The Delhi government in India has drafted its EV Policy 2.0 to boost electric mobility adoption, to drastically reduce pollution in the region. Currently under consideration, the policy plans to ban new registrations of petrol, diesel and CNG-fueled two wheelers.
With two-wheelers accounting for almost two-thirds of total vehicles on Delhi’s roads, the government has stated that if it could focus on electrifying two-wheelers, then pollution rates would decrease significantly.
If approved, the ban of two-wheelers emitting emissions in Delhi will reportedly be actioned by August 15 2026. This move would mean that only new electric two-wheelers will be allowed to register in the region, which could prompt a significant boost of them on Delhi roads. With petrol-powered mopeds and motorcycles currently accounting for the majority of two-wheeler sales in Delhi, this would be a big transition for the two-wheeler sector.
Delhi’s proposed EV Policy 2.0 benefits for electric two-wheeler customers
The government’s proposed policy will also offer subsidies of up to 30,000 Indian rupees (€269) on electric two-wheeler purchases based on battery capacity, as well as road tax exemptions, registration fee waivers and incentives for scrapping non-electric two-wheelers.
“The Delhi EV policy draft also includes plans to develop charging infrastructure and battery recycling plants,” said officials.
Silence, a brand of LEVA-EU member Acciona, recently demonstrated its light electric vehicle solutions at the Madrid X Moto show, where it carried out over 60 test rides of its electric motorcycles and nanocar.
The Spanish brand was delighted with the high number of visitors at the Madrid X Moto 2026 show, which had over 18,000 attendees from April 10-12.
It welcomed many motorcycle enthusiasts to its booth to learn about its electric urban mobility offering, with 60 test drives being carried out on its e-motorcycles and the S04 electric nanocar, which attracted a lot of attention at the dedicated motorcycle event.
The UK’s plug-in motorcycle grant (PiMG), which has supported over 15,000 purchases in the region, recently expired on April 5. The UK’s Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is urging the government to reactivate and broaden it, after WPI Economics forecasted a £50 million loss to the market by 2030 without the grant.
The PiMG purchasing incentive was first launched in 2016, initially offering £1,500 (€1,721) on road-registered battery bikes or a 20% discount (whichever amount was smallest at the point of sale). Then the incentive value decreased to a 35% discount of a maximum value of £500 (€573) for electric motorcycles priced at £10,000 (€11,476) and below.
And more recently, since April 5 2026, there has been no financial incentive available, highlighting that mopeds and motorcycles are the only individual transport modes without zero-emission subsidies in the UK.
Having supported the purchases of over 15,000 electric motorcycles, the UK motorcycle industry is concerned that the end of the grant will negatively affect the amount of new e-motorcycle customers.
Effects of the PiMG grant on electric two-wheeler registrations
The MCIA’s CEO Tony Campbell has highlighted the link between previous changes to the PiMG policy and its impact on new electric two wheeler registrations.
After the grant amount was reduced in 2023, e-motorcycle registrations reduced by 38.6%. Then, when the grant excluded support for electric moped purchases, registrations decreased by another 39.2%.
For the first two months of 2026, the MICA revealed that just 250 electric motorcycles were registered in the UK, a decrease from 299 in 2025. With the absence of the subsidy, it looks likely that numbers will keep declining.
Campbell said the following about the correlation of the grant and electric motorcycle uptake.
“These numbers show the market responds immediately when support is withdrawn. Without action, we risk a sharp drop in uptake just as the transition to low- and zero-emission transport should be accelerating.”
Industry predictions if the grant is not extended
To anticipate a reality without the grant, the MCIA commissioned WPI Economics to forecast predictions about how much the adoption of zero-emission two-wheelers could slow down with the absence of the PiMG.
The WPI predicted that it could result in around 6,500 fewer e-motorcycles being sold by the end of the decade, which is the equivalent to the market losing 2 and a half years of current growth, eliminating as much as £50 million from the sector.
Campbell emphasises his concerns for the industry as he acknowledges the contrast in funding for e-motorcycles and the heavier electric car.
“The expiry of the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant represents a clear policy cliff edge. At a time when government is investing heavily in the transition to electric cars, it makes little sense for smaller, more energy-efficient vehicles to be left without any form of support.”
The lack of financial assistance for two-wheelers could drive more individuals and businesses to opt for larger combustion vehicles, increasing urban congestion and emissions. A possible consequence could also be road safety concerns from a potential rise in high-speed, illegally modified e-bikes.
