Award-winning British electric motorcycle that beat BMW and Harley-Davidson

In a victory for British innovation, electric motorcycle start-up Maeving has outpaced industry giants like BMW, Kawasaki, and Harley-Davidson to claim the title of Electric Bike of the Year from Motorcycle News (MCN), a respected motorcycling publication in the UK.

Maeving’s founders set out in 2018 to re-imagine what an electric motorcycle could be. Rather than replicating traditional petrol bikes, they focused on something lighter, simpler, and more adaptable to everyday use.

The winning model is the Maeving RM1S, a bike built in Coventry and which was praised by MCN as being 'beautifully built, works perfectly and offers something refreshingly different'. For those in the market to add an award-winning bike to their motoring arsenal, shoppers can get browsing, with prices for the RM1S starting out at £7,495 on their website.

“Winning this prestigious award means a tremendous amount to the whole team. It’s a testament to the prowess of British motorcycle design and engineering, and evidence that the removable battery technology – and the ability to ‘re-fuel’ at any standard socket – is what makes electric bikes so compelling," said Seb Inglis-Jones, Maeving Co-Founder.

A post on the brand's official Instagram account says it 'brings motorcycling into the modern age without losing its soul.' And the high end specs are proof. Each bike is equipped with removable batteries that can be taken indoors and recharged from any household socket, much like a laptop or phone. For those who prefer, the batteries can also be charged while still fitted to the bike. This flexibility means there is no reliance on charging infrastructure, offering a practical solution to one of the biggest challenges of electric vehicles.

The Maeving RM1S won the title of Electric Bike of the Year from Motorcycle News

The model that secured the award is the Maeving RM1S, a bike built in Coventry and was paised by MCN as being "beautifully built, works perfectly and offers something refreshingly different." Now, shoppers can also grab the RM1S for prices starting out at £7,495 from the website.

The Maeving RM1S has also been designed with everyday practicality in mind, according to the website. On a single charge, riders can expect a range of up to 80 miles, depending on conditions. Servicing of it is handled through a mobile team that comes directly to the rider's door and with a basic Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) licence - required in the UK to legally ride a motorcycle - the RM1S is accessible to a wide range of motorcyclists.

Attention to detail is evident across the bike's design as it has a diamond-stitched seat made with sustainable, non-toxic materials. There is also a 10-litre storage tank which provides a lockable, weatherproof space and includes a USB-C port for device charging. Riders also have the option of nine paint schemes, allowing for some personalisation.

The RM1S has an analogue speedometer which provides a needle reading for speed and has an integrated LCD panel which delivers information such as battery level, trip data and riding mode. There is also a linked braking system which distributes stopping force across both wheels for a smoother, more balanced brake.

Finally, those who want some added extras can go for the optional GPS tracker which can be paired with Maeving's mobile app to provide location updates and also theft alerts. The specs of the bike say it has a top speed of 70 MPH and the brand says on its website that potential owners can try a Maeving for 14 days, risk-free. If they are not 100% satisfied, the bike can be returned with a refund.

Adolescence and Top Boy star Ashley Walters rides a Meaving RM1S and told the brand: "Riding is a getaway. I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know what I’m doing. I just get on the bike, ride, and get myself back to where I need to be."

For alternatives, customers could instead try The Kawasaki Z650RS with prices starting from £7,799 which is described as combining retro style with modern sport technology. Styling on this bike includes an LED headlight, needle instrumentation, 70's influenced bodywork and colours and a twin-cylinder engine.

A more expensive option is the Street Glide Ultra from Harley Davidson with prices starting at £28,495. The Street Glide Ultra is said on the website to be made for two-up touring for the rider and their passenger, with a powerful V-twin engine, spacious storage, and modern amenities.

The brand Maeving has been rated on Trustpilot, as one person said: "I bought my Maeving RM1 over three years ago, and it has completely transformed how I get around London. As someone who had never ridden a motorbike before, I was a bit nervous about making the leap, but the whole experience—from the initial purchase to getting on the road—was straightforward and reassuring. The bike is smooth, easy to handle, and perfect for city riding. I still look forward to every journey, and it’s held up brilliantly over time. Maeving’s team has been great whenever I’ve had questions, and I genuinely can’t imagine going back to my old commute."

Another said: "Finally a beautiful electric motorbike. Love my Maeving that I have been riding for over a year now. Perfect for urban commuting and getting about town. I don't think I have ever parked it without at least one person coming over to admire how it looks." A third said: "RM1S delivered yesterday, I was expecting just a drop off, but driver took his time explaining every aspect of the bike and more, making sure I was happy. The bike itself is amazing build quality, easy to ride, a fantastic thing for the commute to work. Looks absolutely stunning as well."

Not everyone agreed, however, with one shopper saying: "The bike is okay. I have the RMS1. Expensive for the performance. If I was making the choice again, I suspect I'd choose to spend a few grand on a second hand petrol bike and a good quality electric bicycle. I'd still end up with a few grand spare from what I'll spend on the RMS1 (once finance is taken into account). The bike seems good quality so far.

"The ride and seat are less comfortable than my mountain bike but, to be fair, the RMS1 goes a lot faster uphill. I suspect it will last well but obviously too early to tell. One beef is with the fact you only get one key. Inevitably, the dog ran off with it shortly after arrival. It costs 56 quid to get a spare key, and despite saying 2 - 4 days on the website, it takes more like a week and a half."

Motorcycle News also pointed out as part of their review: "It’s roomy, thanks to a spacious, upright riding position and low seat, but after a few hours the standard stitched seat gives you bum ache. It’s barely bigger than a pushbike saddle, so no surprise. The bar end mirrors wobble, too, but that’s about it when it comes to niggles."

The RM1S is available from Maeving.