The Age of the Electric Bike: Are We There Yet?

It’s 2021, and electric motorcycles have come a long way. From weird and wonderful contraptions of the nineties, electric motorcycles have evolved into powerful and elegant machines capable of over 280-kilometer range. Slowly but surely, electric motorcycles are branching out into every niche and sub-niche: electric dirt bikes, e-powered motocross and cross-country racing machines, urban electric bikes, and even electric adventure motorcycles are now on the menu. There’s Cake, a Swedish electric motorcycle company producing edgy, minimalist-style dirt bikes capable of ripping up the trails in perfect silence; on the other end of the spectrum, there’s the Harley-Davidson Livewire, a weapon of choice in the famous Long Way Up Series by adventurers Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor. Then there’s Zero, probably one of the strongest players in the market offering urban and street bikes, Volcon, a rugged, no-nonsense dirt bike, and the futuristic Arc Vector at the other end of the spectrum aiming at sportbike lovers.

But are we there yet?

Ask any rider whether they’d consider swapping the braap for the woosh, and the standard retort is the question of range. Most electric motorcycles still haven’t crossed a three-hundred-kilometer range threshold, a serious obstacle for riders covering bigger miles or simply wanting a reliable allrounder for commuting, weekend rides, and off-road adventures. Then, there’s the question of weight: Cake may make exceptionally lightweight dirt bikes, and KTM Freeride is as light as it gets, but the Zero and Livewire models are still too chunky for the output of power they offer. Finally, it’s the charging time, the availability of charging stations, and the question of ethics when it comes to mining lithium, the key element in electric bike batteries. And let’s not forget the electric motorcycle prices – for the average rider, the costs of a $15,000 electric dirt bike or a $25,000 street motorcycle are prohibitive (Volcon starts at lower prices, but their bikes are purely made for off-road purposes).

Despite these issues, electric motorcycle manufacturers and designers are forging ahead.

According to Bloomberg, “After almost two decades of electric cars, there’s a boom in electric motorcycles of all shapes and sizes. In 2019, the global market for electric motorcycles and scooters reached $30 billion, according to the research firm Global Market Insights. It is projected to grow by 4% annually for the foreseeable future and will hit $40 billion by 2026, GMI reports”.

With emissions plans and a general attitude of going green for the sake of the environment, the future indeed may be electric.

What’s your take? Are you ready to ditch petrol and go electric? Share your views in the comments below!

Images: Volcon, Cake

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