With technological advancements and growing environmental problems, the UK Government has planned to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel 2 & 3 wheelers by 2035. Nowadays, people are more concerned about the protection of planet Earth, and for this purpose, it is crucial to reduce the overall carbon emissions. That is why people are shifting to electric vehicles more rapidly than ever.
With this guide, you can explore all the pros and cons of electric motorcycles before deciding whether you should adopt this technological advancement.
Advantages of Electric Motorcycles
There have been several technological improvements made in electric motorcycles since their invention, and they offer the following advantages to the users:
Charging Facilities
A significantly increasing number of electric charging points have been installed in the UK in the past few years, offering fast charging options. The purpose of doing so is to facilitate people who drive electric motorcycles and to encourage others to switch towards this option.
However, most light weight motorcycles can be charged using a household 3 pin plug, many also offer an adaptor for faster charging.
Cost Efficiency
Electric motorcycles have low maintenance requirements and do not involve the issue of refuelling. That’s why, these are a cost-efficient option and save you money in the long run.
Diverse Features
Manufacturers are producing electric motorcycles in different models, with each subsequent model having unique and updated features, such as dual batteries and enhanced range coverage. In this way, modern models allow you to switch the batteries if one has run flat and make it highly adaptable.
Easy Drive
An electric motorcycle does not have a gearbox, so there is no need to shift between the gears while driving. Therefore, it is a convenient option for beginner drivers as they do not have to spend much time to learn how to drive a bike. They can quickly get on the road by understanding the basics of motorcycle driving and traffic rules.
Environmentally-Friendly
Electric motorcycles do not rely on fuel consumption and operate by getting charged up from electricity sources, making them an eco-friendly alternative. In addition, they can be made cleaner and greener choices for the users if they are charged with electricity generated from renewable sources.
Government Grants
The UK government has incentivised the purchase of electric motorcycles by providing different grants to people, such as plug-in grants. Under this grant, you can get up to £150 and £500 for purchasing a moped and electric motorcycle, respectively, if their price is £10,000 or less.
Low Maintenance
Electric Motorcycles require less maintenance compared to regular petrol motorcycles.
The simpler drivetrain and fewer moving parts result in decreased wear and tear. There is no need to worry about exhaust systems, catalytic converters, or emissions control systems, spark plugs, timing belts etc. that require regular maintenance in conventional bikes. Therefore, requirements for these are only limited to brakes, bearings, chain, forks, chassis, and tyres.
Mobile Applications
You can use smart applications to set up the high speed, maximum torque, deceleration, and brake regenerative levels for your electric motorcycle. Moreover, you can also visualise the statistical values associated with your ride and get information about battery recharge times, voltage, and kilowatt hours used. At the end of your journey, you can have all the information concluded in the form of average watt-hours and cost per mile, money saved vs. gasoline, and CO2 reduced vs. petrol.
Noiseless
These bikes operate silently and run swiftly on the roads, eliminating the loud roaring engines which produce great noise. In this way, electric motorcycles also contribute to preventing noise pollution and creating a positive impact on human health by avoiding the issue of hearing loss.
No Air Pollution Charges
There are different ULEZs (Ultra Low Emission Zones) in various cities of the UK and London where petrol or diesel motorcycles have to pay air pollution charges. Vehicles that do not fulfil Euro 3 standards or are produced before July 2007 must pay this cost in ULEZs. However, electric motorcycles have zero emissions and do not need to pay any air pollution cost.
No Fuel Costs
Electric motorcycles save you from paying high fuel costs, and charging them is comparatively cost-effective. That’s why daily charging and running costs for these motorcycles are far less.
Power Modules
Some electric motorcycles have an incorporated hot-swappable module allowing users to use one or two power modules that can be added or removed in less than a minute. This way, you can travel long distances without worrying about battery recharges.
Smart Controls
There is an increase in smart control features as electric motorcycles continue to evolve. With these controls and technology, you can also track your journey to ensure you never get lost, even if you go on a previously unfamiliar route.
Torque Efficiency
The electric motorbikes have greater torque efficiency and impressive acceleration features which help them move with more incredible speeds.
Disadvantages of Electric Motorcycles
Despite of all the benefits, there still are some of the limitations and disadvantages associated with electric motorcycles, such as:
Advanced Planning
Electric motorcycles cannot cover long distances efficiently, requiring you to plan well in advance and explore the location of electric charging points on your way. It will also keep you under stress throughout your journey, worrying about the remaining battery percentage and the distance from the next charging point.
Battery Life
When electric motorcycles are driven more, they require more charging and their battery life gets
compromised over time, requiring recharging more frequently.
Moreover, overcharging the battery can impact its life. However, most chargers will cut out once they are fully charged.
Battery Replacement
If the battery of an electric motorcycle gets damaged over time, you need to replace it, which requires a cost from £600 to £2,000, depending on different models.
Charging Time
Based on the model of your electric motorcycle and charger, its charging time ranges from half an hour to a few hours. Due to this reason, you might face the problem of a flat battery which prevents you from going on an urgent ride spontaneously. Moreover, you may also need to wait a long time to charge your motorcycle at the service station and continue your journey.
Cold Weather Impacts
The battery capacity of electric motorcycles gets reduced as temperature drops during the winter season. It leads to reducing the already shorter range of these motorcycles.
Electricity Cost
The increasing electricity prices in the UK also prevent people from making this purchase decision. Based on the available statistical values, electricity and gas prices have increased by 36.2% and 17.3% respectively.
Reduced Range
Although electric motorcycles are improving with time, they still fail to meet the standard of range coverage of fuel-powered motorcycles. That’s why these motorcycles are only suitable for covering shorter distances but are not an excellent option for longer journeys.
Upfront Cost
Purchasing an electric motorcycle requires a higher initial upfront cost than fuel-based motorcycles. This might make purchasing these motorcycles difficult for some people if they do not have the required amount for investing.
Conclusion
You can weigh the above-mentioned advantages and disadvantages of electric motorcycles to make a sustainable decision. If you want to enjoy a quiet, smooth, and environmentally friendly ride with no exhaust fumes, then you should opt to purchase an electric motorcycle that also comes with low maintenance requirements.