Urging the government for assistance
The MCIA has led a coalition of manufacturers, dealers, logistics operators and road safety organisations to urge the government to avoid an “avoidable policy shock”. The coalition has written a letter to ministers at the HM Treasury, the Department for Transport, and the Department for Business and Trade.
The letter asks the UK government to:
Extend the PiMG for at least 12 months
Evaluate the £10,000 price cap to better reflect current market realities
Reintroduce mopeds and extend eligibility with the inclusion of L6 and L7 light electric vehicles
Industry stakeholders emphasise that even a short-term extension would help to stabilise the market as a longer-term policy framework is developed.
The Executive Director of the National Motorcyclists Council, Craig Carey-Clinch, states that with the current policy imbalance, there is a risk of undercutting the UK’s broader decarbonisation effort. “Consumers will need support whether they are in a car or on two wheels. The plug-in motorcycle grant remains one of the few meaningful incentives encouraging riders to switch to zero-emission vehicles.”
What’s next?
Tony Campbell had explained that in March, the MCIA had meetings with a sub-department of DfT, the OZEF (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles), and plans to put together a thorough 360 plan ahead of the Autumn budget to clarify how the electric motorcycle sector can be incentivised.
When recently asked by media outlet Motorcycle News about extending the grant, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) said the following: “This grant supported over 15,000 riders to switch to electric, but we need to focus funding on vehicles that have the highest impact to our environment.”
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.
LEVA-EU member Acciona’s e-motorcycle brand Silence has opened its first battery swapping stations in France, marking a major step in expanding its European e-mobility network. This coincides with the introduction of a new battery subscription and rental service, providing a wider range of convenient options for its customers.
Moto Magazine has stated that Silence has made a big impression in the urban two-wheeler market, with its Silence SO1 electric motorcycle model believed it be the “best-selling electric scooter in Europe, and one of the best selling models in its segment in France.”
New battery swapping stations in France
The latest instalment in France will build on its successful network of 160 stations in Spain. Silence’s French stations will be mostly located within Esso service stations, at some parking lots, and at dealerships.
The Spanish manufacturer is opening 14 battery swapping stations in the Paris metropolitan area, with the network expected to reach French Riviera locations such as Nice and Cannes by the end of 2025.
Image credit: Moto Magazine
Silence’s battery replacement method
The battery replacement method that’s already being used for electric mobility in Japan, Taiwan and China involves the swapping of a depleted battery for a fully charged replacement in under 30 seconds.
New monthly subscription and rental service
Coinciding with the launch of its new stations in France, Silence is now offering a battery subscription and rental service, giving users the option to buy a Silence e-motorcycle without a battery, receiving a 30% discount off the total price (from €3,995).
From this pricing option, users would subscribe to a monthly plan that consists of 12 battery exchange cycles, making electric motorcycle ownership more affordable and convenient by eliminating upfront battery costs and enabling quick swaps rather than charging.
A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that, for the period from January-August 2025, over 9,300 electric motorcycles were sold in the country, representing 9.6% of the total purchased, a substantial increase on the 7.1% recorded in the whole of 2024.
Motorcycle sales in Kenya are partly driven by the country’s motorcycle taxi industry, and the electric-powered portion of the market was a few years ago comprised of ICE conversions created in Nairobi’s industrial district.
The country’s motorcycle taxi operators and riders have begun to look more favourably on electric models, thanks to their lower total cost of ownership. This increasing popularity is also being boosted by electric motorcycle-friendly asset financing options; for instance, asset finance company Watu has published 2025 targets of financing 2,000 electric motorcycles in Kenya – a hefty 41% of its total target of 4,850 motorcycles financed.
Following a period of instability for Kenya’s motorcycle sector in the post-pandemic years, the industry is reported to be bouncing back, with electric motorcycle brands being a key part of this.
Electric motorcycle charging could also help to balance out some of Kenya’s key energy sector challenges. There has generally been low uptake of available geothermal capacity during overnight off-peak hours, leading to energy curtailment at geothermal plants. The overnight charging of electric motorcycles could present better utilisation of resources.
Pakistan has introduced incentives designed to boost electric motorcycle uptake among its citizens. The schemes aim to extend more affordable, eco-friendly transport to those most in need, including students, women and people with low income.
