As we move to a new era of electric, the UK Government has planned to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel two and three-wheelers by . The global shift towards protecting the planet and reducing emissions means that electric motorcycles and mopeds are set to be the bike of the future.
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So, what does the bike of the future actually look like? Futuristic concepts usually included outlandish concepts and eccentric designs, but in reality, the bike of the future looks the same as our fuel-filled past, with electric motorbikes sharing the same design principles as their petrol-powered siblings.
In this blog, we are going to be exploring the advantages and disadvantages of electric motorcycles - so without further ado, let’s get into it, shall we?
As electric motorbikes are starting to make vast improvements and technological advances, now more than ever there are benefits to purchasing an electric motorcycle, such as:
When it comes to fuel I think it goes without saying that electric counterparts are by far more environmentally friendly especially when charged up on electricity generated from renewable sources.
Standard petrol-fuelled motorbikes require far more moving parts to get them going in comparison to electric bikes. Electric motorcycles do not have oil, spark plugs, air filters, or timing belts and many won’t have a gearbox or clutch either - your biggest maintenance costs will be your tyres and brakes.
Admittedly the initial cost of an electric motorbike is higher than a petrol-fuelled bike however in the long run, your electric bike might actually save you a bit of money. You will not only save money with cheaper refuelling but also potentially with lower maintenance costs.
For those who don’t mind not having a loud roaring engine, then switching to electric might be the choice for you. There are many electric motorbikes that are practically silent on the roads, however, on the rarer side at the moment you can pick up some which omit a noise to help other road users know of your presence.
As we mentioned previously, electric motorcycles do not have gearboxes meaning there will be no need for you to change gears.
If you’re used to shifting gear and riding, then it might take you a little while to get used to the ride, however, if you're a beginner, this might be one of the easiest ways to learn how to ride!
If you’re an occasional rider, then you’ll understand the pain of settling your bike in for the winter and ensuring your bike is ready to ride when the weather improves. With an electric bike you won’t have to worry about these things - just make sure to charge your battery and keep the bike in a secure, dry place, and you’re good to go when summer rolls around.
If you choose to switch to the electric side you’ll be pleased to know you can have a little bit of help from government grants. Plug-in grant funds up to a maximum of £150 towards mopeds and £500 towards buying an electric motorcycle providing they cost £10,000 or less.
*It is worth noting that the plug-in grant is due to end in , so before purchasing an electric bike or scoot, it is worth checking if the grant is still available.
Depending on where you ride air pollution charges are on the cards for a number of cities, and London has led the way with its Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). Petrol or diesel motorbikes driving through the ULEZ zones that do not meet the Euro 3 standards or are produced before July . Whereas an electric motorcycle, with zero emissions, won’t pay a penny.
While most electric motorbikes won’t go over 90mph, they come packed with silly amounts of torque and pretty impressive acceleration.
By no means is range perfect on electric motorcycles thus far, however it is steadily improving. Some manufacturers such as Maeving and Super Soco have created motorbikes with dual batteries that can not only increase the range but (depending on your strategy) means you can switch the batteries when the other has run flat if you prefer, a method adopted by some delivery riders for instance.
Over the past few months, another thing that has been affected by inflation was the cost of fuel. At the time of writing in the UK, charging an electric motorbike or scooter currently costs 3p per mile (based upon 5.4kWh battery capacity charging at UK average 34p per kWh charging at home), in comparison to the 6p (based upon 110mpg, at £1.49 per litre / £6.76 a gallon) it costs to fill up a petrol fuelled motorbike.
So yes, whilst the upfront cost of an electric motorcycle is likely more expensive, charging and running costs on a day to day tend to be far cheaper!
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in electric charging points in the UK. At the end of June , there were a total number of 44,408 electric vehicle charging points across the UK - a 36% increase in the total number of charging devices since June .
As we mentioned previously, electric motorcycles are by no means at their peak just yet and have still got a long way to come before more people are convinced to jump on the electric bandwagon:
Fully charging your electric motorbike or scooter can take anywhere between half an hour or a few hours, spending on which model and charger you have - removing the opportunities for a spontaneous ride if you’ve got a flat battery. This is also a slight inconvenience on the road as you may be waiting at the service station for a fairly long while as your bike charges up.
Electric motorcycles initially cost more than their petrol-fuelled counterparts - even with the help of a government grant. This can be quite intimidating for quite a lot of people, however, it is worth noting that as more electric models are becoming available, slowly but surely there will be a bike out there for everyone and their budgets.
