Electric cars have started to take the world by storm. Now, electric motorcycles are edging into the market as a powerful and eco-friendly alternative for riders.
However, despite their massive popularity elsewhere, electric motorcycles have yet to gain the traction of clean-energy cars in the United States.
Learn everything you need to know about electric motorcycles on this page, including their power, speed, and range. We explore the pros and cons when compared to traditional motorbikes, as well as projections for the future.
Electric Motorcycle Information and Resources
What is an Electric Motorcycle?
An electric motorcycle is a two-wheeled mode of transport similar to a regular gas-powered motorcycle. However, instead of running on a gas-powered engine, it uses an electric motor with a rechargeable battery.
Electric motorcycles are quickly becoming more common on roads across the U.S., though they are not yet as popular as e-bikes or electric cars.
However, plenty of manufacturers are working on electric motorcycles. These include specialist new-wave companies that focus specifically on rechargeable machines, as well as long-running manufacturers like Harley-Davidson and BMW that are dipping their toes into the electric pool.
Electric Motorcycles vs. E-Bikes
An e-bike has pedals and is a hybrid between a traditional pedal bicycle and a powered machine. It will run on pedal power, assisted by an electric motor. In most cases, the rider has to provide at least a little pedaling for the motor to kick in. There are also higher classifications of e-bikes that use a thumb throttle to power the bike without pedaling, where permitted by local laws.
E-bikes have a manufactured speed limit of 20-30 mph and a charge range of 20-40 miles. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes have no age restrictions, meaning they can be used by younger riders.
In contrast, an e-motorcycle has no pedals. It is purely powered by the battery and motor. It has a much higher top speed and ranges of up to 200 miles.
Types of Electric Motorbikes
Not all electric motorcycles are created equal. As with traditional motorcycles, they vary by size, power, comfort, purpose, and setup. Here are the most common types of electric motorcycles on sale in the U.S.
- Cruisers: A cruiser motorcycle usually has a low seat on a wide and heavy frame. It is designed for a comfortable ride over mid-range distances.
- Touring: A touring motorcycle is designed for long-distance travel. Electric tourers are becoming more common as the range and infrastructure improve for rechargeable bikes.
- Sportbikes: A sportbike is designed for peak performance. They have sleek, aerodynamic designs for maximum speed and precision.
- Dual-Sport: A dual-sport motorcycle is designed for use both on and off-road. It is comfortable and street legal, but it has some off-roading capabilities.
- Enduro: An Enduro motorcycle is essentially a hybrid of a dirt bike and a dual sport, built with a focus on off-road track and trail riding. These bikes have a longer reach and wheelbase to handle descents and may have the ability to shift gears as needed in all terrains.
- Naked: A naked motorcycle has a stripped-back design. It typically will not have any of the bulky bodywork extras like fairings, paneling, or a windscreen.
All of these motorcycle types exist in traditional gas-powered versions. But more and more options are being created with electric motors, giving plenty of choice to riders who want to explore their e-options.
Electric Motorcycles: The Statistics
For now, electric motorcycles make up a relatively small percentage of the bikes in the United States. Some other countries have already embraced them to a much greater degree. But attitudes are slowly shifting. As with cars, more people are looking to avoid shelling out on gas, opting for a more environmentally friendly vehicle.
Here are some of the key numbers for electric motorcycle performance. They offer an average across some of the top-rated electric motorcycles in 2024.
- Top Speed: 101.8 mph
- Range on a Single Full Charge: 135 miles of city driving
- Standard Charge Time: 4.9 hours
- Torque: 224.6 lb-ft
- Horsepower: 78.4 hp
This is an average across five very different kinds of electric motorcycles. They are the Zero SR/F (commuter bike), the Stark Varg (dirt bike), the Energica Experia (tourer), the LiveWire S2 Mulholland (performance cruiser), and the BMW CE 02 (electric scooter).
Because the bikes are very different, they have massively wide-ranging specs. For example, the Starg Varg dirt bike has extremely high torque compared to the others on the list.
Electric Motorbikes vs. Gas-Powered Motorcycles
As with all things, there are pros and cons when it comes to comparing traditional gas-powered motorcycles with the new electric-powered alternatives.