New national initiatives have been recently launched under the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) program, providing subsidies and interest-free instalment plans for the purchase of electric motorcycles to successful applicants. An additional scheme in the province of Punjab enables those who have purchased a new electric motorcycle after December 2024 to apply for subsidies.
The initiatives – which apply to both personal vehicles, and to rickshaws or loaders – are strongly focused on enabling access to cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternatives to petrol-powered motorcycles, and are part of the government’s aims to promote electric mobility while reducing dependence on conventional-fuel vehicles. The key aims are to:
Reduce the cost of transport for ordinary citizens
Promote eco-friendly travel
Support students, women, delivery riders, and workers
Encourage the shift toward green energy and electric vehicles
It is reported that, in the Punjab province, government officials have set a target that, by 2030, 30% of transport in the province should be electric. An expansion of the program’s budget was recently announced to allow more people to benefit, as part of this transformation plan.
A study by the Institute for Development Studies has found that 80% of the ride-hailing motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City could be switched to electric, with the right policies and infrastructure upgrades in place.
City authorities had outlined plans in May 2025 to convert 400,000 motorbikes used by ride-hailing service providers to electric by 2030; Le Thanh Hai, a director at the Institute for Development Studies, has advised this can be achieved with the right combination of financial support, the enhancement of charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, and exemptions from registration fees and VAT.
Lower operating costs
Hai said that riders of ride-hail motorbike companies Grab and Be are paying 70,000-100,000 Vietnamese Dong (€2.30-3.30) a day for fuel, according to 400 survey participants. In contrast, riders of Xanh SM electric motorcycles spend only 20,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately €0.67) per day on charging. It is estimated that, after battery deterioration, charging costs and waiting time are deducted, electric motorcycle ride-hail riders can earn the equivalent of €33.26 per month more than their ICE-riding counterparts. This would enable riders to repay vehicle loans within 2-2.5 years.
Infrastructure changes needed
The current charging infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City presents an obstacle. Most electric motorcycles available have charging times of 4-10 hours and ranges of 100-200 km, meaning drivers would typically need to charge at least once a day – and thus unable to earn income while doing so.
Nguyen Huu Phuoc Nguyen, founder and CEO of electric scooter startup Selex Motors, said, “Energy infrastructure will no longer be a barrier if charging electric vehicles can be as fast as refueling gasoline.” Selex has developed a two-minute battery swapping service to help address this issue, with batteries compatible with other brands. The current 50 stations in Ho Chi Minh City are due to expand to 200 in 2026.
Nguyen also highlighted a lack of standardized charging infrastructure, and urged city authorities to encourage businesses to expand shared charging and battery-swapping networks.
Financial support models
Hai’s research identified that financial barriers also have a part to play, as ride-hailing riders often have low and unstable incomes. The Institute for Development Studies has worked with banks on developing specific credit products and secured preferential commitments from companies in the electric motorcycle and distribution sector.
Ho Chi Minh City has also proposed that the central government waive registration fees and VAT for new electric vehicles and their drivers for the first two years.
Figures show that Vietnam’s transportation sector emits 32.9 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually, with Ho Chi Minh City contributing a substantial 13 million tons. The switch to electric ride-hailing motorcycles is part of the city’s green transportation plans.
Ireland’s government has announced a range of new initiatives designed to accelerate the switch to electric mobility, with grants for electric motorcycles a key part of the plans, alongside a pilot for shared home charging options.
The Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, announced grants for electric motorcycles, alongside other schemes. The L Category Grant Scheme is an initiative specifically offering financial support towards the purchase of new electric motorbikes. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and funded by the Department of Transport and Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), and offers grants of between €500 to €1,000 for a variety of electric vehicle categories.
O’Brien said, “These grants are another step towards creating a cleaner, more sustainable transport system in Ireland, and complement existing supports for electric cars, commercial vans and charging infrastructure. These initiatives reflect our Government’s commitment to a zero-emission future, providing individuals and businesses with the tools needed to help make the transition.”
In addition to the grants, a Shared Charging Pilot Scheme was also announced, aiming to address the challenge of access to home-charging facilities. The pilot programme, due to be rolled out in urban, suburban and rural areas, will enable homeowners to rent out their EV chargers through a booking platform, helping to bring cost-effective charging options to EV owners who don’t have private off-street parking facilities.
