Origins of the Electric Motorcycle: A Brief History Lesson
- Buck City Biker
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
When most people think of electric motorcycles, they picture sleek, modern machines like the Insork EM77, Aokee ER6 or the Yadea Kemper. But hold onto your handlebars, because the story of battery-powered two-wheelers goes way back—further than you might expect!
Picture this: the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when the world was buzzing with innovation and creativity. While the roar of internal combustion engines began to replace steam power, there were daring inventors who envisioned a different future—one powered by electricity! Join us on a whimsical deep dive into the first electric two-wheelers and how they set the stage for today’s e-motorcycles.
The First Electric Bicycle: Ogden Bolton Jr.’s 1895 Patent
One of the earliest known electric bicycles was patented by Ogden Bolton Jr. in 1895. His design was way ahead of its time, featuring a rear hub-mounted electric motor powered by a DC battery system and a rear brake. Bolton must have been pretty clued up because this patent was simple yet clearly effective, correctly predicting many of the key elements of modern e-bikes and e-motorcycles. Either that, or we've come full circle back to our starting point.
Technical Specifications of Bolton’s Electric Bicycle:
• Motor: Direct current (DC) electric motor, mounted in the rear wheel hub.
• Power: Up to 100 amperes at 10 volts, which suggests a power capacity of 1,000 watts (1 kW)—comparable to modern e-bikes.
• Battery: A six-pole brush-and-commutator system, though the exact chemistry of the battery is unknown (likely lead-acid).
• Design: A conventional bicycle frame of the time, with the battery mounted below the frame top-bar.
Libbey’s Dual-Motor Electric Bicycle (1897)
Just a few years after Bolton’s patent, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston introduced another ambitious electric bicycle design. What set it apart was its dual-motor system, a genius innovation that anticipated later developments in electric propulsion.
Technical Specifications of Libbey’s Electric Bicycle:
• Motor: Two electric motors housed inside the crankset, driving the rear wheel with solid ram-arms.
• Battery: Stored in the main frame. This battery looks quite substantial.
• Practicality: There's no indication where the riders feet would go, and we can't see any suggestion of brakes, so maybe the legs stayed raised and splayed, ready to hit the deck for rapid de-acceleration.
We can't find any evidence that Libbey’s design was widely produced, but his idea of placing motors in the crank area is intuitive and very similar to the modern mid-drive motors that can be found on many pedal-assist e-bikes. These motors optimise weight distribution and efficiency.
Humber Company Electric Tandem Bike (1897)
Why not get your pillions working for you? The tandem bike was a popular instrument of the late 1800s. The Humber Company decided to shake things up with their electric version of the bicycle-made-for-two. Don't be fooled by its elongated frame and apparent inability to turn on a dime. The Humber electric tandem bike was a competition powerhouse.
The Race to Remember
Rumor has it that this e-bike made its grand debut in the legendary Bol d’Or bike race in Paris, France, serving as a lead pacemaker.
Equipped with an epic-for-the-time 750-watt motor, this ride could hit speeds of 40 mph (64 km/h)! That’s carrying two grown men. However, their attempts to pedal in perfect harmony surely added to the overall performance.
J. Schnepf Automobile (1898)
In 1898, a U.S. patent by John Schnepf illustrated a friction “roller-wheel” positioned above the rear rim. This bicycle demonstrates the challenges of technological advancement but also serves as a remarkable example of creativity. Reversing this system essentially creates a friction dynamo, similar to those we used in the '70s and '80s to power our lights.
The First Electric Motorcycle (1911)
By the early 20th century, inventors had started experimenting with fully motorised two-wheelers, leading to the development of the first electric motorcycle. A 1911 issue of Popular Mechanics showcased an early electric motorcycle prototype.
Technical Specifications of the 1911 Electric Motorcycle:
• Motor: Electric (likely DC-powered).
• Range: 75 to 100 miles per charge, depending on terrain—an impressive figure even by today’s standards!
• Speed: Unknown.
This early electric motorcycle proved that battery-powered two-wheelers were not only possible but also practical for everyday transportation. Unfortunately, we can't find a picture.
Philips & Simplex Electric Bike (1932)
This 1932 photograph features a Philips & Simplex electric bicycle, characterised by a sturdy steel frame and what appears to be a lead-acid battery. Additionally, it includes a front headlight, a bell, seat suspension, and appropriate fenders. A motor with an attached gearbox is also visible just beneath the rider's seat.
Ransomes’ Electric Motorcycle (1920)
Starting in 1920, the British company Ransomes Products, known today for manufacturing electric forklifts, ventured into the production of electric motorcycles. Their model resembled a sidecar rig and was available to the public. While specific technical details are scarce, this initiative marked Ransomes' transition into developing various electric-powered industrial vehicles, including mining cars and lorries.
The Douglas Pidcock 1922/1942 Electric Motorcycle
In 2015, there was an eBay listing for a Douglas Pidcock 1922 e-motorcycle that had been somewhat restored. What an amazing-looking racer. It showed a low-slung, race-stance road rocket that was clearly designed for maximum speed and minimal wind resistance. An 18-volt motorcycle, with 3x6 volt lead-acid batteries.
According to the eBay listing, it was originally built from a Douglas 2 3/4 frame, then modified with Mr. Pidcock's own parts, some of which were from BSA. Mr. Pidcock converted the motorcycle, using it for a daily commute to work at an engineering company in Peterborough during the time of petrol rationing (1942/3).
Max speed: 18 miles/hr. Speed seems to be selected by a lever with 3 positions 6v, 12v and 18v and the clutch lever operating a Lucas solenoid switch to bring in the motor. The motor is reportedly a Morris lorry starter motor.
Socovel’s Electric Motorcycle (1941)
Similar in frame concept to the Pidcock, the Socovel had a sleek design that we'd be proud to take for a cruise today. Fat tyres must have made for a better ride, as would have the front and rear suspension.
During World War II, fuel rationing in occupied Europe prompted innovative transportation solutions. In Belgium, the Socovel company, led by the Limelette brothers, developed a compact electric motorcycle to address fuel shortages. The first prototype debuted in January 1941, featuring:
• Motor: 1 horsepower electric motor
• Battery: Three 6-volt, 45 ampere-hour batteries housed in a central trunk
• Range: Approximately 30 miles (48km) range per charge
• Speed: Between 15 -20mph (24-32km/h)
• Weight: Total weight around 75kg (165lbs)
• Charging Time: Approximately 10 hours for a full recharge
Notably, despite German interest in utilising these motorcycles for airfield operations, Socovel resisted supplying the occupying forces. Approximately 400 units were produced during the period.
Merle Williams’ Electric Motorcycle (1940s)
In the United States, amidst fuel shortages during the 1940s, Merle Williams engineered an electric motorcycle featuring a single-wheeled trailer. His wife, Peggy, utilised this vehicle for local errands in Long Beach, California. The motorcycle’s practicality led to increased local demand, prompting Williams to commence production in his garage. This grassroots effort eventually evolved into the Legend Electric Vehicle Company, which later specialized in manufacturing aircraft tow motors.
Legacy and Impact
These early designs laid the foundation for modern electric motorcycles and e-bikes. While the technology of the time limited their commercial success, the concepts of hub motors, mid-drive motors, and long-range batteries all originated from these early experiments.
Today, electric motorcycles like the Zero SR/F and Harley-Davidson LiveWire boast high-powered motors, lightweight lithium-ion batteries, and performance that rivals gas-powered bikes. But it all started with inventors like Ogden Bolton Jr. and Hosea Libbey, who dared to imagine a world of silent, electric-powered two-wheelers over a century ago.
Ride safe, folks.
