Zero Motorcycles brings CCS: models from 2022 can be retrofitted too

• Charging from 20 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with batteries of up to 17.3 kWh
• Retrofit kit planned for S, SR, SR/S, SR/F, DS, DSR and DSR/X with the Cypher III operating system
• Market launch during 2027, exact prices and specifications still to come

On 2 September 2026, Zero Motorcycles announced in Amsterdam that it will add Level 3 direct current charging to the CCS standard to its range. The manufacturer has been working on electric motorcycles for more than 20 years and has so far relied exclusively on alternating current charging. With the new fast-charging module, a Zero will in future be able to use DC fast chargers with a CCS connector as well as Type 2 points.

What exactly changes when charging a Zero?

In future the motorcycles will be able to charge with direct current at CCS stations instead of only with alternating current at Type 2 points. The battery is said to go from 20 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes, provided its capacity is up to 17.3 kWh.

Until now the picture has been different. As standard, the models concerned charge at 6.6 kW. Anyone wanting more could have the so-called Rapid Charge System retrofitted through a dealer, raising charging power to 12.6 kW. Zero describes that figure as a benchmark in the industry. According to the manufacturer, going from 20 to 80 percent then takes less than 45 minutes.

The fast-charging module is currently being finalised by the development team. It is due to be available during 2027 for all new street and dual-sport motorcycles.

Zero Motorcycles CCS: which models can be retrofitted?

In the footnote of its press release, Zero names seven model lines: S, SR, SR/S, SR/F, DS, DSR and DSR/X, each with the Cypher III operating system. The retrofit kit is to be offered for all street and dual-sport machines of this generation built from model year 2022 onwards.

Motorcycles without Cypher III are therefore not included. The press release explicitly ties compatibility to this operating system.

Cypher III is the software and electronics platform Zero has used since 2022 to control riding modes, power delivery and, indeed, charging functions. It is the reason the compatibility can be drawn so clearly.

How much charging power lies behind the 30-minute figure?

Zero itself does not quote a kilowatt figure for the new module. A minimum value can, however, be derived from the manufacturer’s figures. Between 20 and 80 percent, around 10.4 kWh flows into a 17.3 kWh battery. To do that in less than half an hour requires an average charging power of more than 20 kW.

That would be around 1.7 times as much as the previous Rapid Charge System with its 12.6 kW.

Zero is keeping quiet about the final charging specifications for now. They are only due to be published as development progresses.

What advantages does the CCS connector bring on the road?

With CCS, a Zero can charge at DC fast chargers that were previously closed to it. Zero itself justifies the move by saying that DC charging is spreading quickly in Europe and North America.

One practical difference concerns the charging cable. At Type 2 stations riders usually have to bring their own cable. At CCS stations, by contrast, the cable is permanently attached.

AC charging does not disappear. The standard 6.6 kW charging remains, and CCS is added as an extra option.

What will the CCS retrofit cost?

Zero has not yet named a price. Details on pricing, availability and the requirements for the retrofit are only due to follow as development continues.

The existing extra-cost options provide a rough guide. Depending on the model, the Rapid Charge System and the optional additional battery for the dummy tank cost around 3,500 euros (approximately 4,070 US dollars). Whether the CCS module will be priced in this range is still open.

Which questions remain open?

The main open point is exactly which motorcycles can be converted. Zero refers to street and dual-sport models with batteries of up to 17.3 kWh. Which battery variants are included and which technical requirements apply to the conversion will only be published later.

The date has not been fixed either. Zero names the year 2027, but neither a quarter nor a model year.

The announcement is part of the electric new releases for 2027, but it does not only concern upcoming models. The retrofit is aimed at owners of third-generation motorcycles already sold. They are to be able to use the new charging technology without having to buy a new motorcycle.

What does Zero itself say about the decision?

Zero explains the move with customer demand and the expansion of the charging infrastructure. CEO Pierre-Martin Bos frames the technology as a contribution to the switch to electric mobility.

He talks about direct current charging winning more riders over to the brand and about it being a feature customers have asked for. He explicitly stresses that the company did not want to reserve the technology solely for future models: „We did not want to offer this technology only on future Zero models, but also to give thousands of existing Zero owners the chance to benefit from this new feature and thereby further increase the value of their motorcycle.” He considers the timing right because direct current charging continues to spread rapidly in Europe and North America.

Frequently Asked Questions