The already-ailing electric bike sector faces even tougher times in the near future, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA).
The trade body says that a drastic cliff-edge fall-off in government support is looming, with the current Plug-in Motorcycle Grant (PiMG) scheme due to end in April. That means battery-powered two-wheelers will be the only personal-use mode of transport without any government backing.
Without continued support, the MCIA says, the trade faces a sharp fall in zero-emission electric motorcycle sales, reduced investor and manufacturer confidence, slower progress on congestion and air quality, and increased space within the market for unsafe, illegal e-scooters and e-bikes to proliferate.
The MCIA is now calling for an emergency year-long extension of the current grant, as well as a modernised scheme that reflects market realities, including a review of the current £10,000 price threshold. It also wants to see moped coverage reinstated and eligibility extended to quadricycles and other light vehicles.
MCIA CEO Tony Campbell said: “We are facing a clear and avoidable cliff edge. If the PiMG expires without replacement, our sector will be the only personal use transport mode without support – sending the wrong signal at the wrong time. As a minimum, the government must extend the PiMG for at least another 12 months to provide stability. But this is an opportunity to take a more strategic approach – modernising outdated thresholds, reinstating mopeds and recognising the role of L6 and L7 vehicles in urban logistics and local mobility.
“This is not about subsidy for its own sake. This is about making proportionate, evidence-led policy choices that deliver growth, confidence and cleaner cities.”