ZERO DS (2019 - on) Review

Following the success of Zero’s dual sport models, the American brand has focused on these bikes for 2019 including the Zero DS. The increased range makes it a more viable petrol alternative, but the charge times could still be an issue.

The Zero DS comes with two different battery options, a longer range version with a ZF14.4 battery and an 11kW A1 licence version with a smaller ZF7.2 battery. The ZF14.4 battery version can also be made to fit 11kW regulations.

The lower capacity ZF7.2 battery version of the DS gets a 42% power increase for 2019, and is 43kg lighter than the longer range ZF14.4 version.

The ZF7.2 version has a claimed city range of 80 miles, a charge time of just over five hours but still pumps out an impressive 44bhp, compared to the 69bhp of the ZF14.4 version. It also manages an incredible 78ftlb of torque which is more than a KTM 990 Superduke.

This makes it a fun and practical option for those with an urban commute, especially since the smaller battery frees up luggage space.

The Zero DS ZF14.4 can have a power tank added (for an extra £3,000) which gives it a petrol-rivalling 132-mile combined range (98 miles highway, 220 miles city) but the extra cost takes the bike up to £16,650.