Source: Visordown

With petrol prices increasing globally, in Pakistan it has been reported that this has influenced riders there to switch to electric models, with electric motorcycles and mopeds now accounting for 10% of monthly sales. However this trend has not yet translated to other regions of the world.

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has made fuel prices more expensive all over the world. In the context of Pakistan, since tensions in the Middle East began, Reuter news agency has reported that an average household now spends over 30% of its income on a litre of petrol.

This has led the country to experience a boom in the sales of electric motorcycles and mopeds, with them now taking up 10% of monthly sales.

Reuters has reported that in March one electric motorcycle seller saw their sales increase by 70%, and another noted their biggest sales surge ever across seven e-motorcycle franchises.

Support for riders transitioning to electric motorcycles in Pakistan

Aside from rising petrol costs, there are also other factors supporting the transition, such as government incentives which include interest-free loans, and offers for up to one-fifth of the vehicle to be subsidised.

A comparison of rising petrol costs influencing UK motorcycle sales

In contrast to Pakistan, Visordown reports that although the UK is also experiencing a significant rise in petrol prices, its sales in March saw:

• Electric powered motorcycles decrease by 23.5% compared to the previous year
• Petrol-fuelled motorbikes increase by 16.1% compared to the previous year

From March sales, it is evident that consumers have not been influenced to switch to electric from concerns of rising fuel costs. Unlike Pakistan, the UK government is not currently running a subsidy scheme to financially assist riders in switching to electric motorcycles.