2020 Husqvarna EE 5 Electric Motorcycle First Look

Husqvarna Motorcycles has officially launched its first-ever electric motorcycle, a 50cc-class off-road bike: the 2020 EE 5. The adaptable EE 5 takes 70 minutes to fully charge and provides two hours of ride time at the lowest performance setting and 25 minutes at the highest performance setting, providing young riders a variety of enjoyment options. It will be available at all Husqvarna dealers in North America this autumn, and otherwise will be available worldwide in July.

Six ride modes with various power characteristics support first-time riders, experienced racers, and every kid in between, with a maximum output of 5 kilowatts at the highest setting and 2 kilowatts at the lowest. The powerful electric motor puts out just over 10 pound-feet of torque (13.8 Nm) from 0 rpm all the way up to the maximum 6,000 rotations per minute. Ride modes are user-selected on the instrument panel located between the steering head and seat (or where you’d otherwise find a gas cap). The panel displays the ride setting and remaining battery charge.

The 48-volt permanent magnet electric motor is powered by 84 lithium-ion cells with a total capacity of 907 WH. The EE 5 has no clutch or transmission, making it even easier for kids to get started riding, and in an environmentally friendly way to boot! The included charger can be connected to any household 110- or 230-volt outlet and plugs right into the bike’s battery pack.

The EE 5 features top-of-the-line suspension by way of a 35mm WP Xact air fork with 8.1 inches (205mm) of travel up front and a fully adjustable WP monoshock with 7.3 inches (185mm) of travel in the rear. The standard 27.5-inch (698mm) seat height can be lowered two ways: first by lowering the bodywork/seat and then by mounting the rear shock in its alternate position. At its lowest setting, the seat rises 25.7 inches (653mm) above the dirt. An accessory suspension lowering kit available through Husqvarna can drop that seat height even further, down to 21.9 inches (556mm) allowing kids of any size and age to enjoy and grow with the EE 5.

Several safety features come standard on the EE 5 which should give parents some peace of mind and let kids keep their confidence up when riding. A built-in rollover sensor instantly kills power in the event of a crash or drop while a lanyard attaches to the kill switch and the rider’s wrist in case of a fall-off. Ride modes can also be locked in with a dongle below the seat so that less experienced riders can’t move into more powerful modes on their own.

If you can’t help but be drawn to the EE 5’s looks, it could be because it was modeled off of Husqvarna’s full-size motocross range. The ergonomics are also based on all the research Husqvarna has put into its full-size range which will allow kids to be more comfortable and confident for longer periods of time. Also aiding in kid comfort is the tapered Neken handlebar which has a 25mm (1 inch) diameter at the center and tapers down to 18mm (0.7 inch) at the grips. The thinner grip diameter increases control and reduces fatigue for riders with smaller hands. The graphics package is also modeled after the full-size machines, though light blue replaces the traditional Husqvarna yellow to indicate the bike’s electric powerplant.

Accompanying the launch of the EE 5 is Husqvarna’s new range of kids’ off-road clothing and protective gear called Kid’s Railed Gear, and a lineup of accessories to further customize ride preferences.