Electric motorbikes, or e-motorcycles, have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the late 19th century.
The first patent for an electric bicycle, filed in 1895 by Ogden Bolton Jr., marked the starting point. Yet the rise of gasoline-powered motorbikes overshadowed early innovations.
Fast-forward to the 1970s, the oil crisis and environmental concerns sparked renewed interest. Companies like Corbin-Gentry in the US and Peugeot in France began exploring electric alternatives, but early battery technology proved a significant roadblock.
Everything changed in the 21st century. Breakthroughs in lithium-ion batteries and heightened awareness of climate change fuelled a new era of electric motorbike development. Vectrix's launch of a high-performance electric scooter in 2006 marked a pivotal moment.
Today, major brands like Harley-Davidson, BMW and Kawasaki are joining the electric revolution alongside newcomers like Zero Motorcycles and Energica. The global market is booming, driven by government incentives and demand for sustainable transportation.
Here, EV Magazine takes a look at the top 10 electric motorbikes, including their specifications:
10 | Arc Motorcycles
Arc Motorcycles is a British electric motorbike manufacturer founded by Mark Truman in 2018.
The company's flagship model is the Arc Vector, unveiled at EICMA in 2018.
Key features of the Vector include:
- Hub-centre steering with a steep 20-degree head angle
- Unique chassis design that integrates the battery and motor housing
- Claimed 271-mile range and 40-minute recharge time
- 117 hp electric motor producing 173 Nm of torque
- Custom Öhlins suspension
- Carbon fibre body panels
- Projected US$120,000 + price tag
Despite facing financial challenges in 2019, Arc rebounded and began delivering the first production Vectors to customers in 2023. The company aims to produce a limited run of these high-end, technologically-advanced electric motorbikes.
9 | Verge
Verge Motorcycles is a Finnish electric motorbike manufacturer founded in 2018.
Key features of its bikes include:
- Innovative hubless rear wheel design that integrates the electric motor
- Claimed 186-mile range and fast-charging capabilities
- High-performance specs with up to 1,000 Nm of torque
- Futuristic styling with a distinctive rear wheel without spokes
- Advanced technology, including multiple cameras and radar for safety
- Vertically integrated production, designing and manufacturing most components in-house
Verge has attracted investment and support from Finnish racing drivers Mika Häkkinen and Valtteri Bottas. The company is expanding globally, recently opening showrooms in Monaco, London and California, and aims to disrupt the motorbike industry with high-tech, all-electric designs focused on performance and safety.
Verge sees itself as the "Apple of motorbikes" in terms of innovation and vertical integration.
8 | Damon
Damon Motorcycles is a Canadian electric motorbike company founded in 2017 by Jay Giraud and Dominique Kwong.
Key features of Damon's flagship HyperSport model include:
- Advanced safety systems with 360-degree awareness using cameras, radar and AI
- Shift technology allows riders to adjust ergonomics on the fly
- Claimed 200+ mile range and 200 mph top speed
- 200 hp electric motor producing 200 Nm of torque
- CoPilot system with predictive alerts for potential hazards
- Innovative monocoque-style chassis integrating the battery pack
Damon aims to transform motorbike safety and performance. Despite facing production delays, the firm has attracted significant investment and pre-orders.
It recently announced plans to go public through a reverse merger and is partnering with manufacturers to bring its innovative designs to production.
7 | Energica Motor Company
Energica Motor Company is an Italian electric motorbike manufacturer founded in 2014, emerging from the CRP Group's racing experience.
Key features include:
- First Italian manufacturer of high-performance electric motorbikes
- Developed from racing technology used in TTXGP competitions
- Selected as sole supplier for MotoE World Cup from 2019-2022
- Flagship Ego model capable of 150 mph top speed and 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds
- Innovative features like regenerative braking and fast charging
- Use of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques from parent CRP Group
- Offers multiple models including sport, naked and adventure bikes
- Focuses on high-end, premium electric motorbikes
- Emphasises Italian design and engineering
- Recently acquired by Ideanomics to accelerate growth and innovation
Energica aims to lead the electric motorbike revolution with cutting-edge technology and performance.
6 | Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles is an American electric motorbike manufacturer founded in 2006 by former NASA engineer, Neal Saiki.
Key features include:
- Pioneered high-performance electric motorbikes
- Developed proprietary Z-Force powertrain technology
- Offers multiple models across sport, naked, dual-sport and adventure categories
- Advanced features like regenerative braking and smartphone connectivity
- Industry-leading range of up to 223 miles in city riding
- Fast-charging capabilities
- Customisable power modes and throttle response
- Lightweight designs using aircraft-grade aluminium frames
- Continuous innovation, with regular updates to motor and battery technology
- Strong focus on performance, with some models producing over 140 ft-lbs of torque
Zero has become one of the leading electric motorbike brands globally, with a presence in more than 30 countries.
