Lightning Motorcycles
| Company Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Electric Vehicle Manufacturing |
| Founded | 2006 (or 2009) |
| Founder | Richard Hatfield |
| Headquarters | Hollister, California, United States |
| Area Served | North America |
| Key People | Richard Hatfield (CEO), Jojo Hatfield (COO) |
| Products | Electric motorcycles, Electric vehicle platforms |
| Website | lightningmotorcycle.com |
Lightning Motorcycles Corp. is an American manufacturer of electric motorcycles and electric vehicle (EV) technology based in Hollister, California. The company is best known for producing the LS-218, which held the title of the world’s fastest street-legal production electric motorcycle, achieving a top speed of 218 mph (351 km/h) .
History
The company was founded by Richard Hatfield, an amateur car racer whose interest in electric vehicles began in 1997 when he joined an electric Porsche racing team. He started Lightning Motorcycles in 2006 (though some sources cite 2009) in San Carlos, California, initially converting a former Yamaha R1 race bike to electric power .
In 2008, the company developed a lithium battery-powered ATV intended for military, border control, and law enforcement applications . The company moved into a larger corporate headquarters in San Jose, California, in 2018 to expand production and R&D capabilities before eventually relocating to its current facility in Hollister .
Racing History and Records
Lightning established its reputation through competition, aiming to prove that electric motorcycles could outperform gasoline-powered counterparts.
- Land Speed Records: At the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials on the Bonneville Salt Flats, a Lightning bike set a new land speed record in 2011. In 2012, the bike achieved a two-way average speed of 215.96 mph with a top speed of 218.96 mph. This performance led to the naming of the production model, the LS-218 .
- Pikes Peak: In 2013, rider Carlin Dunne won the overall motorcycle field at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb riding an LS-218. This victory marked the first time an electric motorcycle had defeated all gasoline-powered competitors in the event’s history .
- Racing Series: The company also won the joint eGrandPrix TTXGP and FIM ePower electric motorcycle racing series at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2012 .
Products
LS-218
The LS-218 is a superbike that entered production in 2014. Its name derives from its recorded top speed of 218 miles per hour. The bike is powered by a liquid-cooled 150 kW electric motor producing 200 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. Later models feature extreme-fast-charge silicon-dominant lithium-ion cells, allowing a 20-80% charge in approximately 10 minutes .
Strike
In March 2019, Lightning announced the Strike, a more affordable electric sportbike designed to compete with mid-range gasoline bikes and other electric models like the Zero SR/F. The Strike was offered in three variants:
- Standard: 10 kWh battery, 160 km (100 mi) range, 90 hp.
- Mid: 15 kWh battery, 241 km (150 mi) range, 90 hp.
- Carbon Edition: 20 kWh battery, 321 km (200 mi) range, 120 hp .
All versions featured a massive 244 Nm (180 lb-ft) of torque and were available with optional DC fast charging .
Technology and EDGE Platform
Beyond manufacturing complete motorcycles, Lightning has pivoted toward becoming a technology developer and supplier.
EDGE 8-Cube Architecture
In February 2026, the company unveiled the EDGE platform, a software-defined, modular 800V electric vehicle architecture. Developed from the company’s racing programs, EDGE is designed to allow other manufacturers (in the motorcycle, marine, automotive, and aviation sectors) to bypass early-stage R&D. The system is structured around eight interoperable subsystems intended to reduce the cost and time required to develop new electric platforms .
Fast Charging and Design
The company has demonstrated a focus on rapid charging technology. Partnering with battery firm Enevate, Lightning claims its fast-charge system can add over 10 kWh of power in less than 6 minutes. The company also utilizes AI-driven generative design (in partnership with Autodesk) to produce lightweight components, such as a swingarm that is 20% lighter than conventional designs .
Business Model
Lightning operates a direct-to-consumer sales model and has utilized crowdfunding and angel investments to raise capital, reporting a total of approximately $2.47 million raised as of 2026 . The company’s stated mission is to build high-performance electric vehicles that offer superior efficiency and affordability to accelerate the global transition from gasoline-powered two-wheelers .