Electric Motorcycles

Electric motorcycles are coming, they are the future and it's better to get prepared. JPJ Malaysia has classified e-bikes for road use, after passing JPJ Vehicle Type Approval and being submitted to the authority. Thus making them fully safe and sound for daily commute.
Electric bikes are taxed and insured in Malaysia and one can ride them using a standard motorcycle license. Also, the road tax on e-bikes is not as much as on combustion-engine units. It ranges from RM 2 (for units up to 150 cc) to RM 350 (for units with 801 cc and above displacing engines). The insurance premium in the case of electric bikes depends on the sum insured without taking into account the rider's age, riding experience, and riding record.
As for maintenance, though there is an immediate reduction of daily petrol cost, one has to bear the battery replacement cost at the end of life. Other running costs involve the replacement of brake and tyres. Not to forget the cost of electricity for charging.
Speaking of which, electric vehicle charging is heavily based in the country towards electric cars. There is no provision at all for fast charging an e-bike and we hope for the situation to change soon. Until then removable battery packs come in handy as a feasible solution with some major manufactures in plans to standardise the specification across the industry.
While with an e-motorcycle one has to be aware of electric supply, especially when travelling to isolated locations, however, there is a flip side to it as well. For instance, they are fun to ride, the motor torque is available from start, and the quietness they bring to the urban space.