A recent announcement from green energy supplier Ecotricity offers a glimpse into the future of motorcycling.
The company said that there had been a huge increase in the number of vehicles using its fast charge network at motorway service stations across Britain. While the announcement focuses on cars, the UK’s expanding network of free charge points means that the popularity of electric motorcycles is increasing rapidly too.
Navigant Research predicts that 55 million electric motorbikes and scooters will be sold all over the world in the next ten years. Specialist manufacturers like Brammo and Zero Motorcycles are already doing brisk business and the market is expected to be boosted by the introduction of high-profile models from big names like Yamaha, BMW and Harley-Davidson.
According to Ecotricity, the number of cars using the Electric Highway – its national motorway network of charge points for electric vehicles – more than tripled in just three quarters, from 4,080 in October-December 2013 to 8,891 the following quarter and 15,152 in April-June this year. The network has now powered more than 1 million miles of free travel, and around 800 new members sign up each month.
While in the past there were concerns about how long it would take to recharge the battery of an electric vehicle, fast-charge technology means that you can recharge your EV in 20 minutes – about the time it takes to have a cup of coffee – and continue your journey.
Within the next few months, all motorway service stations in Britain will have fast chargers.
Are you tempted to go electric? Let us know!
