Decarbonizing motorcycling, really means decarbonizing the electrical system in the United States. In 2023, 61% of power transmission came from fossil fuels. In just seven years, 80% of power transmission in the United States, with 100% of public transportation, will be electric. The forcast is for medium and heavy-duty vehicle sales in the US to be 80% electric by 2030 as well.
While some suggest that is unlikely, it is mostly those in support of oil and fossil fuel technologies that state this. Already it is evident that the cost to generate and deliver electricity in 2030 will cost the same amount. While some generation will be required as battery storage, wind, and solar are ramped up, an 80% clean grid will avoid $1.7 Trillion in health and environmental damage, including reducing premature deaths by 93,000 through 2050. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2030-Report-FINAL.pdf
In order to reach the target for 2030, the US has to introduce 120 GW’s of power each year for the next seven years. China achieved this level of clean energy transmission in 2022, so the numbers are more than doable. The complete report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory can be found at the link, above.
So, assuming that the prognostications are correct, what does this mean for the motorcycle industry as a whole?
https://fortnine.ca/en/are-electric-motorcycles-the-future
Fortnine has done a decent job of tracking the process by which we came to where we are. But does it preclude us from going where we ‘need’ to go? New technologies will undoubtedly change the future and today’s ascertions. Nothing remains the same, and, fortunately or unfortunately, the same can be said for motorcycling.
I admit, I have never ridden an electric motorcycle, however this year I will. When my blog switches over to a vlog, come spring, I intend on doing a complete review of at least one motorcycle, which if the marketing information is accurate will be available on the Canadian marketplace.
New improvements in energy density, likely available by 2025, will enable full charges on motorcycles at level 3 charging stations in times similar to gas fueling, 10-15 minutes. Motorcycles then will have comparable ranges to ICE motorcycles, which should begin to heavily impact the sale of motorcycles globally. Beginning this summer, at least three fossil fuel gas stations across Canada and the US will be offering level 3 chargers at their stations, with a projected 20,000 chargers in Canada by 2026.
Irrespective of which electric motorcycle one has purchased, at that point, finding a place to charge your vehicle will not be a problem.
Which brings us back to the concentric argument. Why not buy an electric bike going forward? For millenials and GenX’ers the answer is that they will, which leaves ICE manufacturers seeking answers as to how will sales of ICE vehicles fare, when new energy dense electrical motorcycle technologies arrive in the coming years?
There are today, ten reasons, seven of which are reiterated here, for motorcyclists to consider purchasing electric. They are:
- Cost efficiency – electric motorcycles are, while comparably or even mor to purchase than ICE motorcycles, they operate at a fraction of the cost of a combustion engine. The reason is obvious, low electricity rates and minimal maintenance schedules. Electric bikes have fewer moving parts, wear is less, and expensive mechanics are less necessary. There is a lower likelihood of breakdown and extended lifespan of critical components.
- Compared to any combustion engine design, including hydrogen, electric motorcycles are ecologically responsible.
- Unmatched performance due to instant torque delivery.
- Easier to ride, since they don’t have a clutch or gearbox.
- Reliability through a boost in consistent performance.
- Infrastructure development is accelerating, and some manufacturers will be offering swappable batteries.
- Supportive policies by governments, with some subsidizing the transition by owners from ICE to electrical motorcycles.
So, what all of this comes down to, is a question, asked by many as an internal thought, especially those committed to motorcycling as a leisure activity, and lifestyle choice.
What is the future of motorcycling? The following video, too poses this question, and the answers are as diverse as the people posing the question. For some, change will simply be a theoretical exercise as they have no intention of changing. For others this decision is formative to their future purchase, as they intend to ride, but want to be assured that whatever their choice, they won’t be penalized in some form (either by performance or financially) for having made it.
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