Harley’s next LiveWire electric motorcycle is coming this Summer. Here’s why I bought one
When Harley-Davidson spun off its internal electric motorcycle division into a separate sub-brand known as LiveWire, I was initially a bit worried about what that would mean for future projects. But as soon as I saw the reveal of LiveWire’s next electric motorcycle, the S2 Del Mar, I knew my concerns were unfounded.
Here’s the story of how LiveWire got my money and why I’m excited to be a reservation holder for the upcoming S2 Del Mar electric motorcycle.
The bike isn’t quite here yet, as LiveWire says that the first deliveries of the S2 Del Mar will begin this summer. But that hasn’t stopped me from riding the bike, or at least a prototype.
I loved it when I tried it
Last September, I had the chance to test out a nearly complete prototype and experience the new Arrow architecture of the S2 Del Mar. Unlike the LiveWire One flagship motorcycle that stores its battery cradled inside its frame, the Arrow platform for LiveWire’s next few models uses the battery as a structural element. To grossly oversimplify it, the battery is the frame.
And yet, thanks to slick engineering, the bike still looks good, with a fairly traditional design despite the novel architecture.
Testing out the bike showed me that the S2 Del Mar inherited its big brother LiveWire One’s quick, nearly 3-second 0-60 mph acceleration, meaning you can beat just about anyone off the line, no matter what they ride or drive. And since the bike is electric, those launches are smooth and repeatable every time.
I don’t know what the top speed is, as that figure, along with the motor power and battery capacity, hasn’t been revealed yet. That said, my testing got the bike up to speeds that aren’t legal anywhere in the US, so I’m not terribly concerned with what the final speed turns out to be. It’s fun riding a Zero Motorcycle or Energica capable of 125 mph speeds, but the few times I may or may not have seen triple digits on those bikes also may or may not have made me worry about losing my license. Hypothetically speaking, of course.
Testing out the S2 Del Mar prototype showed me what a fun bike it is to ride in both the city and on the highway. This, of course, isn’t a touring bike, and I have no idea how it’d handle canyon carving since I did my testing in New York and New Jersey. But as a road bike, it’s a blast to ride.
I found it to be more comfortable than the LiveWire One and more my speed. The LiveWire One is an impressive bike, one that I jump at every chance I get to ride, but the S2 Del Mar would be my choice for one to actually own.
The LiveWire S2 Del Mar has the right specs for most of us
The specs fit exactly the type of riding I want to use it for, a mix of urban and highway riding. Whether for commuting or pleasure riding, it’s fast enough and has enough range for my needs.
As I mentioned, the battery capacity is still a mystery (though I’m guessing it will be around 9.5 to 10 kWh). But LiveWire has announced a city range of at least 100 miles (160 km), which is plenty for most cities.
There isn’t level 3 DC fast charging like on the LiveWire One, but motorcycles inherently charge quickly on level 2 public chargers since the batteries aren’t as large as those in electric cars. LiveWire says that a 20-80% charge can top up the majority of the pack in just over an hour. That means a lunch stop or shopping errands is enough time to nearly fill the battery.
Two decades from now, when we’re all enjoying five-minute charge times, we might look back on this and laugh. But for now, that’s plenty for me. Most people, myself included, will likely charge overnight anyway. When you start each day with a “full tank,” and your riding is mostly urban, range anxiety simply doesn’t exist.
I like the way it looks
This one is subjective. But have you ever heard of a more subjective and polarizing vehicle than a motorcycle?
Personally, I like the design. In fact, I love the Comet Indigo colorway, which is one of the reasons I jumped to get a LiveWire S2 Del Mar Launch Edition with the special color option.
To me, the bike looks classy and modern. It has enough character that it doesn’t disappear into a non-offensive, please-as-many-people-as-possible design that some electric motorcycles try to aim for. But it’s also not overly wild. It’s tasteful, and I like it.
Though I also have more selfish reasons for liking the indigo Launch Edition bike. There are only 100 of these individually numbered LE bikes being made, ever. It’s an incredibly important model, both as LiveWire’s first in-house launch (the LiveWire One started out as a Harley-badged bike) and as the first to use the new Arrow platform. Sure, the value will drop the minute the tires first touch the asphalt, but perhaps one day, it will become a collector’s item, just 1 of 100. And while every bike is special, I kind of like knowing that mine is extra special. You can think that’s silly; I don’t care. I’m too busy riding and smiling inside my helmet.