The following table shows some of the key differences between the two bike types. Because there is such a huge disparity between motorcycle types, we have used two machines from the same brand for this comparison. There are plenty of gas and electric alternatives out there with a wide range of specifications. This table simply provides a snapshot of specifications at a glance.
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| Power Type | ||
| Starting Price | ||
| 0-60 mph Speed | ||
| Top Speed | ||
| Horsepower | ||
| Range on a Single Charge/Tank |
Key Differences Between Gas and Electric Motorcycles
At this point, several important distinctions exist between gas and electric motorcycles. They range from purchasing power to the driving experience.
Price and Options
For starters, electric motorcycles carry a higher average price for similar specifications. This is because of the development and component costs of manufacturing the new battery technology.
Riders looking for gas-powered bikes also have many more options when shopping for a new motorcycle. There are hundreds of different models of traditional motorcycles on the market, compared to a relatively small pool of electric counterparts.
However, these factors are gradually leveling out. More electric motorcycle options are being released all the time, while many companies are also trying to release more affordable options. For example, the price of Harley-Davidson’s original electric release was close to $30,000. But the company has now released electric models priced under $16,000.
The Driving Experience
The difference between motorcycles with electric motors and gas engines is most pronounced when it comes to the ride. Traditional motorcycles with combustion engines are loud. They have a range of revs as they move up through the gears, and you can feel the distinctive rumble of the machine.
In contrast, electric motorcycles are very quiet, can deliver instant torque without gear shifting, and offer a smooth acceleration and ride.
Pros and Cons of Electric vs. Gas Motorcycles
There are pros and cons to electric motorcycles vs. gas power. Some points fall into distinct categories, while others—such as the feel and driving experience—might come down to personal preference.
Pros of Electric Motorcycles:
- They are more environmentally friendly, with no tailpipe emissions.
- Running costs are reduced. It costs less to charge a battery than to fill up a tank of gas.
- Electric motorcycles usually require less maintenance (reducing costs). Combustion engines have more moving parts, with more opportunities for things to go wrong, while electric setups have fewer mechanical issues.
- You can charge at home.
- The riding experience is smoother, which might be more enjoyable over long distances.
Cons of Electric Motorcycles:
- Gas-powered motorcycles have a huge advantage when it comes to range. Most can go significantly further on a single tank of gas and have better refueling infrastructure.
- Charging a battery takes much longer than filling up a gas tank.
- The charging infrastructure is not yet good enough. There are not enough charging stations, making long trips difficult.
- The price is higher for electric vehicles.
- Batteries can degrade over time and eventually need replacing. While electric motorcycle maintenance costs are lower, it is expensive when work is needed.
- The value of electric vehicles is believed to depreciate faster than gas-power.
Whether an electric vehicle is for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. But the technology is always advancing, so some issues will become less problematic over time.
Electric Motorcycle Charge Range
The biggest point of contention for many bikers who are considering switching to an electric motorcycle is the limited range on a battery charge.
While the advertised ranges are slowly increasing, some users dispute them. Some electric motorcycle manufacturers claim their bikes can now reach ranges of 250 miles. But critics claim that the ranges in the vehicle specifications can only be reached in absolute peak conditions, if at all, and the real numbers fall far short.
One thing is for sure. As with electric cars (and gas-powered vehicles, for that matter), the range is heavily dependent on how you are driving. Many critics have slammed electric car manufacturers like Tesla because their numbers plummet when you use air conditioning or GPS.
On an electric motorcycle, more speed, the use of optional extras, and unexpected conditions can quickly drain a battery. Many manufacturers even give multiple range numbers in their specifications for city driving, highway driving, or a combination, to keep expectations realistic.
For example, the Zero SR/F electric motorcycle advertises a city range of about 176 miles, compared to a highway range of about 100 miles on a single charge.
For many riders, the range on electric motorcycles is the main sticking point when it comes to making the switch. They like to cruise over long distances, and the bikes just are not up to that challenge yet. But the ranges are increasing. The Energica Experia has a claimed range of 261 city miles, and those ranges are expected to keep climbing as the technology evolves.
