Zero/Hershner Win Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge
Zero Motorcycles announced today that longtime customer and collaborator, Terry Hershner, won the Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge. Founded by motorcycle designer Craig Vetter, the winner of the Vetter Challenge is determined by using the least amount of energy, as measured in dollars and cents, versus the cost of miles per gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel.
Aboard his modified 2012 Zero S electric motorcycle with an aerodynamic fairing, “Electric Terry” covered 172 miles at a cost of only $2.29, or approximately 1.3 cents per mile, becoming the first electric powered motorcycle to win and the most efficient to date. Even accounting for higher electricity costs and paying an equivalent in fuel taxes, Hershner and his Zero motorcycle were 25% better than their nearest petroleum powered competitor.
After riding his winning motorcycle from Utah back to Zero Motorcycles’ headquarters near Santa Cruz, California, Hershner said, “I enjoy showing people what an electric motorcycle is capable of. The Zero is fun to ride, replaces most trips by car, and as we demonstrated at the Vetter Challenge, remarkably efficient.”
Hershner started riding electric motorcycles in 2008, bought his Zero in 2012, and has been pushing boundaries ever since. In a couple short years, he has logged over 66,000 miles on his Zero S. His upcoming goals include completing the “Iron Butt” challenge (1000 miles in 24 hours) and bettering his United States coast-to-coast time of 135 hours. Terry logs many of his travels on Facebook.
For more information on Zero Motorcycles or to learn more about its complete motorcycle line, including the Zero S, Zero SR, Zero DS, and Zero FX motorcycles, visit www.zeromotorcycles.com.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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