Electric Mopeds Are Coming: Munro Motor Launches Battery-Powered Bikes

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

The race between automakers may be heating up when it comes to electric cars with self-driving capabilities, but manufacturers are looking for ways to expand on things that can be battery powered. Case in point, Munro Motor, a Chinese manufacturer, revealed its plans for an electric moped for North America at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). 

Two-wheeled vehicles that use electric powertrains may not be popular in the United States, but battery-powered scooters and mopeds are in other parts of the world, including Asia and Europe. Munro Motor hopes to change that with the Munro 2.0. 

While one could argue about the differences between motorcycles and mopeds, as well as scooters, it's clear to see that Munro Motor looks to corner the two-wheeled battery-powered segment with a moped that has the same styling as a motorcycle. And the manufacturer has chosen a retro look from the iconic motorcycle maker Indian. 

The electric moped is powered by an electric motor from Bosch that gives the machine a top speed of 28 mph. While the manufacturer didn't state what kind of power the electric motor puts out, the two-wheeled machine should be able to be used on the majority of streets and in urban environments. 

The Munro 2.0 may even be able to be used in bicycle lanes, as some states allow mopeds to share the bike lane with other riders. How self-driving cars cohabitate with bicycles still remains to be seen, though.  

Enough Range For City Dwellers

The moped, which doesn't have any pedals and weighs approximately 77 pounds, has a removable battery pack. Two battery packs can be powering the Munro 2.0 at the same time, giving the moped, according to the company, a range of roughly 60 miles. The company claims that each battery pack provides the machine with 30 miles of range on a single charge. 

In hopes of reaching out to younger individuals that always need to be connected, the battery packs have a USB port that allows riders to charge their cell phones. 

Retro And Comfortable

The old-school styling is sure to be a hit, as the majority of mopeds on the road look the same. The paint, according to Digital Trends, will surely be an attention getter, as all of the components are finished in a UV-protected clear coat. Besides its great looks, the Munro 2.0 will also provide riders with a plush ride thanks to the shock absorbers on the front and rear end. 

The battery-powered bicycle is on sale in China and goes for $800-$1,200 depending on the configuration. When the electric moped becomes available in the US later this year, it will carry a price tag of approximately $1,700. 

Motorcycle enthusiasts will notice the manufacturer's name, Munro Motor, which came from a New Zealand motorcycle racer, Burt Munro, who set a speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats on top of a modified Indian motorcycle, reports Digital Trends. 

Munro Motor's founder, Zack Wong, isn't concerned about setting world records, though, as he is aiming at decreasing the amount of motorbikes that emit harmful pollutants in Asia. With China becoming one of the largest markets for new-energy vehicles, the Munro 2.0 will definitely be a hit in its hometown, but only time will tell if American buyers are interested in a battery-powered two-wheeler. 

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods