In the bad old days of the 1990s they were regularly torched in batches or used for drive-by shootings. Today, thankfully, like a demonic plague of two-stroke mosquitoes, they keep the city on the move.

You could argue that next to casinos, the humble motorcycle is the territory’s most ubiquitous item. But as Macau strives to burnish its environmental credentials, it is electric motorcycles that are making all the buzz.

At the forefront of the technology in Macau is JJ (Macao) Ltd, a designer and manufacturer ready to bring electric motorcycles to the territory.

The company’s chief executive Paul Tung Cheuk tells Macau Business that, in addition to the official commitment to promoting environmental protection, factors including rising public awareness about the environment, the upsurge of green energy and fluctuations in international oil prices have accelerated global demand for electric vehicles worldwide. That has pushed automobile manufacturers towards the development of hybrid vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“However, hybrid vehicles only go as far as required by the Kyoto Protocol and further reductions are required, with the Holy Grail being zero emissions,” he says.

Carbon control

According to research conducted by Beijing Normal University’s Institute of Economics and Resource Management, the development of ecological and environmental protection industries would help Macau build a positive image and enhance competitiveness.

The city has the perfect starting point. Its core and dominant industry, gaming, does not leave a huge carbon footprint. The city is in pole position in the race to create a low-carbon economy.

That is why JJ (Macao) is preparing for the launch of the eRider in the territory. The electric motorcycle designed and produced by the company has passed testing and should sell for less than MOP20,000, including a two-year warranty and ongoing maintenance.

JJ (Macao) is the local arm of PortaPower Group, a developer of electric vehicles from research to production since 2003. The group has offices in Hong Kong and Macau, with production carried out in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Panyu and Hunan.

Macau will act as a test market for the company, which has plans to take the eRider global. “Hong Kong is our next target,” says Mr Tung.

Customers in Europe and the United States are also testing the company’s products and there are indications they may cooperate in developing the eRider, he says.

This is the second generation of vehicles the company has produced. The first generation of electric vehicles had a range of between 70 km and 90 km powered by mixed lithium and lead-acid batteries.

The second generation uses eco-friendly lithium batteries, which cut the vehicle’s range but produce no emissions. Each set of lithium batteries can be charged 1,700 times and cover a total distance of about 50,000 km. After this they retain 80 percent of their capacity.

Plug in and go

The company plans to operate a “plug-and-run” battery replacement system where customers can exchange run-down batteries for fully charged batteries that can be used immediately.

“We will establish several charging stations in Macau. The first will be on Areia Preta,” says Mr Tung.

“People who choose battery rental need only pay a deposit for each battery they get. After paying the monthly service charge for battery maintenance and exchange, owners can have unlimited battery changes within the contract period.”

Although a decision is still pending, it is understood the government will exempt the eRider from import tax, and that it is also considering waiving motor vehicle taxes for electric vehicles in the interest of environmental protection.

A battery-powered future

Electric two-wheelers, including electric bicycles and motorcycles, will spread rapidly over the next several years, according to a recent report from Pike Research. The market research and consulting firm estimates worldwide sales of electric two-wheel vehicles will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4 percent between now and 2016.

“While electric two-wheel vehicles tend to be a lifestyle choice in North America and much of Western Europe, in the developing world they’re used more as primary means of transportation,” said industry analyst Dave Hurst.

“Rising incomes and increased urbanisation are driving the need for, and the ability to purchase, reliable transportation and electric two-wheel vehicles fill a growing niche.”

Battery improvements that extend the range and speed of the vehicles, Mr Hurst added, will also hasten adoption of e-motorcycles and e-scooters.

However, lukewarm perceptions and a lack of infrastructure could combine to slow growth. In many markets, people regard e-bikes and e-scooters as old technology, lacking the prestige of electric automobiles. And while government-funded incentives for electric two-wheel vehicles are becoming more common, the infrastructure required for the safety of low-speed electric vehicles, such as separate lanes, is often an afterthought for government officials, particularly in developing countries.

The report says that while the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the mainland, will continue to account for the vast majority of electric two-wheel vehicle sales for several years, the fastest growth will occur in the Middle East (54 percent CAGR), Latin America (30 percent), and North America (24 percent).