ePTW manufacturers, technology providers, Government and current major motorcycle manufacturers strongly support the development of eMCI, which complements the MCI’s existing activities - a trade association which has been at the forefront of representing motorcycling technological development for over a century. Industry argues that more Government support is needed for ePTWs in the areas of financial and practical incentives , particularly when such initiatives are in place to help expand the eCar sector. Sales of electric Powered Two Wheelers support this need as there are currently twice the number of eBike sales. Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor’s Director of Environment and Digital helped to launch the Association by viewing the latest electric motorbikes at City Hall.

He said: "We already know there is a massive appetite for two wheel travel in this city and I think the time is absolutely right for greater support and representation for those opting for cleaner, greener electric motorbikes. The Mayor, Boris Johnson, recently launched Source London, the largest charging network in the capital as part of his plans to make London the epicentre of electric vehicle driving in Europe. That is why we are delighted to host the launch of this important new initiative here at London's City Hall.” Steve Kenward, MCI CEO, said: “The eMCI is calling for the Government’s ‘Plug In Grant’ for cars to be extended to ePTWs, the inclusion of the ePTW in all future EV planning and policy and recognition of the added benefits of the ePTW in terms of congestion, parking and most importantly, the charging infrastructure. eMCI is also seeking Government support to technology start up businesses working in the area of low carbon technology for ePTWs.”

The UK electric powered two wheeler sector is expanding rapidly, driven by a genuine enthusiasm for a greener, low emission transport alternative. This evolving sector is employing new solutions to the issues of design, manufacture and sales of a whole new generation of electric powered two wheeled vehicles, creating routes to market that are fresh and designed to meet the demands of a new generation of commuters. Traditional manufacturers are also engaged in developing new technologies and significant investment by major manufacturers is taking place. To stand a chance of fully exploiting the sector’s enormous potential, to deliver a genuine ‘ultra low carbon’ transport solution and to help position the UK as a technological centre of excellence for Electric Vehicles, the eMCI will support the industry by facilitating focus in areas of technological and public policy. One of the most significant challenges facing the ‘electric revolution’ is re-fuelling.

There are relatively few Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points and recharging is even more significant for those who have no off-street parking. These are the very individuals – urban dwellers whose daily commute is short and generally congested – who could benefit most from EV’s. ePTW’s offer a viable solution to this problem, many ePTW’s are being delivered with battery units which can be easily removed from the vehicle and taken inside to charge. The Mayor of London also recently launched Source London, the first city-wide and largest electric vehicle charge point network and membership scheme. With 150 new charge points operating under a single scheme, Source London is now the capital’s largest charging network.

It has significantly boosted existing numbers of charge points operated by a range of different localised schemes. By 2013, Source London will total at least 1,300 charge points, more than the number of petrol stations currently in London, ensuring the infrastructure is in place for significantly more people and businesses to buy an electric vehicle from the expanding range coming to market. On the same day, Monday 20 June 2011, the MCI launched a significant new edition of its 'Case for Motorcycling'.
New factsheets on how motorcycling contributes to wider society and the role of alternative powered motorcycles are launched and can be viewed on the MCI website, www.mcia.co.uk .