Green Motorcycling

Looks like California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has made room in his love affair with the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy he so prominently put on the map after the blockbuster Terminator 2 (T2) movie back in 1991.

Schwarzenegger recently straddled an electric motorcycle at a press conference the other day created not by Cyberdyne Systems but by Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz) manufacturer Zero Motorcycles.

Arnold is no stranger to motorcycles as in years past he has been spotted riding many traditional gas-powered V-twin bikes to the famed Rock Store in the hills above Malibu. This time, Schwarzenegger was at a demonstration of the Zero electric motorcycle in San Francisco.

The Terminator was busy promoting the approval of a new statewide rebate program that provides electric motorcycle buyers with $1,500.00 off the purchase price. The Zero S is also eligible for the recently passed 10% federal tax credit. Rebates along with the economy of an electric motorcycle could be appealing to some.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Quote

"Zero electric motorcycles are very important technology and this is great for California because this is an ideal place to ride motorcycles," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

"I love the financial side of these motorcycles because they cost less then one cent per mile to operate and you get a 10% federal tax credit plus a California rebate of $1,500. That equates to a 25 percent price reduction making these electric motorcycles affordable for anybody."

Gene Banman Quote

"We are honored to be here and to have received the support of Governor Schwarzenegger. We are a California company creating California jobs and are extremely proud the Governor's office recognized us for our efforts," said Gene Banman, CEO, Zero Motorcycles.

Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoyed the Zero Motorcycles. Others will find the price-performance equation of an electric motorcycle out of reach due to the $9,995 MSRP.