We try out e-mopeds as a commuting option.

Don't know where to start? Here's our guide to buying an e-motorbike.

Motorbikes with engines no bigger than 50cc and a top speed of 50kmh are classed as mopeds and can be ridden on a car licence (even a learner’s).

This licence category has expanded in the past few years to include electric options as well. Due to the speed limits, they are suitable only for commutes that don’t involve motorway-speed roads, or even 70km/h sections.

Online is a good place to start looking for makes and models. After that, local motorcycle dealers should be your next stop. Often they will have demo bikes, as well as after-sales support and servicing, and access to parts if necessary.

Be wary of buying directly from Trade Me sellers. Do your research about the bike first because after-sales support can be non-existent.

They are easy to ride – you just twist the throttle and go. No gears to worry about, no oil to top up, no fuel to spill over your best pants.

They are no more expensive than decent e-bikes.

They are cheap to run (the typical cost per kilometre is less than 1¢)

Electric mopeds are larger and more visible than e-bikes, with headlights and indicators.

Little maintenance is required (just tyres and brake pads).

They can be more expensive to purchase than a petrol-powered moped.

You can’t use bike racks – and some cities require you to park in designated motorcycle zones.

You won’t be able to ride in bicycle lanes or paths.

Legally, you need to wear a full helmet (not just a bicycle helmet) and, ideally, you’ll have other protective gear, such as gloves.

You’ll pay rego costs of $163.96 each year.

You’ll need access to a power point to charge; some bikes have removeable batteries but others don’t.

We try out e-mopeds as a commuting option.

You might not recognise the brands that make electric motorbikes. The Yamahas, Hondas and Kawasakis of this world have yet to step into the market (despite some of them making e-bikes and e-bike motors), so the small players are all that are currently available here.

We can’t comment on the reliability of e-mopeds from these young brands. However, there is far less to go wrong with an electric motorcycle and many of the all-important motors are manufactured by well-known companies such as Bosch.

Protect yourself using the following:

What else do you need?

E-motorcycles are relatively easy to get started on, but there are still skills to be learned, to stay safe on our increasingly congested roads:

Find the right e-bike to get you zooming from A to B.

This site uses cookies to help us understand how visitors engage with our website. By using Consumer NZ, you accept our use of cookies.

Get even more Consumer NZ news and invitations to share your voice on important issues straight to your inbox.

Opt in to receive updates on:

By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can opt out at anytime.

Sorry, you need to have JavaScript enabled to use our website. Visit enable-javascript.com to learn how to enable JavaScript for your browser.

Or visit our Technical support page to find out how JavaScript is used on Consumer.