MAKE THE SWITCH

Is it time you swapped petrol for battery power?

While electric cars have become part of the mainstream, electric motorbikes haven’t caught on quite so quickly. There are signs that’s starting to change, with electric bike sales up by more than 8% in 2022 compared with 2021.

It’s easy to see the appeal. With fuel prices so high, an electric two-wheeler promises rock-bottom running costs. What’s more, you can get your kicks without any guilt over exhaust emissions.

On the other hand, electric bikes are typically more expensive to buy. Here are the pros and cons to consider before you decide to make the switch.

WHY BUY AN ELECTRIC BIKE?

● Better for the environment. An electric bike has no exhaust emissions.

● Low running costs. Recharge at home from a domestic socket, and you could pay as little as 1-2p per mile.

● Instant performance. Electric motors deliver maximum torque from the first twist of the throttle, so they accelerate hard from a standing start.

● Quiet running. With almost no noise or vibration, riding an electric bike is a chilled experience.

● Easy to ride. Electric bikes have one forward gear, so riding one is simple.

WHY AVOID AN ELECTRIC BIKE?

● Expensive to buy. You can expect to pay a lot. For example, the highly regarded Zero range starts from £13,685.

● Noise and vibration are all part of the fun. Many riders will miss the sound and character of petrol power.

● Range anxiety. Some electric bikes have a realworld range of less than 100 miles, and range drops in cold weather.

● Charging time. Topping up a fuel tank takes a few minutes. Topping up batteries takes a few hours.

● Choice. There aren’t as many electric bikes are there are petrol ones, so your choice at a given price point won’t be as broad.