It doesn’t take too much following tech news to know that electric vehicles are starting to make some major waves in the marketplace. Even though electric car sales comprise only about 1 percent of U.S. sales annually, more and more car companies are putting greater effort into developing new electric models. It may take a few years and a couple more breakthroughs in technology, but electric cars are well on their way to the mainstream.
But it isn’t just electric cars that are making their way to center stage. In fact, a different electric vehicle will probably make even bigger waves within its own industry: the electric motorcycle.
Today, many experts and enthusiasts argue that electric motorcycles might actually already be better than their gas-guzzling counterparts. With new advancements in technology becoming a reality every day, it may not be long before the majority of the motorcycle industry has given up on gas machines altogether and put all their efforts into electric models.
Going Electric?
Overall, going electric might not be such a bad idea. There are a lot of very real benefits to an electric vehicle, including how many people that drive them are thoroughly pleased with their long-term cost savings on things like gasoline, oil changes, and expensive combustion engine repairs. Many are also enthralled with how quiet electric vehicles are in comparison to their gas or diesel-powered counterparts.
Given the fact that there are all sorts of federal and state tax credits available, it can actually be financially worthwhile to either purchase or lease an electric vehicle. For instance, the federal government may offer somewhere between $2,500 and $7,500 in tax credits for the purchase of a fully electric car. States such as California, Oregon, Massachusetts, or Maine (among others) also offer incentives that further drive down the price.
Of course, there is some level of debate regarding the actual environmental benefits of electric vehicles. The energy required to create the batteries that power them is substantial, and definitely requires further refinement and technological improvements. Others argue that plugging your car into the grid is every bit as bad as guzzling gas because the bulk of our energy production still comes from oil and gas. Although these concerns are valid, advances in technology and a growing clean energy sector will help to alleviate them over time.
Electric Bike Revolution
There are far fewer major concerns or debates when it comes to the electric motorcycle in particular. Experts are convinced that electric motorcycles are the future of the industry, and that over the next few decades, technology will reach a point where the combustion engine motorcycle is more or less obsolete. A few reasons they believe this so wholeheartedly are:
- Electric motorcycles have instant torque and power. These machines are able to gain speed rapidly because they do not need to spool up or shift gears like a traditional combustion engine motorcycle does. Electric motorcycles already consistently take top spots in major races such as the Pikes Peak hill climb race.
- The machines are less maintenance. Anything without a traditional combustion engine is going to require a lot less mechanical care just based on the fact that there are fewer parts working together to make the thing run. More often than not, the necessary engine updates can be completed much like a software update on your computer.
- Boost comfort. As with electric cars, electric motorcycles are quiet. This means no more having to yell to hear yourself think over the loud engines. Definitely an improvement for your hearing. The electric engine also limits the amount of vibration in the machine and there is no risk of burning your leg on a hot part, increasing the comfort of the ride.
Although most companies are still working on developing a flagship electric bike, there are a few really great ones on the market already. Of course, with major advances in battery technologies coming down the pipeline, it is almost certain that even the best bike will be outdated in a relatively short amount of time.
Future Implications
As we become more and more of a technological society, our use of energy will continue to go up. Electric vehicles, especially motorcycles, offer a means of capitalizing on lower carbon dioxide production. As the use of renewable energies becomes a larger component of our energy system, the benefits of driving an electric vehicle are likely to continue to increase.
There are certainly fears that as the world becomes more sustainable, many important industries and the jobs that come with them will be lost. However, rather than focusing on these negatives, it is imperative to realize that these positions will be replaced with ones that are essential to the new system. For instance, mechanical engineers will be in high demand for their ability to work on the complex components of an electric vehicle.
Going into the future, electric vehicles are likely to improve their travel-between-charge distances and general overall performance. Advances in technology will come about that make the electric motorcycle as well as the electric car an easier and more affordable choice. It may not seem like it now, but these industries are growing every day and it won’t be long before we all start to see the impacts.