LiveWire’s price is right-ish
As far as I’m concerned, electric motorcycles have two and only two downsides compared to combustion-engine motorcycles. They cost more, and they don’t go as far. As I already covered, the range is fine for my specific needs (and if I ever want to do motorcycle touring, I can just rent a fast-charging electric motorcycle). That leaves the price. At $15,499 for the production version, the LiveWire S2 Del Mar splits the gap in pricing.
Sure, it’s more expensive than a similarly performing gasoline-powered motorcycle. But the ship has long since sailed on me buying a gasser. So compared to other electrics, the price is quite fair. It comes in a bit higher than Zero’s entry-level bikes, but it’s also got higher performance. And it’s also considerably lower than LiveWire’s flagship One with its $23,000 price tag.
Of course, affordability is relative, and there was a time in my life when a $15k bike was far out of reach. I had an e-bike startup in college, and I remember we would buy a single spool of heavy-gauge red wire and paint half of it black to save money. But I’m proud to be at the point where I’ve worked hard enough to save up for a $15k motorcycle. I don’t drive a car, so, to me, this is a reasonable transportation purchase, even if, admittedly, I’ll be getting a lot of recreational use out of it too.
I want to support companies that are moving in the right direction
Most of my reasons for reserving a LiveWire S2 Del Mar are performance and price-based. But one of my last reasons is ideological. It’s not just that I like the way the bike looks and rides. I also like what it stands for.
Of all the legacy motorcycle companies out there, Harley-Davidson was the first to jump feet first into electric motorcycles. Nearly ten years ago, H-D was already developing its first electric model. It took almost a decade for companies like Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Triumph, Royal Enfield, and so many others to merely start to explore real electric motorcycles. None of those companies have models on the road yet and are only now beginning to show off concepts and prototypes (though BMW can at least be commended for its electric maxi-scooters). So I take my hat off to H-D for being so far ahead of the curve compared to all other major legacy motorcycle manufacturers.
Though that leaves the elephant in the room of the many other electric motorcycle competitors. Why didn’t I go with them?
Well, I thought about it. Before putting money down on the LiveWire S2 Del Mar, the main alternatives I considered were the Zero FXE, the RYVID Anthem, and the CSC RX1E. I had a loaner 2019 Zero FXS for several months a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I was in Boston at the time, and it was an awesome bike for the city. But its smaller battery meant that the 90-mile city range turned out to be a good bit lower in practice unless I could stick to a solid 30-35 mph average speed and avoid the fun of putting the front wheel in the air when the light turned green. The new FXE that replaced it is an incredibly fun bike – I’ve tested that one, too – but it doesn’t feel like the same performance as the S2 Del Mar. It would save me around $2,500 compared to the production S2 Del Mar, but to me, the extra cash is worth it.
Next was the RYVID Anthem. I tested that bike, too, and was majorly impressed. The price is also killer, at just $7,800. This bike probably gave the LiveWire S2 Del Mar the biggest run for its money, at least for me. And if I hadn’t reached the point in my life where I could save up the extra dough for the LiveWire, I probably would have gone with the RYVID Anthem. But again, the sporty performance and increased range of the Del Mar won me over.
That leaves the CSC RX1E – an urban commuter motorcycle hiding in an adventure bike’s body. I love the RX1E. It’s not sexy, but damn, is it a good utility bike for everyday commuter purposes. It’s fast enough to take on the highway and has enough storage to do a week’s worth of grocery shopping. And in fact, I did choose this one, too, sort of. I’ve got one in the family, meaning I can ride it anytime I like. As probably the most comfortable electric motorcycle I’ve ever tested, I’m glad to have the CSC RX1E in my quiver (and I’ll be glad to share a full review on that soon).
More LiveWire info coming soon
As we approach LiveWire’s expected summer deliveries of the S2 Del Mar, we are hopefully getting that much closer to the full release of the final specs. We don’t yet know the motor power, top speed, or battery capacity. But having tested the bike myself, I already know it’s insanely powerful, faster than anyone needs, and has enough range for any urban or suburban rider.
