Based on national traffic information system data, the first electric motorbikes – 22 in total – were registered and sold in South Africa in 2014, says Association of Motorcycle Industry Distributors (AMID) national director Arnold Olivier.

Of these units, 13 were from US manufacturer Zero bikes (including some demo models) and nine from a Chinese scooter brand.

Sales remained stagnant for the first few years thereafter, notes Olivier, hovering below ten units from 2015 to 2017.

In 2018, sales of electric motorbikes inched up to 13 units, with 44 unit sales recorded in 2019, 57 in 2020, and 56 in 2021.

In 2022 sales moved over the 100-unit mark for the first time, at 122 units, with a massive jump to 644 units in 2023, and then on to 1 635 units in 2024.

For the first six months of this year, sales are at 1 398 units, says OIivier.

“Electric bike sales have grown massively since 2023, owing mostly to two importers that have put electric scooters into commercial fleets under their management.”

BMW also launched an electric scooter in 2023 and now has two models on the local market.

However, these models are “at the very top end and very expensive relative to conventional motorcycles”, says Olivier.

While electric-bike sales numbers include three-wheelers, the market is dominated by two-wheelers, at 97% of last year’s market, with the remaining 3% three-wheelers.

“There is a smattering of off-road and quad bikes – not registered – which are statistically insignificant,” adds Olivier.

“Kids’ EV bikes – also not registered – are taking off very well and it is mainly due to a very low-priced Chinese product on the market.”

Looking towards the remainder of the year, Olivier says it is difficult to predict what the remaining six months hold in terms of electric motorbike sales, with 2 000 units a speculative estimate.

As the electric-bike market is dominated by two importers, the question is whether they are able to expand their fleets.

“There is no doubt in my mind that electric bikes have a future in the commercial space,” notes Olivier.

“Individual ownership, however, is hampered by affordability and charging issues.

“From a leisure point of view, there is very little allure, largely because of cost and range issues, so I think it will remain niche.”

Motorbike Market on the Mend
After a healthy start to the year, with 39.5% growth in total South African motorbike sales in the first quarter, the second quarter was more subdued, at 6.9% growth compared with the same period last year.

This means that the new motorbike market in South Africa is up 22.9% for the first six months of the year.           

The commercial sector is up 23% for the first six months and scooters are down 10%.

The higher-priced leisure segments show an overall increase of 18% year-to-date, with the bulk of the activity in the sub 500cc segments, mainly smaller adventure/dual-sport models.

Off-road motorcycle sales are down 13%.

Olivier says total motorbike sales for 2025 may break the 40 000-unit barrier for the first time in 12 years.