Electric motorcycles in the UK vs Europe: where we are now — and why the UK outlook is bright

Electric motorcycles (and scooters) still sit in a “small-but-growing” corner of the UK’s two-wheel market — especially when you compare them with the bigger EV story happening on four wheels. But that’s exactly why the next few years look so interesting: the conditions that helped UK electric cars break into the mainstream are starting to line up for electric two-wheelers too.

The UK picture: niche volumes, clear momentum signals

UK registration data shows electric powered two-wheelers remain a modest share of total L-category registrations, but they’re not standing still. By November 2025, the UK recorded 3,084 electric L-category registrations year-to-date, down 12.7% versus the same period in 2024 — yet the most accessible “everyday” segment (electric motorcycles ≤11 kW) actually grew 7.2% YoY to 2,069 YTD. mcia.co.uk+1

That mix matters: lightweight commuter bikes and scooters are often the gateway products that normalise electric riding for new audiences — exactly as smaller, affordable EV cars accelerated adoption in the auto market.

Europe: strong foundations, but a recent soft patch

Across Europe, the long-term trend is clearly toward electrification, but the last couple of years have been bumpier for two wheels than many expected. One industry analysis of ACEM data notes that electric motorcycle penetration fell to ~2.45% in 2024, after being above 4.5% in 2022, while electric moped penetration slipped to under 28% in 2024. InsightEV - Global Electric Mobility

Meanwhile, overall motorcycle registrations in Europe’s biggest markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) were up ~10.1% in 2024 — showing the underlying two-wheel demand is healthy, even if electric share is still finding its footing. ACEM - The Motorcycle Industry In Europe

Why the UK’s growth runway looks especially positive

The UK’s electric car market is doing the heavy cultural lifting: EVs are now normal. In November 2025, battery-electric cars reached a 26.4% market share in the UK, per SMMT — and that rising familiarity reduces the “unknowns” around charging, range expectations, and ownership costs for would-be electric riders. SMMT

Policy and cost signals are also starting to separate cars and bikes. The UK’s MCIA highlighted one near-term tailwind: “the exclusion of Electric Motorcycles… from the new 3p per mile road charging” being introduced for electric cars. mcia.co.uk

Put it together and you get a simple outlook: as more UK drivers become EV owners (and more households become “EV households”), electric two-wheelers become a far easier second purchase — for commuting, city errands, and fun. The market doesn’t need a single breakthrough moment; it needs steady model choice, better awareness, and the confidence that “electric just works.” The UK is rapidly building that confidence already.