While it’s not perfect, the bike offers nearly everything I was looking for and does so in a package I would enjoy being seen on.
I look forward to coming back to you, hopefully soon, with a first ride experience after taking delivery of my bike. Until then, feel free to check out my test ride video on the S2 Del Mar prototype below.
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![All the EVs (and one PHEV) you can buy with 0% financing in March 2025 [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/zero-percent-financing_MARCH.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Lease deals get all the hype, but most people still want to own the car after they’re done making all those payments on it. If that sounds like you, and you’ve been waiting for the interest rates on auto loans to drop, you’re in luck: there are a bunch of great plug-in cars you can buy with 0% financing this March … and that includes a zero percent Tesla deal!
UPDATE: some American icons return to the list, and we’ve got more bonus cash offers, too!
I’ve done a couple of these now, so you probably already know that there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best EVs ..?” Too opinion based. “Cheapest EVs ..?” Too much research. In the end, I went with alphabetical order, by make. And, as for which deals are new this month? You’re just gonna have to read the article. Enjoy!
Acura ZDX
The 2024 Acura ZDX uses a GM Ultium battery and drive motors, but the styling, interior, and infotainment software are all Honda. That means you’ll get a solidly-built EV with GM levels of parts support and Honda levels of fit, finish, and quality control. All that plus Apple CarPlay and 0% financing for up to 72 months makes the ZDX one the best sporty crossover deals in the business.
All the electric Chevy EVs (again)
For the second month in a row, Chevrolet is offering 0% financing for up to 60 months on all three of its Ultium-based EVs – and they’re all winners. The Silverado is an incredibly capable pickup that can be spec’ed up to a 10,500 lb. GVWR, making it eligible for Class 3 incentives up to $30,000 in some markets and capable enough to tow whatever horse, boat, or RV you put behind it.
On the crossover side, both the Chevy Blazer EV and Equinox EV each offer their own takes on the five-passenger family SUV, with the cost of base model Equinox LT FWD models with 319 miles of EPA-rated range dropping to just $27,500 after you apply the $7,500 Federal tax credit (which, for now, is still a thing).
Dodge Charger EV
As the auto industry transitions to electric, Dodge is hoping that at least a few muscle car enthusiasts with extra cash, will find their way to a Dodge store and ask for the meanest, loudest, tire-shreddingest thing on the lot.
These days, that’s the new electric Charger – and you still owed money on the Hemi you just totaled, Dodge will help get the deal done on its latest retrotastic ride with a $3,000 rebate plus 0% financing for up to 72 months!
Ford Mustang Mach-E
This month, you can get a killer deal on a new 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E (shown, above). Through March 31st, you can get $2,500 in bonus cash, a free L2 home charger installed, plus 0% financing for up to 72 months. Tesla owners can also get an additional $1,000 in conquest cash, bringing the hood money total to $3,500.
Ford also announced a 0% financing deal plus $4,000 in bonus cash on the F-150 Lightning pickup, while Ford Pro customers buying an F-150 Lightning for their commercial or public fleet can get even better deals on the OG electric trucks.
GMC Hummer and Sierra Denali EV
The biggest Ultium-based EVs from GM’s commercial truck brand are seriously impressive machines, with shockingly quick acceleration and on-road handling that seems to defy the laws of physics once you understand that these are, essentially, medium-duty trucks. This month, GMC is doing its best to move out its existing inventory of 2024s, so if you’re a fan of heavy metal you’ll definitely want to stop by your local GMC dealer and give the Hummer EV and Sierra Denali EV a test drive.
Honda Prologue
Despite the Honda Prologue was one of the top-selling electric crossovers last year by combining GM’s excellent Ultium platform with Honda sensibilities and Apple CarPlay, Honda upgraded the 2025 model with slightly more EPA range. Even so, there’s still some remaining 2024 inventory out there and dealers are ready to deal (that’s what they do, after all). To make room for the 2025 models, Honda is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months on the remaining 2024s.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai is still offering 0% financing for 60 months on all versions of the hot-selling 2024 IONIQ 5 crossover, making it hard to overlook in the five-passenger segment. It’s worth noting that Hyundai is also offering the 5 with $7,500 bonus cash in select markets, but that offer can’t be stacked with the 0%, so do some math before deciding which way you want to go.
