Tag Archive: Electric Motorbike

  1. Africa’s transition to electric motorcycles

    Comments Off on Africa’s transition to electric motorcycles

    Source: The Pack Image credit: Ssenyondo Gabriel, Unsplash

    Motorcycles are considered a key pillar in the African urban mobility sector, with millions being used as taxi vehicles. In recent years, the market has become increasingly electrified, thanks to lower costs and several start-ups in the region offering convenient offerings for motorcycle taxi drivers.

    Many taxi drivers in the region have transitioned to using electric motorcycles due to them requiring less maintenance, lower operating costs (approximately 30–40% less), and playing a role in reducing urban pollution. Riders who have switched to electric versions have reportedly managed to increase their daily earnings, as they no longer have to spend a large amount of their income on petrol and repairs, as they had with their previous ICE models.

    African start-ups electrifying motorcycle taxis

    There has been an emergence of African start-ups aspiring to supply this market by innovating their own electric motorcycles, especially for taxi drivers and delivery fleets, with many integrating battery-swap infrastructure, direct fleet management and financing solutions into their vehicle offerings.

    E-motorcycle adoption by region

    Although e-motorcycle start-ups are emerging all over the continent, the epicentre of motorcycle electrification is East Africa, especially the countries of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, where there are millions of motorcycle taxis in daily operation. For example, in Kenya, e-motorcycles are experiencing rapid growth rates with a 15.3% market share recently reported, demonstrating how quickly the market is expanding.

    As motorcycle taxi riders travel large distances and depend on their bikes for income, they are very sensitive to fuel costs, which makes electric motorcycle adoption economically more attractive, as well as convenient with battery-swap networks and flexible financing models.

    It has been anticipated that although Africa’s electric motorcycle industry is still fairly new, its potential for growth is significant. As there are already millions of users and many e-motorbike start-ups all over the continent, increasing usage could reshape urban mobility and decrease fuel dependence in the region. Global manufacturers may also look to capitalise on supplying this promising market in the next decade.

  2. Electric motorcycles take 15.3% market share in Kenya in 2025

    Comments Off on Electric motorcycles take 15.3% market share in Kenya in 2025

    Source: Clean Technica Image credit: Clean Technica / Remeredzai

    Many countries in Africa have a strong motorcycle market, thanks to their widespread deployment as taxis. Although new registrations are mainly ICE models, the electric motorcycle is rapidly gaining ground, and recent figures show that their market share in Kenya leapt forward substantially in 2025.

    Following a breakthrough year in 2024, where the market share of electric motorcycles raced past the 5% tipping point to 7.1%, the rise has more than doubled to 15.3% in 2025, with 25,277 electric motorcycles registered in the country, out of a total market of 168,286. This is according to figures published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK).

    There has been a steady upward trend in the country for electric two-wheeler adoption. It’s reported that 8 years ago, only 44 electric motorcycles were registered in the country; in 2023 a total of 2,557 electric models were registered out of a total market of 70,691 motorcycles – a share of 3.6%.

    The electric two-wheeler taxis are becoming a familiar sight on Kenya’s city streets, with several operators fielding a range of models, as can be seen in this short video. Their popularity and swift adoption comes against a backdrop of a general drive to reduce emissions; 90% Kenya’s power generation comes from renewable sources. With the right purchasing incentives in place and support for companies and operators in the electric motorcycle sector, the potential is substantial.

  3. South Korea sets a target for 60% electric delivery motorbikes by 2035

    Comments Off on South Korea sets a target for 60% electric delivery motorbikes by 2035

    Source: Eco Business

    South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has announced plans to accelerate the replacement of ICE delivery motorcycles with electric variants, aiming for over 60% of newly introduced delivery two-wheelers to be electric by 2035.

    The plan is part of the country’s efforts to reduce both air and noise pollution in urban areas and to cut emissions.

    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the Ministry on 4 February with various delivery platforms, logistics and rental companies and e-motorcycle manufacturers, with the aim of creating a shift towards electric mobility in the delivery sector.

