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Electric Motorcycles: Bikers Avoid Electric Models - Despite Great Potential for Traffic Transition

(dpa) Electric and emission-free: E-motorcycles are an environmentally friendly alternative to combustion models. However, the E-version has a tough time among traditional bikers. Regulatory incentives like those for E-cars are missing. BMW is focusing on urban e-scooters, while Harley's Livewire One is struggling.

Agile, nimble, quiet - and cool: The electric Harley Livewire One, shown here driving over a company premises, provides tons of driving fun - but still doesn't really catch on. | Photo: dpa/Boris Roessler
Agile, nimble, quiet - and cool: The electric Harley Livewire One, shown here driving over a company premises, provides tons of driving fun - but still doesn't really catch on. | Photo: dpa/Boris Roessler
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Johannes Reichel

At first glance, the Harley-Davidson "Livewire One" looks like an ordinary motorcycle. It is only at the traffic light that one can hear the difference from the usual noise backdrop. With its electric drive, it not only operates quietly but is also environmentally friendly: since the two-wheeled electric vehicle emits no exhaust, it reduces local pollution from fine particulate matter and harmful substances.

In Germany, electromobility plays an important role in the automotive industry to achieve climate goals. But while electric cars are slowly establishing themselves, battery-powered motorcycles still have a long way to go. "Most bikers need the feeling of freedom on the machine. They want to ride their routes without having to think about the next outlet," says Dirk, who wishes to remain anonymous, to the German Press Agency. For the passionate motorcyclist, buying an E-model is out of the question: "A biker recognizes a machine by its sound - this is also lost with electric motorcycles."

Low Demand - Manageable Supply

According to the Motorcycle Industry Association of Germany (IVM), interest in motorized two-wheelers with electric drive has significantly increased since 2020, but this mainly applies to the smaller vehicle segments. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), there were 222,046 new registrations for motorcycles in 2023 - only 16,945 of them (7.6 percent) were electric. The previous year, there were 33,687 out of 223,889 newly registered motorcycles.

BMW Postponed Launch of E-Motorcycle to 2026

The range of electric motorcycles is also manageable. BMW postponed the introduction of its first E-motorcycle to 2026 at the earliest - the model was originally announced for 2025. "There is no really relevant customer demand for electric motorcycles anywhere in the world," says BMW spokesman, Tim Diehl-Thiele. As long as the demand is lacking, it makes no sense to bring a fully electric motorcycle to the market.

Limited Range and Long Charging Times

The most common purchase obstacles are the limited range and the charging time of E-motorcycles, explains Matthias Meier, Managing Director of the Harley-Davidson Factory in Frankfurt. According to the ADAC, most models only achieve a range of 100 to 200 kilometers, with only a few achieving more. However, motorcyclists often use their motorcycles for significantly longer distances, says Meier. "When the typical motorcyclist wants to go on a trip with their buddies, they won't get far with the E-version." To overcome the barriers for motorcyclists, a test ride is worthwhile, says Meier.

"Electric motorcycles polarize at first contact." The handling and playful lightness would impress almost every rider. "You don't even need to clutch. You only need the brake when you need to brake sharply. And in the height of summer, you don't have to protect yourself from engine heat," he says about the "E-Harley." And yet: in the case of heavy motorcycles, the E-version is significantly less popular. "96-97 percent of motorcycles have a combustion engine," says Meier. "In this segment, the electric sector plays a relatively small role."

E-models popular in urban areas

The smaller E-models are significantly more successful. Especially in urban areas, one benefits from shorter congestion times, easier parking, and manageable vehicle costs, according to the IVM. According to the association, electric vehicles in the smallest class, which corresponds to mopeds with up to 50 cubic centimeters of displacement, make up almost 30 percent. A similar situation applies to class A1 with a displacement of up to 125 cubic centimeters, where more than 10 percent of newly registered two-wheelers had an electric drive last year. 

E-scooters from China take over the market

Many manufacturers are therefore focusing on electric drive, especially in urban areas. Numerous electric scooters from China are being offered. According to BMW, they are also focusing exclusively on electrically driven vehicles for new models in urban spaces and manageable distances. After all, the Bavarians became the market leader immediately with their first large electric scooter C Evolution in 2013 and significantly boosted the market, emphasizes Diehl-Thiele.

Getting Motorcyclists to Develop a Taste for E-Motors

According to Meier, for more motorcyclists to develop a taste for emissions-free riding in the future, the infrastructure of charging stations needs to improve. "You need more charging options for the E-models both within and outside the city," he emphasizes. BMW spokesperson Diehl-Thiele also criticizes "the still far from sufficient density of charging stations" for motorcycles that are mostly used for leisure. In addition, technical challenges on the product side would make it difficult to switch motorcycles to E-motors, he explains.

"Just an example: the battery weight is a much more complicated issue in motorcycles than in cars."

There are also no regulatory guidelines for manufacturers, such as fleet requirements, the BMW representative explains. Financial incentives were set by the federal government for the purchase of electric cars. Until mid-December 2023, the federal government subsidized the purchase of an electric vehicle with up to 4500 euros. There was no environmental premium for an E-motorcycle.

"If there were a government subsidy for E-motorcycles, you might convince one or two people," says Meier. "But that's slipped through the cracks with the government."

According to the IVM, the share of electric vehicles in motorized two-wheelers is expected to continue to rise, especially in the area of smaller vehicles as a mobility alternative. The same applies to the motorcycle segment, where hybrid drives could also play a role.

Translated automatically from German.
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