Royal Enfield goes electric and Harley-Davidson does scooters
Quite possibly the largest motorcycle trade show in Europe, Milan’s Esposizione Internazionale del Ciclo (EICMA, for short) brings together the great and the good of the two-wheeled world.
From the largest motorcycle manufacturers on the planet to clothing brands and equipment suppliers from brands you’ve likely never heard of. As a result, it’s the perfect place to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the motorcycling world and ogle the latest high-performance sports bikes.
But in recent years, there has been an increasing lean towards electrification, with many of the most recognized brands understanding that they can’t escape the inevitable switch to battery propulsion.
This year was no different. Amongst the vast swathes of obscure Chinese manufacturers, big names like Royal Enfield, Honda, Zero Motorcycles, and Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire brand were busy showing off upcoming concepts and plans for future electric machines.Royal Enfield Flying Flea
Grabbing all of the attention by hosting its own event on the eve of EICMA opening, Royal Enfield announced the arrival of its Flying Flea all-electric sub-brand. That’s right, one of the oldest motorcycle makers is going electric, and it’s doing it in a big way.
Details on the diminutive Flying Flea C6 were scant, despite the fact it takes inspiration from a lightweight World War 2 motorcycle that was dropped from a plane and into action during the 1940s and that it will offer a range of around 150km (93 miles).
It is designed to open up fuss-free riding to a new audience with its city-slicking proportions and advanced infotainment system. It is slated to go on sale in 2026, with a scrambler-style S6 model due shortly afterward.
Although Royal Enfield will count Zero Motorcycles and even Maeving as key rivals, the company has always prioritized affordability. It claims that by developing its electric propulsion system in-house and controlling the supply chain, it will maintain value for money.Zero XE and XB
It looks as if Zero Motorcycles wants a slice of the electrified off-road action with the unveiling of its X line of compact, silent scramblers. Riding the success of Sur-Ron and Stark Future, two companies that produce ultra-lightweight and face-meltingly fast electric bikes, the Zero X range aims to offer cheap, accessible thrills to more.
The XB is smaller and offers around 10hp from its motor and 2.4kWh battery pack. Its top speed is limited to 28mph, and it will run for around three hours on a single charge, although Zero claims both bikes will be street-legal.
The XE is a larger, heavier, and altogether more potent machine.
