French manufacturer Ateliers has just unveiled an electric motorcycle that’s generating intense debate in the industry: the Heritage Spirit Scrambler, a model that combines retro design with modern technology, but whose price tag has left the motorcycle community bewildered.
With a base price of €23,450, this electric vehicle comes in two versions, dubbed “50cc” and “125cc” – a peculiar nomenclature for an electric motorcycle, apparently chosen to reflect French licensing categories.
The “50cc” version, limited to 28 mph, seems designed to exploit a specific French law allowing license-free riding for those born before 1988. However, the irony isn’t lost on experts: who born before 1988 would be willing to pay the equivalent of two Triumph Scrambler 900s for a motorcycle with just 50 miles of range?
Despite premium components like Brembo brakes and WP suspension, many question the rationality of equipping a speed-limited motorcycle with high-performance specifications. The manufacturer promotes the vehicle as “ideal for leisure rides,” but critics point out that, at this price point, more versatile alternatives exist in the market.
The controversy emerges at a time when the electric motorcycle sector seeks to establish itself, raising questions about Ateliers’ pricing positioning and market strategy.