An ambitious plan to import Alta electric bikes to the UK is on the rocks as American firm Alta is to stop production of its bikes due to financial pressures, despite booming bike sales.

MotoHead was involved with a hush-hush plan to work with the potential new UK Alta importers to launch the brand with a UK Arenacross race team, a nationwide demonstrator fleet and a permanent test track that has already been purchased.

Alta hit troubles this year after potential investors Harley-Davidson decided not to spent the money, focusing on setting up an in-house electric motorcycle development team.

An alternative investor was found and was poised to sink around £20 million into Alta to take over its technology and workforce, but that deal also went sour in the last few weeks.

In recent months Alta has cut the price of its bikes and ha failed to deliver ordered bikes. One of its racers, Darryn Durham, is set to contest the weekend’s Red Bull Straight Rhythm on an Alta.