Future Auto March 2024

50 FUTURE AUTO | MOTORBIKES
ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES
READY TO ROAR (QUIETLY)
2024 will be a pivotal year when
it comes to battery-electric
motorbikes – but traditional
riders are not expected to lead the
EV switch.
Instead, the rise of electric-only
bikes is likely to usher in a new type
of motorcyclist.
This is the prediction of leading
Adelaide motorcycle dealer Mark
Flynn, owner of Coast Powersports
at Morphett Vale since 2001.
“The EV side of things is still pretty
new to motorcycling,” he said.
“It’s really only minibikes and kids
bikes now, whereas the next 12
months you’ll see the landscape
change semi-dramatically with a lot
of mainstream motorcycles.”
New entrants
As with the car industry, new players
are entering the game.
“The mainstream manufacturers
have been the slowest to adapt
to the market and the wants of
the customers.
“You’ll see brands like Zero,
Savic, Super Soco, Energica and
Stark VARG.
“It will create opportunities in
our industry for people who are
potentially not customers at
the moment.”
Mark predicted the commuting
market might take off first, leading
to rapid growth in electric scooters.
“People may want to buy a scooter
to ride to an office job in town and
feel like they’re doing the right thing
by the environment,” he said.
“I think you’ll see the big companies
bring out electric scooters in the
next 12 months.”
Purists welded on
Mark doesn’t expect the traditional
motorcyclist to embrace the
change.
The “purists” are not yet asking
about the emerging technology.
“For example, guys who want to ride
to the Flinders Ranges are going
to have range issues, so they are
not interested in electric bikes at
this point.
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