Electric motorcycles and scooters are now a common sight in town. Quiet, vibration-free, with no gears to worry about and simple to maintain, these vehicles are ideal for some users and a disappointment for others. What makes the difference is correctly predicting in advance how you will use it.
1. Who does an electric make sense for?
Suitable
- Riders with a fixed daily route, commuting in the city
- Those with regular charging at home, in a car park or at work
- Short-distance courier and delivery jobs (depending on the vehicle and battery capacity)
- New riders who do not want to deal with gears and a clutch
Not suitable (for now)
- Those who often make long-distance and intercity journeys
- Those who live in a block of flats and cannot reach a socket to charge the vehicle
- Those who ride on the motorway at high speed for long periods
- Those who regard engine sound and the mechanical feel as part of the enjoyment of riding
2. Range: catalogue figure versus real figure
The range given by the manufacturer is usually measured in ideal conditions at low, steady speed. In real life, range can drop substantially depending on:
- Speed: Air resistance rises rapidly with speed. At motorway speed the range falls far below the city range.
- Cold weather: Lithium batteries deliver less energy in the cold; in winter the range shortens noticeably.
- Weight: A passenger and load reduce range.
- Hills and riding style: Hard acceleration and steep hills use up energy quickly.
- Riding mode: Eco modes extend range, sport modes shorten it.
Rule of thumb: Your daily round trip should stay comfortably below the vehicle's realistic range. To allow for winter and battery ageing, don't rely on the catalogue range and pick a model that is borderline.
3. Charging
- Household socket: Most electric scooters and light motorcycles charge from a normal socket. Time varies from a few hours to overnight depending on battery capacity and charger power.
- Removable battery: On some models the battery can be taken out and carried home or to the office. A big advantage for people who live in flats, but batteries can be heavy.
- Fast charging: Some large electric motorcycles support fast-charging stations; many small models do not. Check before you buy.
- Battery swap stations: Some brands have their own swap networks; check whether they are widespread in your area.
Charging safety
- Use only the charger approved by the vehicle or the manufacturer.
- Don't use old, heating or damaged extension cables; long high-current charging strains cables and sockets.
- Don't charge the battery in escape routes such as a bedroom, in front of an exit door or in a stairwell.
- Don't use a battery that has been dropped, has taken an impact, is swollen, smells or is overheating; show it to the authorised service centre.
4. Battery life
The battery is the most expensive part of an electric vehicle. Its capacity decreases over time and the range shortens. To extend its life:
- Don't fully discharge the battery all the time; don't leave it at a very low charge for long.
- In daily use, not keeping it at 100% all the time unless necessary is good for its life. Many manufacturers recommend a mid-level charge range for daily use; see your own vehicle's manual.
- Protect it from extreme heat and extreme cold. Don't charge it in the sun in summer or in freezing cold in winter.
- If you won't use it for a long time, leave the battery at a mid-level charge and check it from time to time.
- When buying, ask about the length and scope of the battery warranty (whether there is a capacity-loss guarantee).
5. Cost comparison
| Item | Electric | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Generally higher than a petrol model of similar performance | Lower, plenty of choice |
| Energy | Cost per kilometre with household electricity is generally low | Depends on the fuel price |
| Maintenance | No oil, filter, spark plug or clutch; there are tyres and brakes | Regular oil and periodic service |
| Major risk | Battery replacement can be expensive | Engine and gearbox faults |
| Second-hand | Uncertainty about battery health affects the value | The market is more established |
To work it out for your own use, you can use the cost calculator.
6. Differences when riding
- Instant torque: An electric motor gives all its torque immediately on pulling away. Open the throttle gently on wet roads.
- Silence: Pedestrians and other drivers can't hear you. Take extra care at junctions and in pedestrian areas.
- Regenerative braking: When you close the throttle, the vehicle slows by recovering energy. Until you get used to it there may be a feeling of stronger slowing than expected. Regeneration may not light the brake light on every model.
- Weight: The battery is heavy; it can be heavier than a petrol model of similar size.
7. Licence and legal position
Electric vehicles are also subject to licence and registration rules according to power and speed classes. To find out which licence is needed for which vehicle, see the rules page. Don't confuse an electric scooter (stand-up) with a seated electric motorcycle.
Questions before buying
- Is my daily distance comfortably below the vehicle's realistic winter range?
- Do I have a safe socket where I can charge regularly?
- Is the battery removable, and how long is its warranty?
- Are there authorised service and spare parts in my area?
- If I am buying second-hand, can the battery health be measured?
To see electric and petrol models side by side, look at the motorcycles list and the comparison tool.