Harley-Davidson announces its first electric motorbike – in pictures

As well as the LiveWire, the famed American bike manufacturer also previewed new petrol-powered models

<p>The LiveWire, Harley-Davidson&#39;s first electric motorbike. Harley-Davidson</p>

The Harley-Davidson Streetfighter, part of the company's new 500cc to 1250cc 'middleweight platform' of petrol-powered motorcycles. Harley-Davidson

The Streetfighter will have a 975cc engine. Harley-Davidson

The Harley-Davidson Pan America, another of the new 'middleweight' models announced by the American bikemaker. Harley-Davidson

The Harley-Davidson Custom, which is also part of the 'middleweight' range. Harley-Davidson

The Custom and the other new petrol bikes have a mooted launch date of 2020. Harley-Davidson

From Easy Rider to Sons of Anarchy, and as the trusted steed of the Hells Angels gang, Harley-Davidson's growling engines have become synonymous with biker culture the world over – but the American manufacturer has now announced its first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire.

Details about the specifications of the all-electric model are still to be unveiled, but the LiveWire is due to be on sale from next year, initially in North America and Europe, and will be made at Harley's plant in York, Pennsylvania.

The bike arrives off the back of Project LiveWire, an electric prototype model created in 2014.

The company, which celebrates its 115th anniversary this year, described the LiveWire as the first in a range of "no-clutch, twist-and-go" electric two-wheelers that will be followed by additional electric models "through 2022".

Whether its loyal fan base will buy Harley's proclamation that the LiveWire is "an authentic Harley-Davidson expression of individuality, iconic style and performance that just happens to be electric", however, remains to be seen.

The LiveWire's design is certainly more in line with much of Harley's latter-day range of petrol models, though, rather than the celebrated chopper outline with which it became a globally recognised brand and bikers' favourite.

The company also announced a new 500cc to 1250cc "middleweight platform" of petrol-powered motorcycles, which will be kicked off by the Pan America 1250, the 1250cc Custom and the 975cc Streetfighter, with a mooted 2020 launch date.

________________

Read more:

Latest from The National's Motoring section

________________