On April 6, 2019, the Petersen Automotive Museum debuted the world’s first exhibit dedicated exclusively to the electric motorcycle. Located in the Richard Varner Family Gallery, “Electric Revolution” explores the history and current state of the e-bike industry with 21 groundbreaking examples from visionary custom builders and established manufacturers.
The exhibit assembles a dynamic mix of custom, prototype, racing and production electric motorcycles from CAKE, Neil Connolly, Curtiss Motorcycles, Alta Motors, Shiny Hammer, Blatant Moto, Joey Ruiter and more. American industry stalwart Harley-Davidson graciously underwrote the exhibit and provided three recent prototypes from their EV program, including the 2020 LiveWire.
Other key bikes on display include CAKE’s “Kalk,” Sweden’s innovative, light and stylish off-road e-bike that sold out its first run and has won design awards around the world; Neil Connolly’s “STROM 36,” which was the first-ever electric bike to be featured in the AMD World Championship Custom Show in 2015; and Curtiss Motorcycles’ “Zeus,” which was the company’s debut bike after re-branding in 2018.
“The transportation industry is amidst an “Electric Revolution,” and e-bikes represent the future,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “Our new exhibit provides an insightful glimpse into this revolution from the perspective of custom e-bike builders and established manufacturers to paint a thorough picture of where the industry has been and where it’s going next.”
The exhibit is guest curated by Motorcycle Arts Foundation (MAF) Co-Founder Paul d’Orleans, who previously guest curated the highly successful “Custom Revolution” exhibit at the Petersen last year. The exhibit is designed by Falcon Motorcycles Founder Ian Barry, features graphics by British artist Nicolai Sclater of Ornamental Conifer, and is produced by MAF and MAF Co-Founder and Chairman, Sasha Tcherevkoff.
“Electric Revolution” will close in November 2019. For more information about the exhibit and the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit Petersen.org
