Boston, May 28, 2026 – 21.5% of shareholders at Harley-Davidson’s annual general meeting voted last Thursday in favor of a Green Century Capital Management (Green Century) proposal calling for better climate action. The proposal asked the top-selling U.S. motorcycle company to publish a roadmap showing how it will achieve its target of net zero emissions. The proposal focused on how the iconic American brand will slash the majority of emissions from manufacturing and selling its motorcycles, particularly by expanding vehicle electrification.
“Harley’s hogs can either fuel its drive toward a cleaner, healthier future or leave them stalled out,” said Leslie Samuelrich, president of Green Century. “The company needs a clear plan to cut climate risk while continuing to deliver the motorcycling experience its customers love.”
Green Century filed its proposal in response to Harley scaling back its annual sustainability reporting. In Harley’s inaugural 2008 responsibility report, the company detailed its goal to ensure long-term business success by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. In the years that followed, Harley shared steps it was taking to decrease emissions and address other environmental risks to its business. However, in 2024, unexpectedly, the company replaced its previous annual reporting with a pared down ESG data appendix. Then, in 2025, it did not release any new information on its sustainability strategy or progress.
Driving up emissions
Motorcycles may be among the smallest vehicles on the road, but their climate impact is mighty. Emissions from motorcycles rose at the fastest rate of all on-road vehicles in the United States between 1990 and 2022. In 2024, the United Nations Environmental Programme predicted the number of these gas guzzlers would increase by 50% by 2050 globally.
While two-wheelers are powerful polluters, the development of electric motorcycles provides a promising environmental opportunity. Shifting 90% of global motorcycle sales to electric by 2030 could prevent up to 11 billion tons of carbon emissions between now and 2050. The market for electric motorcycles is revving up as rebates, cost savings, and stricter emissions standards across the globe drive adoption. A 2025 BloombergNEF report predicted that 87% of total two-wheeler sales will be electric by 2040 due to falling battery prices.
Entering the race for reductions
Many of Harley’s peers, including Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki, have published climate transition plans. These blueprints show how investing in electrification can help these companies achieve their climate commitments while building their businesses. Yamaha describes conducting field tests and research for expanding electric vehicle sales. Kawasaki outlines initiatives to provide carbon-free products and concrete goals to expand electric vehicle offerings.
In 2021, Harley established its electric motorcycle brand, LiveWire, as a part of its goal to lead the electric motorcycle industry and reach net-zero carbon emissions. Yet, in 2022, the company announced the spin-off of LiveWire as a separate, publicly traded company. This announcement came with Harley acknowledging that the decision may damage its efforts to develop electric vehicles under its own business.
“While LiveWire is accelerating into the future, Harley’s broader business is still running on an outdated emissions strategy,” said Green Century shareholder advocate Giovanna Eichner. “Harley should offer a more transparent and thorough climate transition plan to give investors confidence that it can reduce emissions, hit its goals, and compete in the transition to a low-carbon economy.”
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