One of the disadvantages of electric motorbikes that are leaving people hesitant to make the switch is the ever-rising electricity costs in the UK - statistics show that since the start of , gas and electricity prices have risen 36.2% and 17.3%.
Maintenance-free electric motorcycle batteries unfortunately do not last very long at all with an average lifespan of between 3-8 years. Obviously, the more you ride your motorbike the more times you will need to charge it and then replace it, you also have to be extremely careful not to overcharge the battery in fear of permanently damaging the battery - which is slightly inconvenient for those who opt to charge their battery overnight to fit their busy schedules.
On average a motorcycle battery replacement can cost anything between £600-£ but this really does vary greatly between models, and bearing in mind as of currently you will need to replace the battery every few years, the costs can really start to add up.
Due to their reduced ranges, if you’re planning to go on a long-distance journey you will need to plan ahead and check where the electric charging points are located. The last thing you want when you’re out enjoying the road is worrying about where the next charging point is and if you’ll make it.
Even though ranges on electric motorcycles are improving, they still are not yet up to the standard of petrol-fuelled motorcycles just yet. Electric motorcycles and mopeds typically come with a range of anything between 20-100 miles so whilst they may be okay for your typical short commute, if you are thinking of travelling longer distances then I don’t think an electric motorcycle may be for you.
As temperatures begin to drop further and for longer with each winter, cold temperatures can affect your electric motorbikes battery capacity, so while the range is shorter in comparison to petrol-fuelled motorcycles, in winter this gets far worse.
The increase in electric motorcycles has given rise to an increase in smart tech for your ride. From switching up the ride of your bike to tracking your journey, bike rides have never been so technical... until now:
Whilst there is already a great range of apps for motorcyclists already on the market, electric motorbikes have given us the capability to work on a whole new range of technology to offer further insight into how you ride.
The Zero app, for example, allows you to customise your motorcycle's performance using your mobile device. From this app, you are able to set your top speed, maximum torque, and deceleration and braking regenerative levels.
Not only are you able to set up your ride, but you can also see statistics about your ride, including real-time estimates for recharge times of your battery as well as view battery voltage and total kilowatt-hours used. This is also translated into your trip statistics, including average watt-hours per mile, cost per mile, money saved vs. gasoline, and CO2 reduced vs petrol.
While many petrol-powered models offer a range of ride modes, such as off-road and rain modes, some electric vehicles allow for much more control. Whether it’s within the bikes app or configurable on the vehicle itself you can have much more control over the power, torque, max speed, and brake regeneration, so you can create the perfect ride tailored to your specific needs.
A few motorcycle manufacturers now such as Zero, Maeving, Yamaha, and Supersoco have incorporated ‘hot-swappable’ modules into their electric bikes. This system allows the bikes to be ridden using one or two power modules that can be added or removed in less than a minute - this is a handy extra that allows you to travel long distances without the need to charge your battery.
With new technology comes constant software updates. Thankfully, technology has moved on from the days of switching on your laptop to an hour of updates before you can start using it, and the same can be said for electric bike updates.
Over-the-air updates are becoming more and more popular, and with electric bikes, this means your software will be able to auto-update without the need to plug it in or wait for hours before you can ride.
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If you’re thinking about switching to electric, you’ll be pleased to know we have written a few handy guides about upgrading to an electric motorcycle and the things you need to own to have an electric motorcycle.
The range of electric motorcycles and scooters is evolving every day, and each bike is as unique as we are.
If you need a hand with deciding which electric bike or moped is best for you, check out our top 10s below:
So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed our run down on just some of the pros and cons to purchasing an electric motorcycle.
Are you in the market for a moped, scooter, or electric bike (e-bike) but not sure which route to go? With all the options to choose from, it’s important to take the time to find which bike is the right ride for you. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help you get everything you need to know about mopeds, scooters, and e-bikes to make a smart choice.
Whether you’re looking to breeze around campus, or zip from A to B on two wheels, take a close look at this primer to get in the know on the wide array of e-bike, scooter, and moped facts.
A moped is a bicycle-type vehicle with pedals and an engine that's less than two horsepower. Mopeds, or motor pedals, get their name from the bicycle pedals the rider uses to start the motor. Moped engine sizes are measured by cubic centimeters (cc) and are designed to help riders with pedaling and to supply some power. Even though most mopeds come with an electric system, some still use pedals.
