Driven by the rapid development of the new energy market and the promotion of oil-to-electricity policies, Southeast Asian motorcycle brands are actively entering the electric motorcycle segment, showing enthusiasm for collaborating with international manufacturers, including Chinese companies, or launching new models through independent design. According to a report by Nikkei Asia Review on the 22nd, Singaporean electric motorcycle startup Scorpio Electric has teamed up with Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to launch a new electric motorcycle in Southeast Asia, marking an intensifying competition in the region’s electric motorcycle market.

Since its establishment in 2017 in Singapore, Scorpio Electric has leveraged China’s manufacturing prowess for growth, given Singapore’s lack of a domestic automotive industry. The company has set up offices in Singapore and Shenzhen, BYD’s headquarters, to harness BYD’s technological advantages, reduce costs, and achieve a more scalable business model. The responsible person of Scorpio Electric said that although the Southeast Asian electric motorcycle market is still in its infancy, it has vast development prospects and will become an important battleground for electric motorcycle manufacturers.
Asia accounts for more than half of the global motorcycle market, and in some Southeast Asian countries, it is difficult to find a household without a motorcycle. For example, Thailand has the highest number of motorcycles per capita, with 87% of households owning at least one motorcycle. Vietnam (86%), Indonesia (85%), and Malaysia (83%) follow closely in terms of motorcycle ownership. While most Asian motorcycles run on gasoline, traffic experts note that the market is undergoing significant changes, with electric motorcycles gaining ground as a replacement for fuel-powered motorcycles.
Auto industry analysts predict that by 2030, sales of electric motorcycles in Asia may increase by 3 to 4 times compared to current levels. The ASEAN electric motorcycle industry has grown rapidly over the past two years, with sales increasing by 7% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2023, reaching 11 million units, making it the fastest-growing region globally. According to a report released by MotorCycles Data in December last year, Indonesia leads the market growth, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines.
The competition in the electric motorcycle segment is fierce, with manufacturers in ASEAN countries aiming to seize the opportunity presented by the new energy transition. As governments strive to address the impact of climate change and encourage the adoption of non-internal combustion engine-driven vehicles, this has become an urgent matter.
Indonesian company Maka Motors will launch electric motorcycles this year to tap into the growing domestic market. The startup has recruited engineers from Japanese and German motorcycle manufacturers to launch its business, hoping that Indonesia’s population of over 270 million will drive demand. In another motorcycle-loving country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, electric motorcycles are also becoming an increasingly important focus for local manufacturers. According to Vietnam News Agency, Vietnamese automaker VinFast delivered its first batch of Evo200 smart electric motorcycles in September 2022. All crucial components of the motorcycle are developed and manufactured by VinFast.
Moreover, international automakers have also set their sights on the Southeast Asian electric motorcycle market. Nikkei Asia Review reported that Honda Motor last year launched its first electric motorcycle model in Indonesia. The company will continue to introduce other electric motorcycle models in Indonesia and consider investing in local production facilities.