Are Electric Motorbikes Legal in Australia?

Yes, electric motorbikes are legal in Australia. However, whether you can ride one on public roads depends on the specific motorcycle and its compliance with Australian vehicle standards.

Some electric motorbikes are designed purely for private property, motocross tracks and off-road trails. Others, including the Savic C-Series, are fully road legal and can be registered for everyday riding.

What Makes an Electric Motorbike Road Legal?

A road-legal electric motorcycle must meet the safety and vehicle standards that apply to motorcycles supplied in Australia.

The Australian Design Rules, commonly known as the ADRs, are national standards covering areas such as vehicle safety, braking, lighting, anti-theft systems and emissions. New vehicles manufactured in Australia or imported for sale must comply with the relevant ADRs before being supplied to the Australian market.

An approved vehicle is generally entered on the Australian Government’s Register of Approved Vehicles, or RAV. The RAV records vehicles that have met the requirements of the Road Vehicle Standards Act and have been approved for supply in Australia.

The motorcycle must then be registered through the relevant state or territory authority before it can be used on public roads. Registration requirements can vary slightly depending on where you live.

In practical terms, a road-legal electric motorcycle will usually need:

• ADR approval for its vehicle category
• A 17-character Vehicle Identification Number
• Entry on the Register of Approved Vehicles
• Compliant brakes, lighting, indicators, mirrors and other safety equipment
• State or territory registration
• Number plates and any required compulsory insurance

ADR compliance and registration are related, but they are not exactly the same. ADR compliance means the model is approved to be supplied for Australian road use. The individual motorcycle must still be registered before you ride it on public roads.

Are All Electric Motorcycles Street Legal?

No. The terms electric motorbike and electric motorcycle are used for a wide variety of vehicles, including machines that were never designed for public-road use.

For example, the Surron Ultra Bee X HP has been sold in Australia as an off-road-only electric dirt bike. That version is intended for private property and suitable off-road riding areas rather than normal street use. Surron also offers separate ADR-approved Ultra Bee HP variants, showing why it is important to check the exact model rather than relying on the brand name alone.

Features such as a headlight, brake light or speedometer do not necessarily make an electric motorbike road legal. 

Before purchasing, ask:

• Is this exact model ADR compliant?
• Is it entered on the RAV?
• Can it be fully registered in my state or territory?
• Is it an off-road model, recreationally registered model or unrestricted road motorcycle?
• What motorcycle licence will I need to ride it?

Be particularly careful with electric dirt bikes that resemble mountain bikes or e-bikes but deliver motorcycle-level power and speed. Their appearance does not determine their legal classification.

Is the Savic C-Series Road Legal in Australia?

Yes. The Savic C-Series is a fully registerable, high-performance electric motorcycle designed, engineered and assembled in Melbourne.

Developing a new Australian motorcycle involved far more than creating a prototype that could move under its own power. The C-Series had to complete the testing and certification required of a road-going production motorcycle.

Key milestones included:

2021: Named the Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year

2021: Received a Good Design Award Gold accolade for Engineering Design

2021: Received a Good Design Award in Automotive and Transport Product Design

2022: Secured final ADR compliance and the first C-Series road registration

The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards recognised the C-Series for its design process, excellence, innovation and impact, while Good Design Australia recognised both its product and engineering design.

Today, the C-Series can be registered across Australia. Each motorcycle is entered on the RAV using its individual VIN, with the registration process then completed according to the requirements of the owner’s state or territory.

Meet Australia’s Road-Legal Electric Motorcycle

The Savic C-Series combines the instant performance of an electric powertrain with the presence and capability of a full-sized road motorcycle.

Unlike an off-road electric dirt bike, it has been developed for riding on Australian streets, urban commutes and open roads. Each motorcycle is built to order in Melbourne and supported through Savic’s Australian servicing and aftersales network.

Electric motorbikes are legal in Australia, but the safest approach is to choose a motorcycle whose road-use credentials are clear, documented and supported by the manufacturer.

Download the C-Series brochure to explore its road-legal engineering, performance, technology and customisation options.

Discover more: DOWNLOAD THE C-SERIES BROCHURE