Top 11 electric motorcycle brands you need to watch

Electric motorcycles are coming, and they will likely be here to stay. Some will love it, many will hate it, but we're all going to have to get used to it.

And while the general motorcycling public is still a little hesitant about a post-internal combustion future, motorcycle manufacturers around the globe are not prepared to wait – instead, they are working tirelessly to establish themselves in the incoming Electric World Order.

Of course, many established players like BMW, Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, and Kawasaki have plenty going on behind the scenes, while other smaller companies like Aussie-based Braaap are already supplementing their existing ranges with electric models.

But there is also a growing number of specialist electric motorcycle companies that have seen what Tesla has done in the automotive world and want a piece of the action.

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So who will be the next superpower in the motorcycling world? Here are eleven electric motorcycle companies you should keep an eye on:

In case you are out of the loop, LiveWire is a Harley-Davidson spin-off company. But, while it will utilise H-D’s extensive resources, LiveWire will operate as a standalone brand. Its first model, the LiveWire One, is essentially a re-badged Harley-Davidson LiveWire, but we expect to see more models (both high-performance and practical) in the near future. H-D’s revolutionary LiveWire is arguably the best example of a high-performance electric motorcycle we’ve seen so far on public roads. Is LiveWire destined to be the Tesla of motorcycles? Time will tell…

Related: Harley-Davidson spin-off reveals new 2022 LiveWire One electric motorcycle

It would be fair to argue that whatever LiveWire is currently doing, Zero did first. Founded in Santa Cruz in 2006 by a former NASA engineer, Zero has long been a leader in the electric motorcycle space race. Its range includes street, supermoto, dual-sport and motocross models, and it has also produced products for various commercial uses. Zero was once imported into Australia by Polaris, however that agreement is no longer.

Related: Zero Motorcycles unveil full-fairing electric SR/S

Evoke was founded in 2018, but it is quickly growing into an established electric motorcycle player. The Hong Kong-based firm has a presence in over 18 countries, including Australia, where its products are imported by Peter and Chris Hull. The brand’s Urban Classic and Urban S models are great examples of affordable electric bikes with satisfactory performance. While early generations had some minor build-quality issues, the company is improving every year and is one to watch.

Related: Evoke Urban S Review

A subsidiary of global scooter manufacturer, Vmoto, Super Soco is a Chinese company that is quickly growing into an electric powerhouse. It specialises in affordable commuters and scooters, with the TC Max and the CPx scooter just two of its popular models. Vmoto’s Italian arm also recently struck a deal with Aussie e-bike builder, Stealth Electric Bikes, hinting at a potential plan to be a powerhouse of electric motorcycling.

Related: 2021 Super Soco CPx Review

Who said Aussie manufacturing was dead? This Melbourne-based firm unveiled its first concept back in 2018 at Moto Expo, however it is now gearing up to go into production, with a three-model launch slated for late 2022. The company, founded and operated by Dennis Savic, recently secured a significant funding grant from the Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre. Savic’s electric high-performance motorcycles appear to be made of quality parts, signalling a strong future.

Related: Bold Aussie electric motorcycle range readies for launch

Formerly called Fonzarelli, this is another Australian company that specialises in affordable electric scooters for commuting. Based in Sydney, Fonz produces two traditional step-through electric scooters, as well as the Grom-like NDK. 

Related: Fonzarelli launches electric motorcycle

This aforementioned Melbourne-based company has traditionally focused on high-power electric bicycles (or e-bikes), however recent partnerships with Vmoto and C-Creative (headed by former MV Agusta boss, Giovanni Castiglioni) suggests a potential move to fully-fledged electric motorcycles. The company is a bit of a mover and shaker, having worked with the US military and, more recently, Australia Post. Stealth has been around for a little while, but it looks set to grow very quickly.

Related: Former MV Agusta boss teams up with Australian electric bike company

Canada doesn’t want to miss out on the action either, and it’s very own Damon Motorcycles is ready to launch a high-tech, high-performance sportsbike dubbed the Hypersport. The bike supposedly has a 200-mile range (321km), which would be a game-changer, and it is also packed with state-of-the-art technology including radars, auto-adjustable ergonomics, and 360-degree safety awareness. This innovative company has solid funding and strategy, so keep a close eye on it.

Related: Damon Motorcycles unveils high-tech electric superbike

Our trip around the globe continues with Energica, an Italian company that has support from CRP Group, and employees with Formula 1 experience. Energica has been around since 2014 and produces a number of high-performance models. With the impending electric revolution, Energica could be ready to become a major player.

Volcon is a Texas-based company that recently went public on the US stock exchange despite its incredibly new and untested products. The brand recently start shipping orders around the globe including its uniquely-named Grunt and Runt models. This pair of fat-tire electric dirt bikes are designed with low seat heights, app-based navigation, and high-torque motors. The Grunt has a 75-mile (120km) range, while the Runt has a 35-mile (56km) range. The company also produces two electric UTVs. The company is growing quickly and is ready to move into a new purpose-built facility.

Based in Sweden, this company is quite unique in its approach to sustainability. Cake builds both commuters and off-road machines that, like Stealth, blur the lines between motorcycle and bicycle. One of its flagship models, the Kalk AP, is a solar-powered off-roader that has been dubbed the Anti-Poaching Bike. Why Anti-Poaching? Well, Cake is working with the Southern Africa Wildlife College to help protect conservation areas from poaching using, of course, quiet solar-powered electric motorcycles. The innovative company has also received a number of design awards.

Related: Cake Kalk's mixed ingredients