Electric vehicle costs need to come down another 25% before they're financially on par with gas powered equivalents on a total to own and operate basis.
I'd say that depends on a lot of things - riding habits, cost and fuel efficiency of the bikes you're comparing and gas prices. Here comes the (conservative) math:
Ducati Monster 796 (non-ABS) = $9,995
Empulse 6.0, 6 kwh batttery pack = 60 mile range for $9,995
Empulse 8.0, 8 kwh batttery pack = 80 mile range for $11,995
Empulse 10.0, 10 kwh batttery pack = 100 mile range for $13995
Brammo Empulse (all models)
10kWH/mile - let's say $.10/kWH = $.01/mile
$100 in fuel costs per 10k miles
Ducati monster 796
~40MPG - let's say $2.50/Gallon = $.06ish/mile
$600 in fuel costs per 10k miles
You're saving about $500/10k miles with an electric
at today's gas prices, so you would have to ride 40k to break even on an 8.0, 80k to break even on a 10.0. If you only want to ride 60 miles at a time, then there is no differential.
But, if we are talking TCO, we could factor in oil changes and valve adjustments. Also, there are still tax breaks* (10% federal tax credit up to $2500) available for EVs. At some point in the cost adjustments (electicity price, gas prices, MPG, cost of ICE bike) we are getting real close to breaking even for all models.
Today.*Someone may argue that whether we pay for it or the government does, it is still additional cost. That someone would be right, but someone would also be:
A. Not really calculating TCO
B. Very happy to accept a 10% Awesome Italian Bike federal tax credit up to $2500 without a second thought
