KTM TO BACK-BURNER THEIR ELECTRIC FREERIDE BIKES

KTM Freeride.

KTM got a lot of buzz from their electric Freeride bikes, but KTM CEO Stefan Pierer told Motociclismo this week that the cost of battery packs are a problem. “The battery technology simply is not at a level which can justify the investment in the product,” Pierer said. “Our electric bike is ready and developed, but the battery pack costs $2600. That is just too much. The electric bike markets will take off only when the product is less expensive and more efficient, it has to be truly innovative for this technology to work.”

Husqvarna e-GO.

When introduced the KTM Freeride E produced 30 horsepower at peak with a 2.1 kWh battery pack. The drive train was developed by Vienna Development Institute. It appears as though KTM will back-burner the Freeride project and, most likely, kill the Husqvarna e-GO prototype as well.