Five electric motorcycles to beat the fuel crisis

Fuel is a hot topic right now, with prices soaring and stocks dwindling. So does that mean it’s time to take a closer look at electric as a more economical option? We’ll let you decide, but here are five electric motorcycles you can buy right now.

Australian company Savic is flying the flag for local automotive manufacturing with its high-spec C-Series roadster. Production is small-scale for now, but the bike is locally built and has received positive reviews from Australian media.

It’s powered by a 16.2kWh battery and an in-house developed SM1 3-Phase AC IPM motor, which together produce 80kW and 250Nm, with a claimed maximum range of 220km and a claimed 0–100% recharge time of 4.5 hours.

The C-Series is also equipped with a TFT touchscreen, a comprehensive electronic rider aid suite, Brembo brakes, bespoke suspension and Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres. It also features striking neo-retro café racer styling.

Price: from $29,990 plus on-road costs

Fonz is another Australian company. Its models are designed, developed and assembled in Sydney, with components sourced overseas.

The Z-Series scooter offers what the company describes as “300cc performance” from its lithium-ion cylindrical-cell battery and a QSMotor rear-wheel direct-drive electric motor. It produces a claimed 11kW and has a maximum range of 105km. Charging time is estimated at 1.5 hours for “up to 100km” of range.

The scooter also offers enough storage space for a full-size helmet and comes fitted with a TFT display, multiple ride modes, regenerative braking and tyre pressure monitoring. There is also an optional “long-range” battery available, increasing range to a claimed 180km.

Price: from $9,990 ride away

Now we take a leap across the ditch to New Zealand, where Hamilton-based company FTN Motion is spreading good vibes with its Streetdog range. Like Savic and Fonz, FTN Motion designs and assembles its products in-house, with some components such as motors and batteries sourced globally.

The all-new Streetdog XR is a scrambler-styled electric motorcycle powered by a 2.9kWh battery and a 7.5kW motor. It offers a claimed range of 60–80km and a recharge time of 5 hours and 30 minutes. There is also room in the 30L storage compartment for a second battery, extending range to an estimated 140km.

FTN Motion has fitted the Streetdog XR with a touchscreen display, two ride modes, pin code and keyless access, a rear wheel lock, regenerative braking and a USB charging port.

According to FTN, the XR weighs just 88kg including the battery and has a 775mm seat height, making it ideal for beginners.

Price: from $9,990 ride away

It’s no secret that most major motorcycle brands are working on various two-wheel electric concepts, but not many have committed to mass production.

Harley-Davidson had a brief crack with its original LiveWire, while BMW seems to have quietly discontinued the CE 04 scooter in Australia.

That leaves Kawasaki as one of the few legacy motorcycle manufacturers with a mass-produced electric model. This comes in the form of the Ninja e-1 sportsbike and its naked sibling, the Z e-1.

The e-1 platform features dual removable batteries and a 9kW motor, with range estimated at around 72km. It comes with multiple ride modes, smartphone connectivity and an estimated charging time of 3.7 hours for both batteries.

Price: from $11,303 ride away

Stark Future is a Swedish-born, Spain-based company that has made waves with bold marketing and advanced electric technology.

The VARG MX motocross bike turned heads on release, and the brand has since added EX enduro and SM supermoto versions to its range. The company also says more is on the horizon, including an adventure bike aimed at the 800cc class.

On paper, the road-registerable VARG SM delivers up to 80hp and 914Nm, while its 7.2kWh battery provides a claimed range of 118km. Charging is estimated at under two hours via a 3.3kW portable charger.

The VARG SM is also fitted with premium components and a suite of tech features, including a “military-grade” removable smartphone that doubles as the bike’s display. A subscription service unlocks additional features including navigation, lap timers, extra ride modes, increased power and extended connectivity via the included SIM card.

Price: from $21,990 plus on-road costs