Is an electric motorbike or scooter right for me?
Owning an electric motorbike or scooter may result in some lifestyle changes. They may be minor, they may be for the better, but knowing exactly what to expect means you’ll be even more confident when you come to buy your first electric motorbike.
What licence type you will need to ride an electric motorbike or scooter will depend on the power of the motorbike you want to buy.
Getting on a motorbike or scooter is easier than you think, most of the time it starts with a 1 day CBT training course.
Read more about what licence & training you will need to get on the electric motorbike or scooter you want here.
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Charging at home and on the go
Cutting the petrol station from your routine is one of the biggest changes you’ll face when you go electric. Electric motorbike / scooter technology is much further ahead than other vehicles. Lots of manufacturers have developed motorbikes and scooters which you can charge them at home via a UK 3 pin plug - meaning you won’t have to install costly charging points.
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If you’ve got ‘range anxiety’ (the fear an electric motorbike will run out of charge and leave you stranded) then you’ll be pleased to hear the battery range of motorbikes is increasing all the time. You can learn more about and the difference ranges electric motorbikes have in our guide.
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More about electric motorbikes and electric scooters
Electric motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes and are growing in popularity – here are our five current favourites
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We spoke to expert the owner/founder of the UK’s No. 1 electric bike re-seller and a genuine used electric bike buyer to help find out what to look out for when buying a used electric bike. Have a look at what they recommend here…
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Find a motorbike or scooter to suit your lifestyle
Popular electric motorbike and scooter brands
LexmotoHarley-DavidsonSilenceBMW
Need a second opinion?
Check out the latest electric motorbike/scooter reviews from our team
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
This car has a rating of: 3.5 out of 5
Zero DSR/X (2024 – ) review
Zero’s electric adventure bike gets some updates and impresses on the road but charging and range remain issues
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
This car has a rating of: 4.5 out of 5
Maeving RM1S (2024 – ) review
More power and a 70mph top speed expand the charming electric-powered Maeving’s horizons to life beyond city limits
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
This car has a rating of: 4 out of 5
BMW CE 04 (2021 - ) review
BMW’s latest electric maxi-scooter is bold, brisk, stylish and effective – but it’s also expensive and more about form than function
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
This car has a rating of: 4 out of 5
Zero FXE (2023 - ) review
A1-compliant electric supermoto is expensive to buy but fun to ride and potentially very cheap to run
Be the first to own one of these bikes. There's no need to wait - they're available right now
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Used electric motorbikes
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Your questions answered
Electric Motorbikes are legal in the UK. However, you must have the correct license type to ride Electric scooters or motorbikes. An electric motorbike is still a motorbike, so if you want to ride it on the road you will need the correct licence and you will also need insurance also. 16-year-old plus requires just a CBT (compulsory basic training) every two years. The Theory Test Pass Certificate is valid for 2 years. must be ridden with L plates and no passengers. You can take the new AM license allowing you to ride without L plates. Top speed 28mph restrictions apply. If you have a full car licence issued before 1st February 2001. This allows you to ride without L plates and can carry a passenger without taking your CBT. 17-year-old plus requires just a CBT (compulsory basic training) every two years. The Theory Test Pass Certificate is valid for 2 years. Must be ridden with L plates and carry no passengers. You can take the A1 license allowing you to ride without L plates. If you have a full car licence issued before 1st February 2001. This requires a CBT to ride with L plates no passengers. You must be 19 years old or above requires A2 Motorcycle Licence You are then allowed to ride any A2 category motorbike or scooter without L plates and you can carry a passenger also. After holding an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can then take another practical test and get an unrestricted A Motorcycle licence.
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