no police-specific models; instead, officers rode civilian motorcycles painted with department colors. In 1930, the company produced the first motorcycles intended for police use. Today, roughly 3,400 departments ride Harley-Davidsons.
