Felicity Bradstock
Felicity Bradstock is a writer and journalist based in Mexico City. She writes for energy websites and covers several other industries, as well as writing…
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By Felicity Bradstock – Sep 06, 2026, 2:00 PM CDT
- Electric two-wheeler sales are surging in markets such as Pakistan and Vietnam as high fuel costs improve the economics of going electric.
- Chinese manufacturers, subsidies, and battery-swapping systems are making electric motorcycles more accessible across Asia and Africa.
- Major manufacturers such as Honda and VinFast are expanding their electric motorcycle businesses as demand accelerates.
While electric car and truck sales have grown more slowly than expected in recent years, prompting governments to rethink clean fuel targets and automakers to slow the pace of EV production, electric motorcycles are becoming increasingly popular in certain parts of the world. Two-wheel vehicles have long been popular in busy cities and low-income countries, and now, largely due to rising fuel prices, many are investing in electric two-wheelers.
The United States-Israeli attacks on Iran in February, which led to the ongoing Iran War and spurred the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have driven oil and gas prices up sharply in recent months. Many countries have faced energy shortages, and everyone has been forced to pay a premium to access much-needed fuel. This has hit some regions of the world harder than others, disproportionately affecting low-income countries.
Some of the most affected markets, such as those in Southeast Asia and Africa, have long used motorcycles as a low-cost means of navigating crowded cities. While the electric version of these vehicles is generally more expensive than petrol-powered ones, they can be cheaper and more reliable to run in the long term, given the volatility of fossil fuel prices. As it is often cheaper now to charge a battery than to fill a fuel tank, many people are making the switch.
In Pakistan, motorbikes make up about 80 per cent of vehicles on the road. E-motorcycles were rarely seen just a few years ago, but the trend has grown in popularity, with new brands entering the market every week. Models from around 84 companies are now available in Pakistan. The rise in popularity has given way to small startups, backed by venture capital, as well as traditional electric vehicle (EV) makers.
The sale of electric two-wheelers rose by 173 per cent in Pakistan in the first half of the year, according to market-intelligence firm Motorcycles Data. In addition to the rise in oil prices, which has driven demand, government subsidies have also supported the trend. Many of the motorcycles being sold in Pakistan come from China, although some companies are fitting domestically produced motorbikes with Chinese motors.
In Vietnam, where motorcycles have long been popular due to heavy congestion, automakers are seeing electric two-wheeler sales soar. The establishment of a low-emission zone in Hanoi’s city centre, which restricts the use of gasoline-powered motorcycles on weekends, is driving uptake in the capital. Vietnam’s VinFast saw record e-motorcycle order volumes in the first quarter of 2026. VinFast delivered 143,136 electric motorbikes and e-bikes in the first three months of the year, up by 219 per cent from the same period in 2025.
In July, Japan’s Honda Motor announced plans to begin production of its UC3 electric motorcycle in Vietnam starting this year. Honda is expected to develop production facilities in the northern province of Phu Tho. Honda’s Vietnam’s general director, Sayaka Arai, stated, “The trend toward electrification among consumers is moving forward more than expected.” She added that higher fuel prices, driven by the ongoing war in Iran, have further accelerated consumer interest in electric scooters and motorcycles.
The wider availability of more affordable Chinese EVs has driven uptake in recent years. More Chinese brands have opened stores selling e-motorcycles and other EVs across Asia and Africa, helping to drive up sales. Some Chinese companies have partnered with local firms to adapt their EVs for the local market to further boost demand.
The Chinese electric bike maker TAILG partnered with Ghanaian battery-swapping operator Kofa to develop the TK90 electric motorcycle, which is tailored exclusively for the African market. The duo created the TK90 with a swappable lithium battery and reduced the motorcycle’s operating costs by around 30 per cent. The model is now available in Kenya and Tanzania.
TAILG is also developing a solar-powered three-wheeler with over 25 per cent power generation efficiency. It is currently testing solar panels on outdoor battery swap cabinets across Africa. The rollout of these units could enable consumers to use an e-motorcycle in regions not yet equipped with sufficient charging infrastructure. The lack of charging points has been a major bottleneck to EV uptake in some countries, such as Kenya, where consumers have been deterred from investing in e-motorcycles for fear they cannot charge them in many areas.
In addition to their rising popularity in low-income countries, e-motorcycles are also gaining traction in certain market segments in other parts of the world. In California, e-motorcycles, e-scooters, and e-mopeds have become more popular among teenagers seeking access to cleaner, low-cost transportation. Sales have been steadily growing since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sale of e-motorcycles is expected to continue to rise as a broader range of models becomes available, and consumers increasingly look to switch to cleaner modes of transportation. The trend is also being driven by the volatility in oil and gas prices, with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East demonstrating how an overreliance on fossil fuels can threaten energy security.
By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com
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Felicity Bradstock
Felicity Bradstock is a writer and journalist based in Mexico City. She writes for energy websites and covers several other industries, as well as writing…