    Several factors are being addressed to overcome some of the barriers to electric adoption widely recognised by riders.

    • The government and industry partners will work to improve e-motorcycle improvement, and charging convenience.
    • Battery swapping station infrastructure will be expanded, allowing for quick changeover of depleted batteries.
    • The government will implement purchasing subsidies for electric two wheelers.
    • Administrative measures will be taken to prioritise the installation of charging facilities in both public spaces and at public institutions.
    • Delivery companies will promote the adoption of electric models to riders.
    • Manufacturers will focus on the development of higher-performance models which are tailored to the delivery sector.

    Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan said, “through this agreement, we will work with the delivery industry to expand electric two-wheelers, reduce emissions and create a quieter urban environment”, adding that the government will provide financial and administrative support to smooth the transition to a sustainable and effective electric motorcycle delivery industry.

  4. Electric motorcycles boost for Vietnam as green policies near implementation

    Comments Off on Electric motorcycles boost for Vietnam as green policies near implementation

    Source: Retail News Asia

    Strict environmental policies are seen as a significant factor in Vietnam’s adoption of electric-powered two-wheelers – with the country now placed as the third largest in the world for electric motorcycles.

    The overall motorcycle market in Vietnam in 2025 saw an expansion of 14.9%, with a substantial increase in electric variants being a key element in this trend. This can undoubtedly be partially attributed to the announcement by Hanoi authorities of a prohibition on internal combustion engine vehicles by July 2026.

    Vietnamese riders’ motorcycle brand choices have shifted in the move towards electric options. Brands traditionally in the leading spots, such as Honda and Yamaha, are beginning to be bypassed in favour of those more directly focused on electric models, including domestic electric mobility brand VinFast, which experienced a notable 532% growth. Other local manufacturers, Pega and Dibao, reported growth rates of 60% and 75% respectively, while Chinese brand Yadea has seen a 61.6% increase.

  5. DDG’s Intelectra e-cargo bike part of STIHL’s solutions for urban green care

    Comments Off on DDG’s Intelectra e-cargo bike part of STIHL’s solutions for urban green care

    Source: Top Agrar

    LEVA-EU member Dynamic Drives Giessen (DDG) sees their heavy-duty e-cargo bike, Intelectra, customised by gardening and agricultural tools specialist STIHL. The modular cargo bike provides a solid, capable mobility solution for garden landscapers and municipal teams working in urban environments.

    Part of the Mobile Green Care concept presented by STIHL Sweden, the vehicle enables urban garden professionals to move efficiently and sustainable through complex city environments.

    Advantages of e-cargo for urban micromobility

    • No driving licence required
    • Low running costs – no insurance, road tax, or MOT; minimal energy and maintenance costs
    • Zero emissions – reducing both exhaust and noise pollution
    • Direct site access – able to reach locations where larger vehicles cannot
    • Efficient range – ideal for short daily travel distances under 10 km
    • No entry permit needed – simplifying access to parks and restricted areas
    • Positive public perception – a cleaner, quieter, and more community-friendly way to work

    Specifics of the DDG Intelectra

    One highlight of the vehicle is its modular electric powertrain that requires less maintenance than traditional chain or gear systems.

    Key Intelectra specifications:

    • Payload: up to 400 kg
    • Dimensions (L/W/H): 313 / 98 / 106 cm (180 cm with body)
    • Range: approx. 100 km
    • Charging time: 1.5 hours
    • Top speed: 25 km/h
    • Climbing ability: up to 15% gradient, fully loaded
    • Reverse gear included for easier manoeuvring

    This flexible design integrates weather protection, modular storage systems, and adaptable attachments, making it suitable for a variety of urban maintenance and logistics tasks.

  6. Electric motorcycle usage increasing among public service fleets

    Comments Off on Electric motorcycle usage increasing among public service fleets

    Source: THE PACK

    In numerous countries, the police, military, roadside assistance and emergency services are increasingly using electric motorbikes, thanks to their advanced technologies, practical and environmental benefits.

