Electric motorbikes have been around almost as long as electric cars - but just like them, they are only now starting to hit the mainstream, and there's as many new brands developing bikes in the hope of forcing their way into the market as there established heavy-hitters.
What's clear is that there's something for everyone on the market or coming to it, with prices of the bikes we've highlighted ranging from £3499 to £28,995, power from 5bhp to 200bhp, and range from 50 to 300 miles. If you're minded to buy one, there's an electric bike out there to suit every taste
Below, we round up six of the best motorbike EVs that you can buy today, as well as listing four of the most exciting that are set to hit the showrooms in the not-too-distant future.
SIX OF THE BEST MOTORBIKE EVs YOU CAN BUY NOW
1. Harley Davidson Livewire
Price: £28,995
Power: 78kw/105bhp
City riding range: 100 miles
DCFC Recharge time: 100% - one hour
A groundbreaking step from a regular (petrol powered) motorcycle manufacturer, Harley Davidson hit this one out of the park. The Livewire isn’t just a quality electric motorbike but is just a quality bike in general. Brembo brakes and Showa suspension help hide the 251kg weight and the Livewire feels like the most dynamic Harley Davidson ever made, regardless of what’s powering it.
We love the haptic pulse, a synthetic replica of the feeling a petrol V-twin gives when stationary, which makes the bike rock slightly between your legs. We also like the mid range punch at A road overtaking speeds. You might think the top speed of 115mph isn’t enough, but one ride is all it’ll take to convince you otherwise. The Harley Davidson Livewire is genuinely great fun to ride.
If you’re in the market for one, it might be worth hanging on until 2022 though. The original purchase price of £28,995 has just been slashed in the USA to around £15k in a bid to get them moving off the showroom floor. It’s likely that the UK will adopt this new price next year, at which time we expect to see plenty more of these on the roads.
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Fortnine on Youtube does a good video on why electric motorbike haven't worked.
The principle issue is that motorcycles are relatively draggy compared to their weight which means that they don't have the space or mass to hide a battery large enough to go a long way.
This means that they end up being heavy and also to get good performance that battery ends up needing to discharge at a very fast rate which harms its energy density. Hence you end up with something that has a short range and works best in the city.
Fortnine did a very good profile of what the customer for an electric motorbike bike is:
They are young yet can afford a £25k toy, they are eco consious and yet have always harboured a desire do competitive power sports. They live in a city and yet also have an off road parking space with access to electricity. They also own a unicorn.
The most common electric vehicle in the world is an e-bike/scooter, short ranged, slow and cheap. They can dismount the battery or be lifted into a flat.
Car are electrified from the top of the market down, bikes from the bottom up.
Motorbike EV's will take time to spread in numbers in the UK because EV progression is taking it's time.