SINGAPORE, Aug 31 — Electric motorcycle companies founded in Singapore are finding faster growth abroad than at home, as high prices, limited battery capacity and slow consumer uptake continue to hold back domestic adoption.

According to CNA, as of July, only 433 electric motorcycles were registered in Singapore — a mere 0.2 per cent of the motorcycle population — even as electric cars have surged past 69,000 units. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) told CNA that electrification of motorcycles remains “at an early stage”, despite Singapore’s broader push toward cleaner vehicles by 2040.

With demand sluggish at home, Singapore firms are expanding into countries where motorcycles are essential daily transport.

  • Kilats, a local electric two‑wheeler startup, has nearly 700 e‑motorcycles operating in Indonesia through Grab, supported by 44 battery‑swapping stations. The company plans to expand further in Indonesia, enter Thailand by year‑end, and move into Vietnam and the Philippines in 2027. Co‑founder Vincent Yap described Singapore as a “springboard” for regional growth rather than a primary market. 
  • Charged Asia has deployed more than 5,000 motorcycles in Indonesia and aims to scale to 300,000 across Southeast Asia in the coming years. It is now eyeing Malaysia as its next market. 
  • Leo Electric explored Nigeria and the Middle East before turning back to Singapore, where it plans to introduce a plug‑in electric motorcycle model by the end of 2026. The company is also considering investments in charging infrastructure. 

Battery‑swapping — popular in Indonesia — has struggled locally. Kilats and Leo Electric say Singapore’s road network and riding patterns require larger, heavier batteries that can sustain high‑speed travel, making small swappable batteries impractical.

Transport economist Walter Theseira noted that swapping works for neighbourhood delivery riders, but not for couriers travelling long distances: “You’ve got to swap basically every couple of hours.”

Analysts also point to low ridership: without enough users, a swapping network cannot reach viable scale.

LTA confirmed that electric motorcycles can legally charge at public EV charging points, clearing up a common misconception.

With swapping unlikely, companies are shifting to plug‑in models that use Singapore’s existing EV charging network. Charged Asia and Leo Electric both plan to launch plug‑in motorcycles locally this year.

Prices are expected to be slightly higher than petrol bikes, but operators say long‑term savings on fuel and maintenance mirror the economics of electric cars.

Companies say the mass market is not ready. Range anxiety, battery lifespan concerns and upfront costs remain major barriers.

Instead, they expect corporate fleets — logistics firms, government agencies, last‑mile delivery operators — to lead adoption over the next two to three years. These riders stand to benefit immediately from lower fuel costs, and businesses face rising pressure to meet sustainability targets.

Charged Asia suggested a “carrot‑and‑stick” policy similar to electric car incentives: penalise polluting motorcycles and subsidise electric ones.

Experts say battery capacity remains the industry’s biggest constraint. Motorcycles cannot carry large batteries without becoming too heavy or expensive.

Still, firms remain optimistic. Leo Electric’s Nicholas Ng said improving technology and falling costs could pave the way for more ambitious electrification targets in the next decade. “Ultimately, every electric vehicle on the road contributes towards Singapore’s sustainability goals.”