    As many cities are increasingly pushing for sustainable transportation usage, and with battery technology becoming more advanced, it is expected that electric motorcycles will become a more regular part of public service fleets.

    Police

    In 2021, the Belgian municipality of Brussels-Hoofdstad-Elsene’s police received their first fleet of fully electric police mopeds, believed to be mostly for enabling its traffic police to achieve smooth and swift city travel for controlling crowds or closing streets.

    Over in Spain, The Mossos d’Esquadra, the regional police force of Catalonia, has had electric motorcycles deployed in Barcelona, Mataró and Tarragona. And in Italy, the Piacenza local police have also added two electric motorbikes to their fleet.

    Roadside assistance

    In crowded cities, electric motorcycles, as well as e-bikes, are being increasingly used for swift assistance in the Netherlands by the ANWB and similar services to quickly and sustainably reach vehicles to deliver prompt assistance.

    Emergency services

    In the UK, SERV Blood Bikes, a charitable organisation that provides an out-of-hours hospital courier service, acquired electric motorcycle models for their fleet to help their objective of reducing their carbon footprint while still speedily and efficiently making urgent deliveries to hospitals in Surrey and London.

    Military

    Advanced electric motorcycle models have also been used to boost military operational assistance, with models undergoing extensive testing for superior performance by NATO, the US Navy and the Belgian military.

    More examples of electric motorcycles optimising public service functions can be found on THE PACK’s website.

  7. UK’s electric motorcycle industry welcomes retention of £500 plug-in grant

    Comments Off on UK’s electric motorcycle industry welcomes retention of £500 plug-in grant

    Source: MCN

    On February 25, the UK government announced the roll-out of £120 million of additional funding to help speed up electric vehicle uptake, including the retention of a £500 grant against new electric motorcycles.

    The funding is part of a larger scheme to support the shift towards zero-emissions transport before the planned phase-out of internal combustion engine (ICE) car and van sales by 2030. However, many in the motorcycle industry are concerned about the lack of certainty around any planned phase-out for ICE two-wheelers.

    “It is really important that the inertia and uncertainty that’s regarding our role in transport across policy currently is ended,” said Neil Fletcher, Chair of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) during its annual Industry Conference in February.

    The MCIA’s figures show that registrations of electric motorbikes were down by 15.9% across February 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, with just 299 registered in the first two months of the year. This is despite a plug-in grant which means that battery-powered motorcycles priced up to £10,000 are eligible for 35% off, up to a maximum value of £500, and mopeds up to the value of £150.

    Co-founder of electric motorbike brand Maeving Motorcycles, Will Stirrup, spoke to MCN: “For me, really, the key thing is missed opportunity. Getting more people onto electric two wheelers in urban environments [would be] significantly more environmentally friendly from a carbon production perspective than an electric car – just because of the smaller batteries.”

    He continued, “More Government support would be really helpful in increasing uptake, but the products should speak for themselves. The attitude of most major motorcycle companies going ‘the technology is too far away’ well who’s going to change that? That needs to be you. We look at 2030 and absolutely plan on having a product that is equivalent or superior to an internal combustion engine, high-power bike, and we’re tiny.”

    Dale Robinson, the UK Country Manager of US electric motorbike brand Zero Motorcycles, urged for more commitment from the government, claiming a lack of fixed phase-out dates and a previous scaling back of subsidies has sent out the wrong message. “We can go back to December 2021 when the Government announced that the £1500 subsidy for premium electric motorcycles was about to disappear, and we can chart the slowdown of sales from that point. The reason for it isn’t just affordability, it was more to do with the message that it sent – as it contradicted the fact that electric was the future.” From his viewpoint as a representative of a more premium brand that would not be eligible for the plug-in grant, he added that he would like to see electric motorbikes more readily available on company salary sacrifice schemes.

    Increased charging costs of electric motorcycles were highlighted by Alec Sharp, Director of dealership English Electric Motor Co. “If they could charge up out and about at what they used to be able to – which was about a third of the cost – that would make a big difference for a lot of people.”