Skip to main content

Harley-Davidson’s second electric model will be smaller than the LiveWire

Harley Mid-Power sketch

Harley-Davidson has repeatedly stressed the LiveWire, its first series-produced electric model, will spearhead a broad expansion into zero-emissions territory. It released a preview sketch that sheds light on its second battery-powered two-wheeler, a bike it cryptically refers to internally as the Mid-Power.

While the LiveWire is a relatively big cruiser, the motorcycle depicted in the sketch looks like a smaller model whose design draws inspiration from Harley’s decades-long experience in flat-track racing. There’s not much plastic fairing on it so powertrain components like the battery pack are fully exposed. Tinted LED lights and black Y-spoke wheels give it a sinister look. I don’t see analog gauges, meaning it’s likely equipped with a digital instrument cluster.

And yet, the Mid-Power looks nearly ready for production. It’s not difficult to imagine Harley bringing it to showrooms without major modifications. One thing will certainly change: The name. Mid-Power doesn’t have much of a ring to it, and it sounds like more of a code name for the model than an upcoming nameplate.

At least the designation hints at what to expect in terms of specifications. It won’t be as quick as the LiveWire, it will offer riders less horsepower, and it will come with a smaller battery pack. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will be considerably slower, because it will also be smaller and lighter. If the LiveWire is the Tesla Model S, the Mid-Power will be positioned on the same level as the Model 3. For context, Harley’s first plug-in uses a 78-horsepower electric motor, a 15.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, and it offers up to 110 miles of riding range.

The Mid-Power is expected to join the Harley-Davidson range by 2022 at the latest. Pricing, like much else, remains under wraps but I expect it will cost less than the LiveWire, which starts at approximately $30,000. It will be less powerful than its bigger sibling and it will use a smaller battery pack so it will be cheaper to build. Expanding its electric lineup will allow Harley to benefit from economies of scale, and it will (hopefully) pass the savings onto riders. In the meantime, the firm is gearing up to launch a battery-powered scooter by the end of 2021.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Harley, reigning champ Indian unveil their flat track race teams for 2018 season
harley davidson and indian 2018 flat track racing teams american aft

Can Indian do it again? Drama and excitement grew the fanbase and followers of American Flat Track motorcycle racing in 2017. Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle's historic flat track racing rivalry was rekindled. Indian returned in 2017 to field a team with a brand-new racing bike after more than 50 years' absence from competition.

No one, however, including Indian executives, expected the outcome. The Indian team swept the season. Indian rider Jared Mees won the Grand National Championship and teammates Bryan Smith and Brad Baker took second and third place in championship points for the 18-race season. Mees finished in first place in 10 races last season. The Indian team took all three top podium spots (first, second, and third place) in six races in 2017. As the 2018 AFT season approaches, the chances of a repeat team sweep have become slimmer.

Read more
Harley-Davidson’s Snow Hill Climb debuts at Winter X Games
Harley-Davidson Snow Hill Climb debuts at X Games Aspen

Harley-Davidson brings a new medaled action-sports event to X Games Aspen 2018. The Harley-Davidson Snow Hill Climb will pit riders side-by-side on wildly modified H-D Sportsters, and the biker that reaches the top of the SuperPipe course gets the "W" for each race.

The hill climb, which goes up a course normally reserved for snowboarders, is scheduled to close out the X Games on January 28. Preliminary rounds and qualifying heats will stream live on the Harley-Davidson Facebook page on Sunday, January 28  at 10:15 p.m. ET. ESPN will air the gold and bronze medal rounds live that same evening at 10:45 p.m.

Read more
Major changes in 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycles confuse some fans, please most
New quick-change Harley-Davidson Sport Glide joins 2018 Softail family
2018 Harley Davidson Softail Family

Harley-Davidson celebrates its 115th anniversary with the 2018 model year. In addition to six motorcycle "family" groups with 32 distinct models, the Milwaukee company launched 10 distinctively styled 115th Anniversary editions. When you add four Softail models that available with one of two different engines, the 2018 model count jumps to 46.

Harley already promised to launch 100 new models in the next 10 years, including a full line of electric-powered motorcycles. According to Harley-Davidson Museum Vice President Bill Davidson in a conversation with Drive, the ebikes won't have the distinctive 45-degree V-twin "potato-potato" sound. Instead, the electric motorcycles will produce a unique sound similar to a jet fighter.
2018 Harley-Davidson news and updates
Harley introduced a ninth member of the new Softail family, the Sport Glide, in early November 2017. The Sport Glide is based on the new Softail frame and uses the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. Quick release hard saddlebags and small fairing-based windshield equip the Sport Glide for city cruising and over-the-road touring.

Read more