Electrify America to Offer Free Charging to Buyers of Harley Davidson's Electric Livewire Motorcycle

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Harley Davidson Livewire electric bike goes on sale next month.

Electrify America, the company that was formed as restitution for the Volkswagen "Dieselgate" scandal to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S., is opening its EV charging network to buyers of Harley Davidson's new Livewire electric motorcycle beginning next month.

Electrify America announced an agreement with the Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer to provide owners of its first all-electric motorcycle with the per minute equivalent of 500 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging over two years at Electrify America stations nationwide.

The iconic U.S. motorcycle brand, founded back in 1903, is hoping to lure in younger buyers with its first battery-powered bike, which is set to go on sale in August. The LiveWire motorcycle features a high-voltage lithium ion battery providing 146 miles (235 km) of city range or 95 miles (152 km) of combined stop-and-go and highway range, according to the company.

"With an average of 70 miles between each of our charging stations, we are creating a network that is premium, ubiquitous and powerful, so it makes sense that we would expand that offering to electric motorcycle owners," said Giovanni Palazzo, president and CEO of Electrify America. "We are excited to work with an iconic brand like Harley-Davidson, as part of a shared commitment to advancing the electric transportation industry."

LiveWire motorcycle customers who purchase models manufactured between August 2019 and July 2021 can enroll and manage their charging plan through the newly launched Electrify America smartphone app, available for both the Android and iPhone OS.

In addition, Electrify America EV charging locations will be integrated with the latest version of the Harley-Davidson App so riders can locate a nearby Electrify America charging site.

Harley-Davidson customers will be able to take advantage of Electrify America's network of ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers in 42 states.

"At Harley-Davidson, we are taking significant steps to lead in the electrification of motorcycling, including supporting the development of global charging infrastructure," said Luke Mansfield, vice president and chief strategy officer for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "We look forward to providing our customers with ample opportunities to charge their Livewire motorcycles, including having access to complimentary charging on Electrify America's growing network."

A newly-opened Electrify America EV charging site near San Francisco, California

Electrify America has begun implementing the Cycle 2 National ZEV Investment Plan and Cycle 2 California ZEV Investment Plan and expects to install or have under construction around 800 charging station sites with 3,500 chargers by December 2021, allowing EV drivers to travel coast to coast without worrying about running out of charge. 

Electrify America is expanding its network to 29 metropolitan areas in 45 states, including two cross-country routes.

Volkswagen formed Electrify America, which is based in Reston, Virginia, as restitution for the 2015 dieselgate scandal where the automaker admitted to using software to falsify emissions in its diesel-powered models sold in the U.S. The illicit software was activated whenever a diesel vehicle was undergoing smog testing to mask higher than allowable pollutants from the exhaust.

The company is investing $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle infrastructure, education and access. The investment will support the build-out of a nationwide network EV charging locations.

FutureCar Staff