Motorbikes “virtually ignored” in government policy but can cut congestion and overcome charging problems with detachable batteries
By Will Nichols
Electric motorbikes could be better adapted to the city than electric cars, but need government financial support to reach their potential, according to a new industry association established to promote low-carbon two-wheelers.
The eMCI was launched today as an offshoot of the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) and lost no time in calling for an expansion of recharging networks and for electric motorbikes to be included in the government’s £5,000 subsidy for electric car buyers.
There are currently around 550 electric Powered Two Wheelers (ePTW) on the UK’s roads, but the eMCI expects this to increase rapidly if the EU’s plans to remove all but low-carbon vehicles from cities by 2050 comes to fruition.
“For two to five years I’d expect there to be tentative development,” an eMCI spokesman told BusinessGreen. “But the sky’s the limit. There’s very serious movement with the EU’s policy to decarbonize cities.”
Advocates of electric bikes say they have space advantages over cars, as well as batteries that can be removed and charged indoors. Like their larger electric counterparts, range varies from around 30 miles to 100 miles for more advances models.
However, the eMCI says the electric motorbike is “noticeable only by its absence or at best token mention” in government policy, and wants similar recognition of its benefits as its four-wheeled cousin enjoys.
It wants ePTWs to be included in the development of the government’s Plugged-in Places charging infrastructure programme, which is developing a network of charge points in London, Milton Keynes and the North East, and greater government support for businesses in the sector.
“The eMCI is calling for the government’s Plug In Grant for cars to be extended to ePTWs, the inclusion of the ePTW in all future EV planning and policy, and recognition of the added benefits of the ePTW in terms of congestion, parking and most importantly, the charging infrastructure,” said Steve Kenward, chief executive of the MCI. “The eMCI is also seeking government support for technology startup businesses working in the area of low carbon technology for ePTWs.”
A Department for Transport spokeswoman told BusinessGreen the government had no plans to subsidize electric motorbikes and was focusing on cars as “cars contribute the most to emissions.”
(Source: www.businessgreen.com )