The six main types of motorcycles are generally recognized as standard, cruiser, touring, sports, off-road, and dual-purpose. Sport touring is sometimes recognized as a seventh category or integrated with the touring category.
A motorized bicycle is a bicycle with an attached motor or engine and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedalling. Since it sometimes retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized bicycle is in technical terms a true bicycle, albeit a power-assisted one. Typically they are incapable of speeds above 52 km/h (32 mph), however in recent years larger motors have been built, allowing bikes to reach speeds of upwards of 72 km/h.
An electric bicycle is a motorized bicycle with an integrated electric motor used to assist propulsion. Many kinds of e-bikes are available worldwide, but they generally fall into two broad categories: bikes that assist the rider's pedal-power and bikes that add a throttle, integrating moped-style functionality. Both retain the ability to be pedaled by the rider and are therefore not electric motorcycles. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and typically are motor-powered up to 25 to 32 km/h. High-powered varieties can often travel more than 45 km/h (28 mph).
A motorized scooter is a stand-up scooter powered by either a small internal combustion engine or electric hub motor in its front and/or rear wheel. Classified as a form of micro-mobility, they are generally designed with a large center deck on which the rider stands. The first motorized scooter was manufactured by Autoped in 1915.
The BMW C1 is an enclosed scooter made by Bertone for BMW. Compared to a conventional scooter, the C1 offered extra safety features and protection from the elements. The rider would sit in a car-type seat and adopt a feet-forward posture. Introduced in 2000, it was available throughout Europe, but sales were disappointing and the C1 was discontinued in 2002. In 2009 the C1-E electric version was presented as a concept.
Founded in 1996, Vectrix is a US-born electric motorcycle brand that made the world’s first highway-ready electric bike. Its Singapore HQ oversees multiple teams in Europe and Asia*. Vectrix’s fleet of two- to four-wheel vehicles are used by many organisations for policing, postal services, and food delivery. It is often used by individuals as a hobby bike or commuting workhorse. Vectrix integrated with Adiva Italian bikes after its 2018 acquisition by Vectrix Advance Technology Pte Ltd under the leadership of a motorcycle-industry business veteran, Rinda Komasato who owns multiple patents in electric motorbike design and technology. Their customer-centric passion for design excellence and continual improvement in emission-reducing motorcycles resulted in numerous new releases and upgrades from 2018 to 2023.
Electric motorcycles and scooters are plug-in electric vehicles with two or three wheels. Power is supplied by a rechargeable battery that drives one or more electric motors. Electric scooters are distinguished from motorcycles by having a step-through frame, instead of being straddled. Electric bicycles are similar vehicles, distinguished by retaining the ability to be propelled by the rider pedaling in addition to battery propulsion.
A Pedelec or EPAC, is a type of low-powered electric bicycle where the rider's pedalling is assisted by a small electric motor. However, unlike some other types of e-bikes, pedelecs are classified as conventional bicycles in many countries by road authorities rather than as a type of electric moped. Pedelecs have an electronic controller that cuts power to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed – usually 25 km/h (16 mph) or 32 km/h (20 mph) – is reached. Pedelecs are useful for people who ride in hilly areas or in strong headwinds. While a pedelec can be any type of bicycle, a pedelec city bike is very common. A conventional bicycle can be converted to a pedelec with the addition of the necessary parts, e.g., motor, battery, etc.
A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle, fully electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs) for propulsion. They derive all power from battery packs and thus have no internal combustion engine, fuel cell, or fuel tank. BEVs include – but are not limited to – motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, railcars, watercraft, forklifts, buses, trucks, and cars.
Electric drag racing is a form of drag motor racing between electric vehicles.
Lit Motors Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that designed conceptual two-wheeled vehicles, including a fully electric, gyroscopically stabilized vehicle.
The City Mantis Electric Scooter is a personal transporter developed by City Mantis USA. It is not clear when the City Mantis was first launched but its earliest appearance comes from a Cycle Show at the Business Design Centre in 2002. The original City Mantis model was known for its unique fold-up feature and was marketed for being conveniently stored or carried away after use. According to the official website, the City Mantis was voted "most innovative new product of 2003" at the time of its release.
Z Electric Vehicle Corporation (ZEV) is an American owned and operated electric scooter manufacturer and distributor based in Morgantown, West Virginia, with test facilities in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Its vehicles are assembled in both the US and China with assembly shops in the US, Australia, and Vietnam. ZEV says its electric scooters are the world's most powerful, fastest, and have the longest range.
Lightning Motorcycle Corp. is an American manufacturer of electric motorcycles. CEO and Founder Richard Hatfield started the company in 2006 in San Carlos, California.
The Energica Ego is an electrically propelled sport road motorcycle designed and marketed by Energica Motor Company. It is claimed by Energica to be the world's first street-legal electric Italian sport motorcycle. The prototype was finished in 2013 and the vehicle came into the market in 2015. The prototype made use of new technologies such as CNC and 3D-printing, including the dashboard and headlights which were 3D-printed.
Pakistan already has a significant market for hybrid vehicles with Honda's Vezel, Toyota's Prius, and Aqua, and other models seen on the roads. The Automotive Development Policy (2016–2021) and the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are encouraging foreign investments for new automobile brands to enter the Pakistani market, while the leading manufacturers in the automobile industry in Pakistan are interested in introducing electric vehicle (EV) models with a wide range of prices which target consumers of diverse income groups. Several members of the international automobile industry including South Korea, China, and Japan also believe that Pakistan has a high potential market for EV technology, and local businesses are collaborating with them to bring EVs to Pakistan.
Askoll EVA S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of two-wheeled electric vehicles for urban mobility. The Dueville based company produces e-bikes, electric scooters, components and kits. Askoll EVA is a subsidiary of Askoll Group, an Italian corporation specialized in manufacturing electric motors and drain pumps for washing machines, heating systems and other domestic appliances.
Okinawa Autotech is an Indian electric vehicle company, headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. It was founded by Jeetender Sharma and Dr Rupali Sharma in 2015.
Industrias Quantum Motors SA is a vehicle manufacturing company based in Cochabamba, Bolivia and founded by José Carlos Márquez and Carlos Suroco Deiters in 2017. The company originally made mini electric dump trucks for the mining industry. It also makes motorcycles and bicycles.
The Kawasaki e-1 is an electric motorcycle produced by Kawasaki, which markets it in two variants: a naked Z e-1 and a Ninja e-1 sport bike with fairing.
