The Best Electric Motorcycle in the UK for Everyday Riding
The Maeving RM1S covers up to 80 miles, can charge from any wall socket, and needs no gears or oil changes.
The Maeving RM1S covers up to 80 miles, can charge from any wall socket, and needs no gears or oil changes.
If you are looking for an electric motorcycle in the UK that works for real daily life, not just a test ride around a car park, Maeving's RM1S covers up to 80 miles, charges from a standard wall socket, and requires no gears, no oil changes, and no trips to a petrol station. It is not a compromise on two wheels. It is what motorcycling looks like when you remove everything that made it harder than it needed to be.
"There's nothing quite like the RM1S. Quite simply, the best in its class."
T3 on the RM1S
What "real-world range" actually means
Range is the question everyone asks first, and it is worth answering honestly. The RM1S delivers up to 80 miles combined, or up to 90 miles in Mode 1, which limits speed to 30 mph and stretches every charge as far as it will go. Those figures come from WMTC testing, the same European standard used to measure petrol bikes, so the comparison is genuine.
What affects your actual range day to day: temperature, headwind, gradient, how heavily you load the bike, and how you ride. A smooth throttle hand on a flat urban route will get you close to the figure on the spec sheet. Sustained motorway speeds will not.
Here is the practical read for a commuter: the average UK return commute is under 15 miles. At that rate, a full charge covers a working week without touching the charger. You charge on Sunday night, ride Monday to Friday, and check the battery level the following weekend out of mild curiosity rather than necessity.
Why no gears matters more than you might expect
If you rode years ago, you will remember the muscle memory: clutch, gear, throttle, clutch again, the small friction of every junction. The RM1S is twist and go. Three ride modes selected by a button; no clutch lever, no gear changes, no stalling at traffic lights. The riding position is upright and relaxed.
Charging made easy
The RM1S uses two removable battery packs. You take them out, carry them indoors, and plug them into a charging dock (optional add-on) connected to any household wall socket. Full charge takes six hours. A 20-to-80 per cent top-up takes two and a half hours.
You do not need a wall box. You do not need a driveway. You do not need to arrange a specialist installation. If you can charge a laptop, you can charge a Maeving with the charging dock. For anyone who has been watching the electric vehicle conversation from the outside, wondering whether the infrastructure question would ever be solved in their favour, this is the answer.
The RM1S and RM2 also accept a Type-2 adapter for public charging points, if you want the option.
The maintenance picture
No oil changes. No clutch adjustment. No chain to tension or carburetor to balance. Annual servicing covers the mechanical components that do wear, and Maeving's team comes to you. You do not book the bike into a garage or arrange a day without it. The van arrives, the service happens, and you carry on.
For someone who remembers the Saturday-morning ritual of keeping a petrol bike in good order, this will either feel like a loss or a relief depending on your temperament. The riding is still there. The mechanical admin is not.
The RM2: the same platform, with room for someone else
If your riding life has ever involved a passenger, or might again, the RM2 starts from £7,995 and shares the same motor, battery, and performance figures as the RM1S. The bench pillion seat is designed for comfort over distance, not just regulatory compliance. An optional 30-litre lockable back box fits a helmet and leaves room for whatever else you need. You ride solo on a CBT. Carrying a passenger requires a full motorcycle licence.
Which bike, for which rider
The RM1S offers up to 80 miles of range, up to 70 mph, and a price starting from £7,495 that reflects a considered everyday vehicle rather than an entry-level stopgap. The RM2 suits riders whose daily routine includes a regular passenger, substantial storage, or both.
Either way, the case for an electric motorcycle in the UK has never been more straightforward. The range works. The charging works. The riding is simpler than you remember. What it asks of you is less than you might think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the Maeving RM1S in the UK?
The Maeving RM1S delivers up to 80 miles of combined range on a full charge, or up to 90 miles in Mode 1, which caps speed at 30 mph. Range figures are calculated to WMTC standard and vary depending on riding speed, load, gradient, and temperature.
Do you need a special charger to charge an electric motorcycle at home?
The Maeving RM1S and RM2 use removable battery packs that charge from a standard household wall socket via a charging dock, which is an optional add-on. No wall box or dedicated home infrastructure is needed. A full charge takes six hours; a 20-to-80 per cent top-up takes around two and a half hours.
What licence do you need to ride an electric motorcycle in the UK?
A Compulsory Basic Training certificate (CBT) is all you need to ride a Maeving RM1S or RM2 solo. The CBT course takes one day to complete. Carrying a passenger on the RM2 requires a full motorcycle licence.
How does an electric motorcycle compare to a petrol bike for daily commuting?
For urban and suburban commuting, an electric motorcycle like the Maeving RM1S removes several points of friction: no gears, no clutch, no fuel stops, no oil changes, and charging done overnight from a home socket. At 141 kg, the RM1S is also lighter than many comparable petrol motorcycles, which makes it easier to handle in traffic and at low speeds.