There’s an ongoing debate about climate change. Climate change or no climate change, electric vehicles are on the rise and so are electric motorcycles. Electric motors have great horsepower, are easy on the wallet, and pollute less than fuel combustion engines. Most people didn’t see this coming, but Harley-Davidson is set to release an electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, in 2019. With a fully-adjustable Showa suspension, traction control, cornering enhanced anti-lock brakes, and visually stunning design, this electric could convert old Harley believers and millennials alike. As New Atlas puts it, “Harley's going wide open throttle to take the lead on mass-market premium electric motorcycling. And that's got to be good for progress.”

30 Percent of Vehicles Will Be Electric by 2030

 There are a number of reasons why electric vehicles are growing rapidly in popularity. They’re better for the environment than conventional vehicles, and with the possible savings in maintenance, fuel costs and tax breaks, in some cases, electric vehicles are a popular choice for consumers who want to save money as well.

While most people tend to think of the shift to electric vehicles as a shift that predominantly affects consumers who drive conventional cars, electric scooters and motorcycles are included in this shift, too.

Why Electric Vehicles?

 Electric vehicles are growing more popular as a greener alternative to conventional vehicles, which utilize nonrenewable energy sources for fuel. Because they don’t run on a combustion engine, electric vehicles don’t pollute the air with tailpipe emissions.

Not having a combustion engine leads to a lot of other benefits for electric vehicle owners, too. Electric vehicles don’t require the same kind of regular maintenance that conventional vehicles do. For example, they don’t require oil, so oil changes are a thing of the past.

Because they’re more beneficial for the environment, new electric vehicle owners are also eligible for a federal tax deduction ranging from $2,500 to $7,500. And that’s not the end of the cost savings associated with electric vehicles. While electric vehicle owners will still be paying for the electricity they use to charge their vehicles, the cost per mile for an electric vehicle can be anywhere from one-third to one-quarter of the price of fuel for conventional vehicles.

Like other technological advancements, electric vehicles might seem like a product that only a small percentage of the population utilizes, but, just like those other advancements, which include cell phones, email, and even cars, they all reach a tipping point where the begin to become ubiquitous. According to National Geographic, it’s estimated that approximately 30 percent of vehicles in the US will be electric by the late 2020s. It’s estimated that number will grow to 93 percent by the early 2040s.

Why the Electric Motorcycle?

It makes sense that the shift to electric vehicles would include motorcycle riders. One of the biggest advantages to the electric motorcycle, other than the benefits for the environment and easy maintenance and cost savings mentioned above, is that electric motors have great horsepower potential. With Harley-Davidson’s electric bike offering, the LiveWire, you can get “instantaneous power the moment you twist the throttle.” With no clutch to release or gears to run through, the LiveWire can go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 3.5 seconds.

The New Harley-Davidson LiveWire is an Electrifying Start

 First introduced as a prototype in 2014, the LiveWire is Harley-Davidson’s first push into the electric vehicle marketplace. With plans to introduce the bike in 2019, the LiveWire could be just the right Harley Davidson for electric vehicle and sustainability enthusiasts.

Harley-Davidson’s Chief Operating Officer Michelle Kumbier has suggested that the LiveWire is only the beginning, saying that the Harley-Davidson brand plans to go “big” into electric vehicles, “with a family of products that will range in size, power, as well as price.”

What We Know About the LiveWire So Far

When looking at the LiveWire, it’s clear that something about the bike is different from your typical Harley. The retro-futuristic look of the bike is designed to embrace the classic feel and style of a Harley while also highlighting just what makes this bike different. The bike even has a faux gas tank embedded in the design to keep the bike from looking too unrecognizable from the traditional Harley. The LiveWire can also be outfitted with your favorite Harley Davidson accessories to further customize your bike.

The LiveWire will also have a fully adjustable Dyna suspension, an estimated 110 mile range on each full charge, and a whole lot of horsepower. A connected app on a smartphone allows riders to quickly check the bike’s battery status, find charging stations, find the bike’s location on a map and get security alerts if the bike is tampered with.

With this newest launch from Harley-Davidson and the motorcycles to come in the future from Harley and other makes, bikers will be cruising into the electric vehicle revolution.