Electric Street Motorcycles
Electric motorcycles bring zero-emission technology to two-wheeled, street-legal transport. Unlike scooters or off-road bikes, this category focuses on motorcycles designed for highway use, daily commuting, and recreational riding. They appeal to riders seeking a balance of performance, efficiency, and lower operating costs compared to internal combustion models.
Best-selling consumer bike: Energica
Best-selling municipal bike: Zero (police departments)
| Brand | Model | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Arc | Vector | UK |
| Arcimoto | FUV | MUV | USA |
| BMW | CE 04 | Germany |
| Brutus | V2 Rocket | V9 | 2 | USA |
| Can-Am | Pulse | Origin | Canada |
| CSC | RX1E | USA |
| Curtiss | Bespoke | Purist | USA |
| Ducati | V21L | Italy |
| Emflux Motors | One | India |
| Energica | Experia | Ego | Eva | Esse | USA |
| Evoke | Urban | 6061-GT | USA |
| Fly E-Bike | FLY | RZ | Z6 | USA |
| Johammer | J1 | Austria |
| Lightning | LS-218 | USA |
| LiveWire | S2 Del Mar | USA |
| NIU | RGi-GT | China |
| Peraves | Monoracer | Czech Replublic |
| Sarolea | MANX7 | Belgium |
| Super SOCO | TC Max | China |
| Tacita | T-Cruise Urban | Italy |
| Tarform | Luna Scrambler, Racer | USA |
| Volta | BCN | URBAN | Spain |
| Zero | SR/S | USA |
Terminology & Definitions
| Category | Definition | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Motorcycle (General) | Two-wheeled, highway-capable EVs designed for street use, usually requiring a motorcycle license. Typically exceed 50 mph top speed. | Umbrella term for all street-legal electric motorcycles. |
| Naked / Standard | Versatile all-purpose motorcycles with upright seating, often used for commuting and city riding. | Most common entry point for electric motorcycle brands (e.g., Zero S, Sondors Metacycle). |
| Sport / Performance | Aerodynamic motorcycles designed for speed and handling, comparable to ICE sportbikes. | Brands like Energica and Lightning Motorcycles compete in this segment. |
| Cruiser | Low-slung designs prioritizing comfort and long-range cruising, similar to Harley-Davidson styling. | LiveWire One (spun off from Harley-Davidson) is the flagship example. |
| Touring / Adventure | Larger bikes designed for distance riding, often with luggage capacity and upright ergonomics. | Still niche in electric form due to range limitations, but expanding with improved batteries. |
Electrification of motorcycles is advancing quickly, particularly in urban commuter and performance segments. Range and charging remain constraints compared to ICE models, but instant torque, low maintenance, and quiet operation are strong draws for riders. Europe and Asia lead in adoption, with North America following through both established brands and startups. As charging infrastructure grows and battery densities improve, electric motorcycles are expected to capture an increasing share of the street-legal two-wheeler market.
