Do You Need Electric Motorbike Insurance?
The popularity of electric motorbikes is certainly surging, with plenty of riders willing to take advantage of the environmental and financial benefits on offer. A look at the key statistics from the Motorcycle Industry Association tells you all you need to know. Between January and May 2021, there were 1,986 new registrations of electric motorbikes. That’s an increase of 233% on the 596 that were registered in the same period in 2020.
As battery power continues to improve, so too will sales figures as more riders join the electric revolution – especially in light of the UK government’s commitment to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
Buying an electric motorbike is one thing, but what about insurance? Do you need it? How much does it cost? And why is it sometimes a bit more difficult to find motorcycle cover for these machines? Allow Carole Nash to answer those questions for you, but first, let’s talk a little bit more about electric motorbikes and why they’re becoming an increasingly attractive option for riders across the UK.
What is an electric motorbike?
Electric motorbikes run off an electric motor, which is powered by a rechargeable battery. In contrast, standard bikes are powered by the burning of fuel in a combustion engine. That major difference aside, they are ridden in the same way and you are still required to wear a helmet when out on the roads.
You’ll need either a full or provisional licence to ride an electric motorbike and if you got your licence after 1st February 2001 you’ll need to go through Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).
What are the benefits of owning an electric motorbike?
There are plenty of advantages to riding an electric motorbike:
- They emit no harmful emissions, which is good for the environment
- The government offers a plug-in grant that entitles you to a 20% discount off the purchase price, up to £1,500
- For fully electric motorbikes, road tax is free of charge
- They’re lighter and easier to manoeuvre
- Recharging the battery is cheaper than refuelling a bike with a combustion engine
- They can be fully recharged in a matter of hours and battery life is improving all the time
Do you need insurance for an electric bike?
The short answer is yes. You are legally required to take out insurance to be able to ride your electric motorbike on UK roads. In that sense, it is treated the same as a standard bike or any other motor vehicle such as a car or van. If you do not get electric bike insurance, you risk facing punishment from the authorities.
What happens if you don’t take out electric bike insurance?
To be deemed roadworthy, you need to have at least third-party insurance. If you’re found to be riding your electric motorbike without the right cover in place, you could be fined up to £300 and have six points added to your licence. You could even end up in court, where you might face an unlimited fine and disqualification from riding. The police also have the power to destroy your bike.
Why can it be difficult to get electric bike insurance?
Although electric motorbikes are becoming increasingly popular, there are still many UK riders who are yet to make that leap. Part of the reason for that is their limited range, which makes them more suited to nipping around towns and cities than hitting the open road for a long ride out.
Electric motorbikes are still heavily outnumbered by bikes which rely on fuel, which means some insurers are not yet offering the same extensive choice of policies as they do for conventional models.
How much does electric motorcycle insurance cost?
No two policies are the same, which means it’s difficult to offer a straightforward answer to this question. However, there are some steps you can take that might help you find a cheaper deal on your electric bike insurance:
- Use anti-theft devices and immobilisers
- Keep your bike locked up in a secure building such as a shed, garage or storage facility
- Add an experienced rider over the age of 25 to your policy – subject to a good riding record and based on individual circumstances
How to insure an electric bike through Carole Nash
There’s no doubt that electric motorbikes are here to stay, so it’s vital riders have plenty of choices when it comes to finding the right cover. For electric bike insurance in the UK, look no further than Carole Nash. We’ll help you find the policy that’s right for your ride by searching through our panel of leading motorcycle insurance underwriters.
We make it as simple as possible for you to find the cover you want – you can get an online quote in a matter of minutes or give us a call on 0333 005 3355. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you secure the very best electric bike insurance to suit your needs.