Mopeds with gas engines, or internal combustion engines, make pedaling easier for the rider. There are some mopeds with electric engines, but most are gas-powered.
The average moped has an engine under 50cc and can reach top speeds of 28 miles per hour (mph). A moped’s top speed is far slower than a motorcycle’s, which makes them best suited for city streets.
Power and size are two important factors that distinguish mopeds from motorcycles. Motorbikes with engines smaller than 50cc are considered mopeds and a motorcycle is anything with an engine over 250cc.
Mopeds are ideal for short trips at low speeds. It’s a step above a bicycle speed-wise and is far less expensive than a motorcycle. Here are some more key benefits of a moped.
Gaining fame in the early ’s, mopeds offered a reliable means of travel for people with limited budgets. And they still fill that niche today.
Today’s models are much safer and more fuel-efficient than earlier models. Because they’ve got time on their side, they’ve gained from a long history of design upgrades.
Mopeds are considered to be motor vehicles in many areas. Some states require riders to have an operator’s license, tags and moped insurance. Check with your local DMV and learn about your state’s moped laws.
Typically costing more up-front, a new moped can get pricey when compared to an E-bike. Costly items like shock absorbers and automatic braking systems can add a level of safety.
Because they are considered a motorized vehicle, registration, driving school and gas costs all factor into a higher yearly expense when compared to an electric bike.
If your moped is over 50cc, the bike will be deemed a motorcycle in many states. If it is, don’t forget to review our options for motorcycle coverage.
While people are still buying mopeds, many new arrivals in the e-bike market are getting noticed. Mopeds are the tried-and-true option for getting around town, but they can limit your ability to see the sites in ways that only an e-bike can offer.
E-bikes are bikes with motors that help you pedal, so riding is easier. Motors on bikes are powered by rechargeable batteries. There are bike models that need your help pedaling while others move forward by themselves with a motor. A variety of modes can be used to balance pedal power with range and battery life on electric bikes.
Fast, energy efficient and taking the market by storm, electric bikes are here to stay. Well-built apps get you key details on your bike. Better still, you can ride off-road legally with them, too. In the early ’s, electric bikes started to gain momentum, and since then, they’ve only grown in popularity.
Here are some other important details to keep in mind when considering an E-bike.
This simple feature has made them even more popular. If you want the chance to exercise while zipping around town, e-bikes are the way to go.
E-bikes don’t require gas to get around as mopeds require. This makes them a good choice of transportation for those who want to decrease their carbon footprint.
New high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries are increasing both bike speed and ride time. As money for research and development continues to be poured into renewables, electric bike batteries are improving.
With speeds topping out around 22 mph, that may not be fast enough if you’ve got a long commute. Some high-end e-bikes do get up into the 30-mph range, but most don’t.
State licensing and tag processing fees are not usually related to the purchase of an e-bike, making them attractive to people with limited budgets.
Because most states consider e-bikes a bicycle, you’ll be able to legally ride them on the street and trails. This includes paved bike trails that are off-limits to mopeds. E-mountain bikes are also available if your commute includes forest trails or dirt roads.
From great apps that help you navigate, to geo-location info, e-bikes are tech-loaded. Some e-bikes also convert braking and pedaling energy back to the battery. I bet your old bicycle can’t do that!
It’s as simple as finding a bike rack and locking it up. Many e-bikes come with portable battery units that easily detach so you can lock up outside and charge inside.
Like mopeds, scooters have step-through frames, but the biggest difference between them is the size of their engines. The engine size of scooters is not set, which means you can get a scooter that can have a high or a low powertrain that ranges from 50cc to 750cc in size. It’s important to note that the rules for scooters mirror motorcycles when it comes to road safety.
Here are some key things to consider before purchasing that scooter you’ve had your eyes on.
Small, powerful engines and lightweight frames make scooters a great choice for daily commutes and better gas mileage. A scooter with a 150cc powertrain can reach a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour and get up to 70 miles per gallon.
Scooters don’t have limitations on engine size. There are no set engine sizes for scooters, so you can get one with a 50cc to 750cc engine. There are a wide range of scooters out there with engines that are large enough to handle daily commutes.
The wheels of scooters are usually smaller than those on mopeds, and they feature either automatic or manual transmissions. The small engines make them both lightweight and easy to maneuver.
A scooter is usually more expensive than a moped because of the increased power and engine size, engine sophistication, acceleration, and top speed. Scooters feature more power than a moped, but far less than motorcycle.
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