Petrol bikes have ruled the road for over a century. Their rumbling engines, throaty exhausts, and raw mechanical feel are stitched into biking’s DNA. From weekend blasts through the dales to long-haul adventures across Europe, the soundtrack of motorcycling has always been petrol.
But times are changing. Governments are tightening emissions targets, cities are clamping down on air quality, and big manufacturers are pouring money into electric technology. By 2026, the motorbike market will look very different, with electric models finally stepping out of the shadows.
So how do these upcoming electric bikes fit into a petrol-dominated world? Can they really shine? And what does this mean for riders, resale values, and the future of biking?
Let’s dive in.
Why Petrol Still Dominates
Before we get carried away with shiny prototypes and futuristic promises, it’s worth asking why petrol still rules the roads in 2025.
- Heritage and culture: Motorcycling is more than transport. It’s a lifestyle, a brotherhood, and a sound that rattles your bones. A Ducati Panigale’s scream or a Harley’s lazy thump is part of the identity. Electric bikes, for now, lack that history.
- Practicality: Petrol bikes still win hands down on range and refuelling. You can fill up anywhere in minutes and get hundreds of miles out of a tank. Compare that with charging an electric battery for 30 minutes to several hours.
- Choice: From £500 commuters to £50,000 superbikes, petrol covers the entire spectrum. Electric still has limited options.
Petrol bikes aren’t disappearing overnight. They’ll dominate the roads for years. But electric bikes are no longer just concepts — they’re here, and they’re getting better fast.
The Wave of Electric Motorbikes Arriving by 2026
Manufacturers are no longer dabbling in electric for press releases — they’re committing to production. By 2026, expect the UK market to have a solid line-up of electric bikes.
Harley-Davidson LiveWire Del Mar
Harley shocked the world when they went electric, and the LiveWire Del Mar takes that further. Stripped back, stylish, and aimed squarely at urban riders, it’s designed to tempt younger bikers who might never have considered Harley before. Expect serious torque, agile handling, and a bike that feels nothing like its petrol stablemates.
Kawasaki Ninja E-1 and Z E-1
Kawasaki is rolling out learner-friendly electrics in the form of the Ninja E-1 and Z E-1. These are designed for new riders, commuters, and anyone navigating the city daily. They may not have huge range, but they’re light, easy to handle, and tap straight into the demand for affordable electric options.
Image Source: Kawasaki
Zero Motorcycles SR/F
Zero is the name most bikers know when it comes to electric power. The SR/F is already a serious contender with proper performance and decent range. By 2026, it could set the benchmark for what an electric superbike looks like.
Image Source: AutoTrader
Triumph TE-1 Successor
Triumph’s TE-1 prototype got everyone talking. A British icon reimagined for the electric age, it promises instant torque and Triumph’s trademark style. The successor is expected to hit the market in the next couple of years, and it could finally put a heritage brand at the forefront of the electric game.
Image Source: Triumph
Spotlight on Stark Future: The Brand Everyone’s Watching
If one company is pushing hardest to make electric bikes exciting, it’s Stark Future. Based in Barcelona but making waves across Europe, they’ve already disrupted motocross with the Varg. Now, they’re turning their attention to street and adventure bikes.
The Stark Varg EX
The Varg EX is a game-changer. Built as an enduro bike with road legality, it combines brutal off-road power with everyday usability.
- Power: Up to 80bhp in Alpha trim — more than most 450cc petrol enduros.
- Battery: 7.2kWh pack offering up to 6 hours of trail riding (depending on how hard you twist the throttle).
- Weight: Around 120kg, making it competitive with petrol enduros.
- Street-legal: Lights, indicators, number plate — this isn’t just a track toy.
- Ride modes: Adjustable power curves and regenerative braking.
It’s an enduro that can commute. That’s something petrol hasn’t quite nailed in the same way.
Image Source: Ultimate Motorcycling
Rumoured Stark Adventure: The ALG
The crown jewel in their road-bike ambitions is a model currently codenamed ALG — Swedish for “elk” — which is being positioned as an electric adventure bike designed to square off against the 800cc class.
Where most electric adventure bikes aim to replace lower-capacity off-road machines, ALG is aiming higher: Stark is reportedly targeting 50 % more power than current benchmarks, while simultaneously cutting weight. Charge times are ambitiously promised to be “as fast as you can drink a cup of coffee,” and range is cast as more than practical riders will ever need between stops.
