Zero Lompico Similar to Hero VxZ, New Global Electric Motorcycle Signal

JAKARTA - Zero Motorcycles introduced the Lompico Concept as a compact electric motorcycle with an 8.8 kWh battery and power of around 40 horsepower. However, quoting a report from RideApart, Friday, June 12, the biggest story of this motorcycle is not only its specifications, but also the alleged Hero MotoCorp footprint behind it.

Lompico is not like the motorcycles that have built the name of Zero. This is not a large-powered electric motorcycle. It is also not a motor that pursues extreme acceleration or jumbo batteries. The direction is more grounded: an urban commuter motorcycle that approaches the 400 cc gasoline motorcycle class.

Until now, one of the big problems of Zero is the price. The motor is attractive, but not cheap. On the other hand, the charging infrastructure and the mileage of electric motors are still a consideration for many buyers.

Therefore, Lompico looks like a signal that Zero is starting to look at a wider market. Not just premium buyers, but daily riders who need a practical, lightweight, and reasonable motorcycle.

At this point, the name of Hero MotoCorp becomes important. The Indian automotive giant is not an ordinary investor. Hero has poured millions of dollars into Zero and is working together to develop a small electric motorcycle platform for the global market.

For Hero, this cooperation gives access to Zero's electric vehicle technology. For Zero, Hero offers production scale, supply chain, and manufacturing experience that is hard to match.

Earlier this year, Hero's electric vehicle division, Vida, introduced the VxZ. The name means Vida x Zero. Now, after the patent images of the production version of VxZ and Zero Lompico appear, the resemblance is increasingly difficult to ignore.

RideApart noted that the two motorcycles seemed to share many components. The trellis frame is similar, the wheels and brake components look the same. Both use upside-down front suspension, rear monoshock, similar swingarms, TFT screens, to number plate holders on the swingarm.

The trellis frame is a woven-shaped pipe frame that is commonly used to pursue strength with a light weight. Monoshock means one shock absorber in the back. TFT is a color digital screen that displays vehicle information.

With that list of similarities, it's hard to call it just a coincidence. It's more accurate if Lompico is said to share a technical basis with Hero VxZ.

However, that doesn't mean Lompico is just a "Hero stamped with the Zero logo". The automotive industry has long been familiar with the practice of sharing platforms. Many brands use the same chassis, engines, or technology, but still sell products with different characters.

The part that makes Lompico still feel like a Zero product is in its software. Zero introduces the Cypher 4 operating system, with connectivity features, predictive diagnostics, charging management, and wider settings.

Predictive diagnosis means that the system can read the potential of a malfunction before the problem gets bigger. This is important for electric motors, because driving experience is not only determined by the motor and battery, but also the software.

In terms of the market, Lompico is eyeing an interesting space. Its performance is suitable for developing countries, A2 license users in Europe, and urban commuters in the United States. The design is also not too strange. It still looks like a motorcycle, not a sci-fi movie property.

That's important. Many riders don't need an electric motorcycle that is too futuristic. They just want a motorcycle that looks good, is fun to ride, is easy to use, and is still affordable.

If this pattern is true, Lompico could be a new direction for Zero. Hero takes care of production power. Zero brings technology and driving experience. The two meet in a more realistic electric motorcycle class for the global market.

The Lompico may not be Zero's most powerful electric motorcycle. But, precisely because of that, it could become one of Zero's most important products in recent years.