Charging an Electric Motorcycle
Electric motorcycles can use the same charging points as electric cars. The bikes have a socket that can be plugged into using a charging cord.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 192,000 charging ports were available to the public across the United States as of mid-2024. Another 1,000 public charging stations are being added per week.
That sounds like a lot, but the charging network needs to be much improved if electric vehicles—both cars and motorcycles—are to be more widely used. For context, there are about 197,000 gas stations across the U.S. However, each gas station has multiple pumps, allowing it to serve many more customers at once. It is also much quicker to put gas in a vehicle than to charge a battery.
The Electric Motorcycle Charging Process
When you look at e-motorcycle charging specifications, you will probably see a few different times. That is because different charging methods will give varying results.
All bikes are slightly different, but electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero provides a rundown of the different charging options and how they impact average charge times below.
- Level 1: A level one charger provides a slow charge. This is best suited for charging a vehicle overnight. On average, it might take about 5 hours to reach a 95% charge and up to eight hours to reach 100%.
- Level 2: Using a J1772 plug, this is the most common form of charging connection, used in up to 90% of charging stations across the United States. It can charge a Zero bike to 95% in about an hour, with four hours required for a full charge.
Some manufacturers also sell rapid charging cables. They can cost several thousand dollars, but provide the fastest possible charging option. These chargers are present in about 10% of charging stations but should become more common, in line with electric vehicles.
How Many People are Using Electric Motorcycles?
The number of people using electric motorcycles is rising all the time, as seen through the sales and registration figures for electric vehicles.
The statistics show steady growth since the global electric two-wheeler market started to gain traction. It hit a high point in 2021, with more than 10 million worldwide sales, before dropping off slightly.
However, it should be noted that the American market still has a long way to go. The dominant force in the electric two-wheel market is China, which accounts for a huge percentage of the overall sales. India and Vietnam are starting to see significant growth.
In contrast, only about 37,000 electric motorcycles (plus about 20,000 electric scooters) are sold in the United States annually at the moment. Sales stats from LiveWire show that the company sold only 275 electric motorbikes in the first half of 2024.
As of 2024, sales of electric bicycles are far exceeding those of motorbikes in North America. E-bike usage is fast rising, with about 280,000 sold per year.
Why are U.S. Electric Motorcycle Sales Slow?
The slow sales in the United States have caused some of the early innovators creating electric motorcycles to die out. Some of the bigger names in electric two-wheelers to declare bankruptcy in recent times include:
- Fuell: Bankruptcy (2024)
- Energica: Shut down operations (2024)
- Sondors: Entered receivership (2023)
- Cake: Bankruptcy (2024)
- Mission Motorcycles: Bankruptcy (2015)
- Brammo: Bankruptcy (2014), acquired in 2017
- Alta: Suspended operations (2018)
These were all big names in the e-motorcycle world. But none could survive in the current marketplace. So, why is the market struggling so much when electric bicycles and cars are gaining traction?
At the moment, range is the biggest factor. Most electric motorcycles do not have a big enough mileage range to work for many bikers as a primary vehicle. With the current technology, the only way to increase the range is to install bigger batteries. But batteries are heavy, and oversized batteries can make motorcycles unrideable.
With this limitation, electric motorcycles come into their own as city commuter vehicles. However, many commuters are choosing e-bicycles if they need a second commuter vehicle, because they are cheaper and don’t require a separate license.
The Future of Electric Motorcycles
It may sound a bit doom-and-gloom on the outlook of electric motorcycles. But projections still show that this is an emerging technology with a lot of growth potential.
Innovators are always looking for technological advancements. For example, one project at MIT is building a hydrogen-powered motorcycle prototype to explore the limits of alternative power sources.
For many riders, the technology is not yet close to the performance they require. But a huge amount of money is being poured into the development of electric motorcycles worldwide. Their popularity in global markets shows that there can be a place for clean-energy bikes, and they could yet become a vehicle of the near future as technology advances.
California’s Zero-Emission Target
In California, regulators have set a target that all new cars and trucks sold across the state will be zero-emission by 2035.
