Malaysian riders can now go greener with the launch of the country’s first electric-powered motorcycle.
The Modenas CTric is fully powered by a battery which allows travel for as far as 60km on a single charge.
Energy consumption for the environmentally-friendly vehicle, which can hit a top speed of 70kph, is as low as one sen per km.
The motorcycle can be charged using a normal three-pin power point, and the charging time is 3.5 hours for a fast charge and eight hours for a normal charge.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, who launched the CTric yesterday, said the motorcycle had been certified by Sirim, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and also met the Japan Industrial Standard.
“This proves that the local automotive industry can come up with competitive product,” he said in his speech.
Kong said the CTric could be used on the road following the amendment to the Road Transport Act in December to allow the registration of electrical vehicles.
At a press conference later, Kong said there would be no problem obtaining a road tax for the CTric, adding that riders with a B2 licence (motorcycle below 250cc) were qualified to ride the motorcycle.
He added that while there were debates about the electric bicycle, the same issues did not extend to electric motorcycles.
“With the electric bicycles, the questions raised are whether riders are exempted from regulations such as vehicle registration, road tax, insurance, driving licence and age limit.
“Electrical motorcycles follow the same regulations as normal motorcycles, meaning the riders have to wear helmets, buy insurance and pay the road tax,” he said.
Modenas chief executive officer Abd Halim Ismail said the motorcycle was fully developed by Malaysians and targeted urbanites and university students, as they travel between 30 and 50km per day.
He added that the CTric had received interest from Greece, Holland, Korea and Vietnam, with Iran already placing an order.