All the Kia EVs
Kia’s EV6 and EV9 have been grabbing headlines and setting sales records sine the Kia EV6 shocked the world, making its global debut on a drag strip where the car ran against a Lamborghini, a Porsche, and an AMG Mercedes (and won). This month, however, it’s the Kia Niro EV’s turn to shine thanks to 0% financing on the fun, compact urban runabout for up to 60 months.
The Niro’s bigger siblings are getting the 0% treatment, too, for a longer 72 month term.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
One of the first three-row plugin cars to hit the market (and a frequent addition to these 0% lists), Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV offers up to 38 miles of electric range from its 20 kWh li-ion battery, making it a great “lily pad” vehicle for suburban families who want to drive electric but still worry about being able to find a charging station when they need one.
Nissan Ariya
I’ve already said that the Nissan Ariya didn’t get a fair shake. If you click that link, you’ll read about a car that offers solid driving dynamics, innovative interior design, and all the practicality that makes five-passenger crossovers the must-haves they’ve become for most families. With great discounts available at participating dealers, Supercharger access, and 0% interest from Nissan for up to 72 months, Nissan dealers should have no trouble finding homes for their remaining 2024 Ariya crossovers.
Subaru Soltera
Despite being something of a slow seller, this mechanical twin of the Toyota bZ4X EV seems like a solid mid-size electric crossover with some outdoorsy vibes and granola style that offers more than enough utility to carry your mountain bikes to the trail or your kayaks to the river. The company is hoping to help clear out its remaining 2024 models with big discounts and 0% financing for up to 72 months.
Tesla Model 3
Say what you will about Elon Musk – and I say plenty over on the Quick Charge podcast – the fact remains that we wouldn’t be here talking about EVs at all if it wasn’t for his marketing brilliance, bravado, and sheer force of will. Beyond that, Tesla simply offers as superior ownership experience through total software integration, unfettered access to the Supercharger network, and the best EV route-planning software this side of Chargeway.
If you can stomach being associated with Elon (or have an inside line on some spare Honda badges), you can get a new Model 3 for 0% interest or 0.99% with $0 down if you apply the $7,500 Federal tax incentive at the point of purchase.
Volkswagen ID.4
One of the most popular legacy EVs, the ID.4 offers Volkswagen build quality and (for 2024) a Chat-GPT enabled interface. To keep ID.4 sales rolling, VW dealers are getting aggressive with discounts, making this fast-charging, 291 mile EPA-rated range, 5-star safety rated EV a value proposition that’s tough to beat.
This month, get a Volkswagen ID.4 with 0% financing for up to 72 months plus a $5,000 customer cash bonus to stack with it.
Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect, CarEdge, and (where mentioned) the OEM websites – and were current as of 09MAR2025. These deals may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied). Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.
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Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.
Workhorse first showed its W56 medium-duty electric truck at Indiana’s Work Truck Week in 2023, and has sold the trucks to logistics and delivery companies like FedEx and Pride Group – which ordered more than six thousand of the electric vans in 2021, and continues to expand its fleet.
“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”
As part of the approval process, Workhorse completed its registration as a foreign manufacturer under Transport Canada’s Appendix G clearance program. Transport Canada confirmed the vans’ compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for both vehicles – but it remains to be seen if and how the latest tariff-driven trade war between the Trump Administration’s US and Canada will impact Workhorse’s plans to expand throughout North America.
Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.
Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Workhorse, via Electric Autonomy Canada.
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![Liebherr developing giant, 140-ton Segway-style autonomous haulers [video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/operational-area-earth-moving-copy.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.
Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).
The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.
LIEBHERR
Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.
The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.
Liebherr will show the S1 Vision at this year’s bauma equipment exhibition in Munich, Germany. The design has already been nominated for the bauma Innovation Award in the Mechanical Engineering category – and my money’s on it winning.
Electrek’s Take
This is such goofy, stupid fun that if it was wheelbarrow-sized I’d have three of them. I can’t imagine the insanity of watching one of these things roll across a job site with 100 tons of granite in the bucket – and will have nightmares about the kind of damage it could do if it flipped out like a poorly made Chinese hoverboard clone whipping a toddler across a living room … which, in fairness, would probably get a billion views on Instagram or TikTok or whatever.
I can’t wait.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Liebherr.
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