It remains to be seen whether that target is met. But as these dates approach, the demand for quality electric vehicles will likely increase.
Laws for Electric Motorcycles
The laws for electric motorcycle riders in California and across the rest of the U.S. are much the same as those for traditional gas-powered bikes.
Electric motorcycles are referred to as zero-emission vehicles. That tag comes with certain regulations and incentives for manufacturers. However, the difference for owners and riders is minimal.
To ride an e-motorcycle, you will still need an M1 driving license. The M1 license allows you to operate any two-wheeled motorcycle falling under M1 or M2 remits. The age limit and test requirements also remain the same, while all of the same rules of the road apply.
E-bike vs. Electric Motorcycle Laws
Many people are confused about the distinctions between e-bicycles and electric motorbikes. With a huge number of children now riding e-bikes unsupervised, warnings have been issued for parents and riders to ensure everyone has the appropriate vehicle and follows the law.
When a bike has no pedals and a motor of at least 750 watts, it is considered an electric motorcycle. That means that riders must:
- Wear a DOT-certified helmet.
- Register their vehicle.
- Hold an M1 motorcycle license.
- Carry motorcycle liability insurance.
Accidents involving Electric Motorcycles
It is difficult to know exactly how many accidents involve electric motorcycles because those statistics are combined with all other motorcycle crashes.
- There are more than 100,000 accidents involving motorcycles every year across the U.S.
- According to the National Safety Council, about 5,000 people die annually in motorcycle crashes. Many more (an average of about 85,000) suffer injuries.
- 41% of fatalities occur because the rider is not wearing a helmet.
- Of those total crashes, 36% of motorcycle fatalities involve a rider who is operating a motorcycle without the proper license.
The number of electric motorcycle accidents in the U.S. is relatively low because the number of electric motorbikes on the roads is currently low. But these machines can be just as dangerous as traditional motorcycles.
- All motorcycles can accelerate quickly and hit high speeds.
- They are small and less easy to spot than cars or trucks, making them vulnerable to blind spot collisions.
- Some bikers ride the line between lanes, especially as they are steering through traffic. Lane splitting is legal in most areas but can be dangerous if the rider or other drivers do not take care.
- Riders are vulnerable. Even if they are wearing full protective gear, they do not have the bulk of a car to protect them. One collision can be devastating.
Electric motorcycles have an added potential danger. Many drivers of cars and trucks are alerted to the presence of a motorcycle by the noise of the engine. But electric machines can be very quiet. This means that a driver of another vehicle who is not paying attention might be less likely to see the rider, and more likely to hit them.
Examples of Electric Motorcycle Accidents in California
There have been plenty of examples of electric motorcycle accidents in recent years.
- On December 30, 2024, four juveniles riding on two electric motorcycles crashed into a sedan near La Serena Way and Camino Corto in Temecula, California. Three of the riders were taken to hospital.
- In August 2024, an electric motorcycle rider sustained serious injuries after a crash in Carlsbad, California. The bike collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Batiquitos Drive and Daisy Avenue.
- David Valdez, 45, suffered fatal injuries and died after an electric motorcycle crash. Mr. Valdez was riding the motorcycle in Yucca Valley, a town in San Bernardino County, California, when he collided with a truck at an intersection. The fatal crash happened in November 2024.
This is just a small number of accidents, all taking place in Southern California over the space of a few months.
If You are Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
While global use of electric motorcycles is spiking, the reaction in the United States has been mixed. Bikes are improving, and some of their specs are impressive. But the lack of range is still problematic, and sales have been slow.
Still, it is expected that electric motorcycles will eventually gain a stronger foothold as the technology and infrastructure improves, and the world moves toward greener energy.
We can eventually expect to see more electric bikes on our roads. But as we have seen, the same dangers exist with electric motorcycles as with traditional gas-powered bikes.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident of any kind, contact us at Bisnar Chase for a free consultation and superior representation.
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm based in Southern California. Our firm has offices throughout the state and has built a national reputation as a trusted legal ally, putting our clients first at all times.
We have handled countless motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits and can help you maximize the value of your case. Our award-winning team has a 99% success rate, with nearly $1 billion won for our clients.
