Why Its Too Early For High-Performance Electric Bikes?

The electric motorcycle segment is currently very volatile. Many new, ambitious EV bike companies are chiming in, wanting a piece of cake in this evolving landscape. But many companies are going down, too! Two high-profile electric bike makers recently filed for bankruptcy, which got us thinking. Why are electric motorcycle companies going kaput? We are not talking about vaporware here but reputed names that have existed for some time. One of the motorcycle makers mentioned in this article is the maker of high-performance electric motorcycles only.

This brings us to the next question. Is it still too early for sportsbike-grade EVs to make sense? Electric cars, including high-performance ones, are a lot ahead in market share compared to electric bikes. Why is that so? We give you insight into why “successful” electric motorcycles are tricky and why Zero Motorcycles, the Tesla of the motorcycling world, is an exception. We also detail why the profitable way to go forward for electric motorcycles is with urban-ready small-capacity EVs.

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Energica And FUELL Are Bankrupt

Energica Motor Company Is Being Liquidated

One of the few electric motorcycle companies that tickled our fancy is shutting down. The Italian motorcycle maker Energica is being liquidated, mostly because of its American owners. Energica Motor Company was officially founded in 2014 as a high-performance electric motorcycle maker. In 2022, a major chunk of the company (72.42 percent stake) was bought by America-based Ideanomics Inc. and privatized.

The original owner—Italy-based CRP Group, retained the remaining stake. The track record of its American owners was questionable. The company incurred heavy losses in 2023, and its top employees were under the SEC’s scanner for fraudulent ingestion information sharing. In short, Energica’s finances were on thin ice.

Energica sold awesome electric motorcycles. The likes of Ego+, Eva Ribelle, EsseEsse 9+, and the latest Experia tourer have insane performance. But this was also an issue. Still in their infancy, electric motorcycle makers require a mass-market business plan to succeed financially.

Even legacy brands like Kawasaki started humble and simple with their electric motorcycles, with the 12-horsepower duo of Z e-1 and Ninja e-1 models priced under $8,000. However, the fairly new Energica line-up of four models had an average starting price of $20,000. These motorcycles rivaled liter-class sports bikes with 100+ horses, but their “wow” factor wasn’t enough to sustain the business.

FUELL Has Filed For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Fuell is the brainchild of Eric Buell. It started by building cool e-bikes. In 2023, it impressed the world with an all-new electric motorcycle called the Fuell Fllow. This motorcycle was an exciting package, combining easy urban rideability with enough performance for occasional long runs. It was powered by a 10 kWh battery pack, producing 47 horsepower and an insane 553 pound-feet of torque.

Its unique wheel-mounted motor could do 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 85 MPH. But today, poor finances have forced this ambitious American electric motorcycle company into bankruptcy. Fuell filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2024, allowing the sale of Fuell assets to settle debts.

Will Energica And Fuell Make Electric Motorcycles Again?

There is a possibility of resurrecting the company by bringing in a new owner, similar to how the electric bike maker Cake did. However, only Fuell has a chance between these two because Energica Motor Company’s board of directors decided to liquidate its assets fully. This means that even if someone were willing to muscle up and take over, they would have to start from ground zero, which requires a lot of capital.

Fuell has a fighting chance because of its simpler and less “powerful” offerings. Apart from the Fllow, Fuell also makes comparatively affordable e-bikes. While Eric Buell is not currently associated with the brand, an emotional attachment can persuade him to give Fuell a second chance. It’s wishful thinking, but it’s not impossible.

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Why Are Electric Motorcycles Not Enjoying The Electric Car Fame?

Projected Electric Motorcycle Vs Electric Car Market Size

According to market research websites like Statists and Researchgate, the electric car industry will be a trillion-dollar market by 2030. But at the same time, electric motorcycles (including e-bikes and electric mopeds) will have just reached 1/10th of the electric car market share!

The main reason why electric motorcycles are not gaining traction compared to electric cars is because of their range. Because of a car’s extensive surface area, automakers have the leverage to plant high-capacity batteries, which translates to higher driving range. Today’s longest-range electric car is the Lucid Air Grand Touring with 516 miles. For reference, the FWD 2.5-liter 2025 Toyota Camry has a claimed tank range of 611 miles. This humble mid-size sedan makes a maximum of 232 horses. But the Lucid is a monster with up to 819 horsepower! So, not only have electric cars caught up to ICEs in terms of range, but they also offer supercar-level performance along with it.

Among electric motorcycles, the highest range offering that you could buy in 2024 was the Energica Ego+ RS, with a city range of up to 261 miles. But now, with Energica going bankrupt, this motorcycle is out of the “optimistic” pack. Many other electric bikes promise over 200 miles on a full charge, like the Lightning LS-218, the Damon Hypersport Premier, and the Evoke 6061-GT. However, the problem is that these motorcycles or their companies are either bankrupt or have yet to be produced. The Verge TS Ultra, with a maximum range of 233 miles, is the only hopeful offering we look forward to, along with another American electric motorcycle maker that has been around since 2006!

Reasons Why Electric Motorcycles Are Not As Successful As Electric Cars

• Impractical riding range, especially for the so-called touring and off-roading motorcycles
• Questionable service reach and reliability quotient of new electric bike makers
• Due to their size, motorcycles are already invisible on freeways. Silent electric bikes make things a lot more challenging.
• Recharging infrastructure is not as widespread as gas stations
• Expensive purchases like electric powertrain technology are still evolving and very new.
• There is no “emotional” connection with an electric motorcycle. This is a very important factor, especially since riding a motorcycle is considered ‘therapy’ by many.

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But Zero Motorcycles Is An Example Of A “Successful” Electric Motorcycle Company

Despite all their shortcomings, a few exciting electric motorcycles are going against the tide and offer not just practical but adrenaline-pumping motorcycles. Zero Motorcycles, an American EV brand, has been in business since 2006. Zero has evolved into an electric bike company with offerings that are affordable, powerful, reliable, and industry-best range figures.

Zero is also the only electric bike company with four types of motorcycles on offer: sports bikes, touring bikes (including an ADV), supermotos, and an all-new 2025 range of off-roading offerings—the cheapest American electric motorcycle duo yet! Regarding performance and features, Zero Motorcycles are some of the most VFM electric bikes out there.

2025 Zero Motorcycles Line-Up: Price And Range

Its wide line-up includes an electric motorcycle for every price bracket, making Zero motorcycles desirable to a larger audience, which also helps in sales and popularity.

Electric Motorcycles Shine On City Roads

If you dissect the sales sheet of electric motorcycles across the globe, most of them will be from humble e-bikes and low-powered mopeds. This points to the fact that electric bikes are more popular and sensible for urban commutes. Compact form factor, nimble riding dynamics, and instant torque are the main reasons electric motorcycles shine in urban scenarios. This is why Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle, the Flying Flea C6, looks like a beefed-up e-bike. Honda has also unveiled a cool electric motorcycle concept at EICMA 2024 that emphasizes the “Urban” playground.

2025 Electric Motorcycles To Look Forward To

• Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6
• Zero XE and XB (Off-Road-Only)
• Honda EV Fun Concept-based Streetfighter