To date, it has raised more than US$450m in funding to support its growth and innovation.
5 | BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad's electric motorbike journey began with the C Evolution scooter in 2014.
The first fully-electric model was the C Evolution maxi-scooter, before the CE 04 electric scooter was introduced in 2021.
Key features of its electric motorbikes include:
- Unique futuristic design with a flat battery pack on the floor
- Liquid-cooled electric motor derived from BMW's electric cars
- Up to 80 miles of range and fast charging capabilities
- Advanced connectivity and a large 10.25-inch TFT display
- Regenerative braking and multiple riding modes
- Features like ABS and traction control, continuing BMW's tradition of innovation
BMW aims to expand its electric motorbike line-up, focusing on urban mobility and performance while maintaining its quality and technology leadership reputation.
4 | Kawasaki
Kawasaki entered the electric motorbike market relatively recently, unveiling its first electric models in 2023.
It has introduced two models: the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1, designed as 125cc equivalents.
Key features include:
- Air-cooled motor with chain final drive
- "E-boost" button for temporary power increase to 12 bhp for 15 seconds
- Top speed of 55mph, increasing to 60 mph with e-boost
- Two removable 1.5kWh batteries, each weighing 11.5kg
- Claimed 3.7-hour charging time per battery from a household socket
- Advertised 45-mile range, though real-world estimates are closer to 30 miles
- Utilisation of Kawasaki's established Ninja and Z styling
As a major Japanese manufacturer entering the electric motorbike market, Kawasaki's move signals the growing mainstream acceptance of electric two-wheelers. Its focus on A1-licence-compatible models targets new riders and urban commuters.
3 | Triumph
Triumph entered the electric motorbike market relatively recently.
Key developments include:
- Project TE-1, a collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd and WMG at the University of Warwick
- A focus on developing specialist electric motorbike technology and integrated solutions
- Revealed battery and powertrain prototype in 2021, with performance exceeding industry benchmarks
- All-new vehicle control software and prototype chassis
- Riding experience that is exciting yet familiar to Triumph riders
- Acquired OSET Bikes, a leader in children's electric off-road motorbikes, in 2022
Triumph's approach emphasises battery and powertrain design innovation while maintaining the brand's character and performance standards. The company is leveraging partnerships to accelerate its electric motorbike development and expand its presence in the off-road segment.
2 | Harley-Davidson (LiveWire)
Harley-Davidson entered the electric motorbike market with the LiveWire, first unveiled as a prototype in 2014 and released as a production model in 2019.
Key features include:
- Permanent-magnet electric motor producing 105 hp and 86 lb-ft of torque
- 0-60 mph acceleration in 3 seconds
- 146-mile city range, 95-mile combined range
- Level 3 DC fast charging capability (0-80% in 40 minutes)
- Advanced rider aids, including cornering ABS and traction control
- Four pre-programmed riding modes plus custom options
- Unique "heartbeat" pulsing sensation when idle
- Keyless operation and auto-cancelling turn signals
- Premium Showa suspension and Brembo brakes
The LiveWire represents Harley-Davidson's shift towards electric mobility while maintaining brand identity through performance and design.
In 2021, LiveWire became its sub-brand, expanding Harley's electric motorbike offerings.
1 | Ducati
Ducati's foray into electric motorbikes may have come relatively recently, but it's already making waves.
In 2021, the Italian brand unveiled its first electric prototype, the V21L, showcasing its ambition to lead in high performance. Ducati quickly cemented its position by becoming the exclusive FIM Enel MotoE World Cup supplier starting in 2023.
Tested at the Misano World Circuit by veteran rider Michele Pirro, the V21L is more than just a prototype—it's a statement of intent.
While Ducati faces challenges with battery size, weight and range, the company is determined to overcome these hurdles by leveraging its racing expertise. With plans to transfer this cutting-edge technology from the track to future consumer models, Ducati's electric motorbikes promise to deliver the same performance and innovation that have defined the brand for decades.
Unique features of Ducati's electric motorbike development include:
- Racing expertise from MotoGP
- Emphasis on performance and lightweight design
- In-house development by Ducati Corse and R&D teams
- Aims for consistent power delivery during races through advanced cooling systems
- Plans to make electric motorbikes available to all MotoE participants
Ducati sees this as the beginning of an essential new chapter in its history, focusing on high-performance electric motorbikes while maintaining brand identity.
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