The future of powersport EVs is wide open

The future of powersport EVs is wide open

In the U.S. and beyond, two- and four-wheeled EV recreation is becoming more visible and more accessible.

You’ve heard of Livewire, right? Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycles that launched as its own brand last year? Harley wouldn’t have split Livewire into its own brand if there wasn’t promise for success, and the company believes that Livewire will soon be as synonymous with electric motorcycles as Harley-Davidson is with the gas-guzzling type.

In the U.S. and beyond, two- and four-wheeled EV recreation is becoming more visible and more accessible. I’m not just talking about motorcycles. Bicycle riders are investing in e-bikes. Skateboarders are riding electric skateboards to commute to work or to shred some gnarly halfpipes, bro!

The high-profile names pumping out electric products don’t stop with Harley-Davidson. Those bright orange Spin electric scooters you see in major cities? Those are owned by the same company that built your F-150 pickup, my friend.

These companies have huge dollars invested in building out this space, which has led to major innovations and huge growth. In fact, according to our sister brand Motorcycle & Powersports News in a recent article by contributor Steve Piehl, electric scooters are growing in sales at a rate of over 13% per year and will be a $30 billion-market by 2026. The electric bicycle market is expected to grow 78% by 2026. And, as things stand today, the U.S. represents 30% of the world’s electric skateboard market.

Now, there are plenty of ways for consumers and dealers to join in on the opportunities, here. E-bicycles have opened the door for people who are discovering that steep hills and long distances are no problem with the right e-bike, but these products range from high-end mountain bikes to commuter bikes — and everything in between.

E-scooters today are often packed with fun features, far more than you’ll find on the ones consumers rent on the street corner. Some models feature full suspension, built-in LED lights and a high-performance electric motor.

Then you have electric skateboards, made with everything from carbon-fiber boards for performance on- and off-road, to bamboo boards for responsive handling. These long-board-style units do everything a regular skateboard can, just with power added via the hand-held remote control.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Motorcycles, three-wheelers, UTVs, they’re all out there and being electrified, and each presents their own unique opportunities.

Want more EV Impact Show? Click here.

You May Also Like

AMN Drivetime: Continental Tire’s Travis Roffler

Hear Roffler discuss his start in the industry and the passion for automotive that led to his career.

AMN Drivetime Roffler Continental Tire

For many in this industry, the automotive aftermarket is in their blood. They grew up in the business, whether it was wrenching in the summers in high school or hanging out with their parents at their place of work. This was the case for Travis Roffler, who has been the director of marketing of Continental Tire the Americas for almost 18 years and is a tire guy through and through.

Is it time to get excited about V2X EV charging?

Using V2X (bi-directional) charging, fleets could sell energy from their own fleet back to the grid when needed.

Impact-Show-V2x-InCharge-Energy
Tomorrow’s EV adoption depends on today’s charging standards

EV chargers in the U.S. have no comprehensive standards for the installation, operation, or maintenance … for now.

Impact-Featured-Image-EP72 Highway
Is Ford’s EV plan working?

One of Ford’s biggest opportunities for growth and value creation lands in EV sales.

Impact-Featured-Image-EP71-Ford
This is the No. 1 challenge facing EV adoption

Despite EV adoption rates growing, there’s still a lot to learn. Are the top consumer concerns warranted?

Impact-Featured-Image-1400x700-Adoption

Other Posts

NYC DOT proposes expansion of pedal-assist cargo bikes

The proposed rule would expand low- or no-emission options for freight deliveries in NYC.

NYC-stock-skyline
Mark Wilson appointed CFO of Verge Motorcycles

Wilson joins the company with more than 20 years of automotive industry experience.

Mark-Wilson-headshot
How many more miles of EV range can your tires give you?

The right tire could offer an EV as much as a 10% boost in range… but there’s more to this story.

Amped-michelin-1400
Mining CEO explains tungsten’s role in EVs

The CEO of mining company Almonty Industries gives us the latest demand expectations for the rare metal in relation to EVs.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP42-Almonty