Design cues are said to lean into the “rally / 450 rally” aesthetic rather than heavy, bulky touring behemoths. Expect slim lines, aggressive fairings, and a machine that visually bridges the gap between offroad agility and road-travel capability. But for all the hype, much remains speculative. No firm specs, pricing, or release timeline have been confirmed. ALG is still in the “leak / tease” phase — though with Stark’s transparency (via its “Stark Files” and media statements) it’s clear they want the world to know this is coming.
Stark’s Street Bike: The LO Project
The company recently confirmed that a new street-focused machine is in the works, codenamed LO – a nod to the Swedish word for “lynx.” Much like its wild namesake, this bike is being teased as fast, agile, and very much a predator in its environment.
What makes the LO project so intriguing is Stark’s uncompromising ambition. The brand has stated outright that its street range won’t just be “good for an electric bike” – it aims to outperform petrol rivals outright. That means more power, sharper handling, and better real-world usability than comparable ICE bikes. Big words, but if the Varg’s success is anything to go by, Stark has form when it comes to overdelivering.
Details remain scarce, but we do know the LO is part of a much broader roadmap. Alongside the adventure-orientated AALG and the supermoto-ready VARG SM, the LO will help Stark carve out a proper multi-bike line-up. Vertical integration is their strategy – building engines, batteries, and software in-house to stay lean and in control. It’s a bold move in a market where most players still lean heavily on third-party suppliers.
No word yet on price tags, release dates, or hard specs, but one thing’s clear: Stark isn’t messing about. The LO project represents a serious push to redefine what riders expect from a street bike – and if it delivers, it could be a tipping point in how the biking world views electrics.
Partnerships with Royal Enfield
Perhaps most interesting is Stark’s collaboration with Royal Enfield. A brand steeped in heritage teaming up with an electric disruptor shows just how seriously the industry is taking electrification. A Royal Enfield-branded electric roadster or commuter by 2026 is very much on the cards.
Other Players in the Electric Scene
It’s not just the big names and Stark. Several smaller brands are making electric bikes appealing to UK riders:
- Maeving – A Coventry-based startup producing stylish, commuter-friendly electric bikes with removable batteries you can charge at home. Their retro-inspired designs have already built a loyal following.
- Super Soco – Affordable electrics aimed at commuters and learners. Not glamorous, but practical.
- BMW CE 02 and CE 04 – Technically scooters, but BMW’s electric range shows how big manufacturers are thinking beyond petrol in urban mobility.
Where Electric Bikes Outshine Petrol
Let’s give electric bikes credit where it’s due:
- Torque on demand: Twist and go. Instant acceleration is addictive.
- Running costs: Pennies per mile, minimal servicing, and no oil changes.
- Urban freedom: Electric bikes dodge ULEZ charges, congestion fees, and road tax. Perfect for city riders.
- Tech appeal: Many come with built-in connectivity, GPS, and app integration. They feel futuristic in a way petrol bikes don’t.
Where They Still Struggle
Of course, electric isn’t perfect:
- Range: Long rides are still petrol territory. A tank will always outlast a battery for now.
- Charging: Waiting half an hour or more isn’t the same as a two-minute refuel.
- Price: Most electrics cost more upfront, even if running costs are lower.
- Resale worries: Rapid tech advancements could make today’s electric bikes outdated tomorrow.
What This Means for Resale
Resale values will be fascinating to watch.
- Petrol bikes may actually rise in value as restrictions bite. Classic and rare models could become future collectibles.
- Electric bikes will develop a clearer second-hand market by 2026. Learner electrics will hold value due to demand, while premium models depend on battery health and brand reputation.
- Timing matters: Selling an early electric model before the next generation lands could save you from depreciation.
At SellYourBikeToday.com, we’re gearing up for both worlds. Whether it’s a thumping superbike or the latest electric commuter, we’ll give you a fair, honest valuation.
Petrol and Electric: Not Enemies, Just Different
Petrol bikes aren’t disappearing. They’ll remain the heartbeat of biking culture for decades. But electric bikes will carve out their own niche — urban commuters, adventure riders willing to embrace change, and tech-hungry younger bikers.
Think of it like vinyl and Spotify. One’s tactile and nostalgic, the other’s modern and convenient. Both have a place. Both serve different riders.
The Road Ahead
By 2026, electric bikes will no longer be novelties. They’ll be part of the biking landscape, with real options for learners, commuters, and performance junkies alike. Petrol will still dominate, but the balance will shift.
For bikers, this means more choice than ever. Do you stick with the roar of petrol, or embrace the silence and torque of electric? Either way, one thing’s certain: the future of biking is going to be exciting.
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