Interested in joining the electric vehicle revolution on two wheels? E-motorcycles promise eco-friendly transportation paired with exhilarating acceleration and riding experiences rivaling traditional motorcycles. As battery capacities and power improve steadily, so does driving range and affordability. This comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to understand today‘s rapidly advancing electric motorcycle marketplace.
Overview of the Guide
This electric motorcycle guide covers key questions like:
- How did electric motorcycles evolve over time?
- What are the main types of e-motorcycles available today and who are top manufacturers?
- How do electric motorcycles compare to gas-powered in terms of pricing, range, charging needs and performance (speed, acceleration)?
- What factors should you consider when selecting an electric motorcycle to meet your needs and budget?
- What does the future hold for electric motorcycles?
Let’s explore those questions in more depth, starting with a brief history…
A Brief History of Electric Motorcycles
Electric two-wheelers actually pre-date gas-powered motorcycles. Experimentation to electrify bicycles using bulky lead-acid batteries began in the late 1890s. However, Range was extremely limited. When gas motorcycles arrived in 1885, market interest quickly shifted focus.
Electric models saw renewed attention during 1970s oil shortages. Key milestones in the advancement of electric motorcycles include:
1897 – Ogontz affliliates with Boston Motor Company to produce electric 2-wheelers
1974 – Quick Silver electric motorcycle sets land speed record of over 165 mph
2011 – Chip Yates reaches 196.912 mph on electric superbike, a new land speed record
2016 – Victory Motorcycles unveils Empulse TT electric street bike
2019 – Lightning Motors’ LS-218 sets electric motorcycle record topping 215 mph
Recent investments and concept vehicles from established motorcycle manufacturers like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and more underscore the market’s increasingly electric future. As technology improves, a new era of exciting and innovative electric models lies ahead.
Now, let’s explore today‘s electric motorcycle landscape, starting with off-road and dirt bike options…
Off-Road Electric Dirt Bikes
Silent, eco-friendly electric dirt bikes allow enthusiasts to enjoy hours of backcountry and trail riding without disruptive engine noise or emissions. Prices span entry-level to premium.
| Model | Price | Top Speed | Range per charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sur Ron Light Bee X | $4,200 | 50 mph | 50+ miles |
| KTM Freeride E-XC | $11,000 | 50 mph* | varies based on conditions |
| Stark Varg | $15,000 | 58 mph | up to 93 miles |
| Cake Kalk& | $13,000 | 50 mph* | Varies based on conditions |
| Volcon Grunt | $7,995 | 60 mph | 100+ miles |
*Speed capped for off-road usage
As the chart above shows, today’s electric dirt bikes range from around $4,000 to $15,000 based on features like battery capacity, power and top speeds. Many enthusiasts opt for the Sur Ron Light Bee X as an extremely affordable way to try electric dirt biking. High-end models like Stark Varg offer incredible range rivaling gas-powered bikes thanks to robust, swappable battery systems.
Moving from the trail to the street, your electric motorcycle options grow exponentially in variety and capabilities…
Low-End Street Legal Electric Motorcycles Under $10K
For tight budgets, several manufacturers offer street-legal electric starter bikes priced competitively with some used gas motorcycles. While range and horsepower is limited compared to pricier counterparts, these electric models deliver exciting riding experiences.
|| Model | Price | Top Speed | Range | Charge Time |
|-|——-|——–|——-|—|————–|
|Vmoto Super Soco TC Max | $5,250| 60 mph | 78 miles | 6 hours |
| Daymak Beast | $3,500 | 60 mph | 50 miles | 8 hours |
|Sondors Metacycle | $5,000 | 80 mph | 80 miles | 4 hours |
As the chart shows, sub-$10k electric motorcycles aimed at city/suburban commuting and riding tend to share similarities like 60+ mph top speeds and 50-80 mile range per charge. Recharge times average 4-8 hours from 0 to 100%.
While range pales compared to 300-400 mile gas tanks, the low operating costs, no emissions and inexpensive home recharging keeps total ownership costs low. These affordable electric starters balance lower power against approachable pricing. Now let‘s look at what stepping up in budget can buy…
High-End Electric Motorcycles Over $10K
Money to splurge? The premium end of the electric motorcycle market offers irresistible blends of innovation, performance and luxury. Leading manufacturers include Zero Motorcycles, Energica, Harley-Davidson, and more. Prices for high-end electric motorcycles easily span into six figures.
|| Model | Price | Top Speed | Range | Charge Time |
|-|——-|——–|——-|—|————–|
Harley-Davidson LiveWire| $29,799 | 95 mph | 146 miles city/70 hwy | 60 min (DC fast)
Energica Ego+ |$26,000|150 mph|261 miles| 3 hours
Zero SR/F |$19,995|124 mph|161 miles city/82 hwy|2 hours (6kW)
Arc Vector | $118,000 | 150 mph | 362 miles | ~120 min (proprietary charger)
Performance metrics like 150+ mph top speeds demonstrate these premium electric motorcycles outpace most gas-powered production bikes. Many boast acceleration that leaves sportscars in the dust, with 0-60 mph in around 3 seconds. The high-capacity batteries deliver ample range for most riders‘ needs while fast charging networks provide added coverage for longer trips.
As batteries continue improving, experts predict electric motorcycles will surpass gas models in range and performance by 2025-2030. Falling battery production costs will also make this exciting e-motorcycle technology more affordable.
Key Electric Motorcycle Performance Metrics to Consider
Range, acceleration, top speed and charging rates make up the core performance attributes to evaluate your electric motorcycle options against your needs:
- Range: How far can you ride between charges? Range varies from 30 miles for basic electric mopeds to 300+ miles for premium long-range models. Consider your average trip distances.
- Top Speed: Entry level electric motorcycles often reach 50-60 mph tops, while high-end electric sportbikes exceed 150 mph. Street legal models must reach 28+ mph minimum speeds.
- Acceleration: Measured by 0-60 mph time, electric motorcycles deliver blistering acceleration with advanced torque control. Sub-4 second 0-60 times rival gas liter superbikes.
- Charging rate: Faster charge rates reduce downtime between rides. Level 1 charges add ~40 miles over 8 hours. DC Fast charging can deliver 50-80% battery in around 30-45 minutes.
Carefully weigh factors like performance, maximum range needed, charging options and price when choosing your electric motorcycle. Test rides can clarify which model best fits your ride style too.
Electric Motorcycle Ownership Costs and Considerations
Since electric powertrains require far less routine maintenance than gas motorcycles, owning an electric can save you hundreds per year in avoided service costs. No oil changes, air filters, spark plug replacements or tune-ups to worry about.
However electric rates in your area impact operating costs, as recharging batteries costs notably more than gassing up. Level 1 home charges add about ~40 miles of range per hour of charging. DC Fast charging offers 50-80% capacity in around 30-45 minutes. Public charging network access can offset range anxiety concerns during ownership transition.
While electric motorcycle range and performance continues rapidly advancing, gas models still lead on overall range and access to rapid refueling. Carefully weigh your anticipated usage needs. For urban transportation and short-range recreation, economical electric motorcycles minimize operating costs. High-performance electric models allow environmentally friendly weekend joyrides up to 250+ miles.
What Does the Future Hold for Electric Motorcycles?
Industry investments, racing innovations, battery tech improvements and more point to an electrified two-wheeled future.
As lithium battery costs keep falling, purchase prices of electric motorcycles should continue becoming more competitive with gas models, following electric car price parity trends. Charging infrastructure buildouts also make electric motorcycle ownership more practical.
Leading motorcycle brands like Honda, Kawasaki Yamaha all show significant interest in electric models. Several have exciting electric concept vehicles underway. Continued racing advancements will further drive battery and performance breakthroughs.
Electric engine simplicity also promotes modular design innovations – swappable batteries, upgradeable components, customizability. Tapping smart technology and the IoT for features like self-diagnostics and automatic emergency assistance provides additional appeal and safety.
While the emotional appeal of loud rumbling gas engines persists for some riders, cleaner, smarter electric motorcycles full of torquey acceleration promise a sustainable and thrilling riding future sure to convert many enthusiasts.
As you explore your prospective electric motorcycle options, comparing prices, performance specifications and ownership considerations will determine which eco-friendly model best fits your needs and budget. We hope this guide gave you a helpful overview. Stay tuned for more electric motorcycle news and insights ahead!
