After taking part on this yr’s Moto Giro d’Italia – well-known for its wonderful array of petrol-powered traditional bikes – I travelled to Berlin for a really totally different sort of occasion: Reload Land – The Electrical Bike Competition, which was held June 7-8 on the Napoleon Komplex.
I lived in West Berlin again when the wall nonetheless reduce by way of this a part of town, so this might be a homecoming of kinds, permitting me to revisit my previous stomping grounds whereas immersing myself within the sights – and silence – of the electrical bike scene. Till now, this world had been principally unfamiliar to me.
Whereas the change from heat Italian sunshine to Berlin’s unseasonably chilly air and looming rainclouds wasn’t very best, my pleasure for the weekend didn’t waver. The Napoleon Komplex had been remodeled with banners and producer shows, unified below the occasion’s slogan: Fahre elektrisch – Tanze aus der Reihe, or “Drive electrical – dance out of line.”
It was a becoming motto for a thoughtfully curated occasion delivered to life by pageant founder Maximilian Funk and his workforce. Their purpose? To indicate that life on two wheels with out engine noise could be simply as thrilling as its petrol-powered counterpart.
To the best of the primary entrance was a devoted demo fleet space. To the left, a big Can-Am show stood alongside LiveWire’s providing, each adjoining to an out of doors bar and seating space. A modest stage was arrange for the night’s leisure: digital music, naturally. Notably absent was Zero Bikes – not less than formally. The one look of a Zero got here courtesy of German YouTuber Paddy Lectric, whose privately owned Zero DSR/X was parked close by. Paddy additionally runs an internet site known as “Stecker Biker” (Plug Biker).
Additionally making a captivating look within the forecourt was Revive’s traditional VW Bulli van and a Citroën 2CV espresso cart – each, after all, transformed to electrical.
Contained in the Electrical Kingdom
Contained in the darkened corridor, spotlit stands created a moody, theatrical vibe. Pictures was a problem till the daylight improved later within the day. Close to the doorway, in entrance of the primary stage, stood a placing electrical Porsche 911, transformed by the agency Revive. Yours for a tidy $100,000 and alter.
Sharing stage house had been customized bikes from Crooked and Free Screw. Crooked’s E-Kind – constructed on an RGNT No. 1 Scrambler SE – merges the seems to be of their petrol-based customs with an electrical powertrain, illustrating how the 2 worlds can coexist.
Close by was a sensible electrical cargo bike from Fats Albert, seemingly designed with crate-of-beer transport in thoughts. Can-Am’s electrical choices, the Pulse and Origin, weren’t solely displayed in the primary corridor but additionally accessible for check rides outdoors.
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Maeving, a British producer, showcased two bikes of their minimalist-retro type: one in cool white with racing stripes and one other in a extra understated grey. Take a look at rides had been on provide too.
Black Tea Bikes, a Munich-based agency, displayed their signature mannequin sans fake gas tank to spotlight the battery association. In the meantime, Metorbike from Hamburg leaned into nostalgic vibes, designing their frames across the Seventies Puch Magnum moped.
Enverotricity – fairly the tongue-twister – provided an off-road platform that may very well be configured into 5 totally different variations relying on rider choice.
From India to Estonia
Emco scooters, from Decrease Saxony, had been additionally on show, together with their modern black Unu scooter. Their fleet-focused electrical scooters have ranges of fifty to 130 km (31-81 miles) and prime out at 45 km/h (28 mph).
A significant worldwide spotlight was Ultraviolette, an Indian electrical bike model that launched its F77 Mach 2 Recon and F77 Superstreet Recon fashions in Europe on the occasion. With aerospace-inspired engineering, the F77 boasts 40 hp, 74 lb-ft of torque, and a prime pace of 155 km/h (96 mph). Acceleration is equally spectacular: 0-60 km/h (37 mph) in 2.8 seconds and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.7. A five-year battery guarantee and regenerative braking (as much as 30% vitality restoration) make this a really compelling choice.
For 2026, Ultraviolette plans to launch two extra fashions: the Tesseract e-scooter and the Shockwave, a light-weight bike promising the fun of old-school 2-stroke bikes in futuristic type.
Verge Bikes, with roots in Estonia and an innovation hub in San Francisco, had jaws dropping with their TS Professional – delivering an earth-moving 738 lb-ft of torque and a prime pace of 200 km/h (124 mph). Its large rear tire is like that of Triumph’s Rocket 3 and Ducati’s XDiavel.
East German Classics and Swiss Pace
Czech designer Ladislav Jecminek introduced the Havoc, a futuristic dual-purpose e-motorcycle able to 43 hp and a variety of round 130 km (81 miles).
Berlin-based Second Journey introduced one thing particular: transformed Simson mopeds and scooters from East Germany. These 2-stroke classics, as soon as essentially the most produced two-wheelers within the nation, have been reborn as low-maintenance, zero-emission machines. Over 800 conversion kits have already left their facility. I took a black model of the S51 for a spin across the block and was stunned by its pep.
Coopop, a model developed in South Korea and refined in Germany, had a tidy line-up of city-focused e-bikes, together with bobber and scrambler kinds with 11 hp, 120 km (75 miles) of vary, and prime speeds of 45 km/h (28 mph).
Daring Ideas & Silent Energy
Across the nook, one other house featured interviews with exhibitors and hosted the Reload Customized Electrical Bike exhibit – dramatically lit and filled with boundary-pushing design.
Danish startup Diem confirmed off its X-01, a placing idea that includes a single-beam body, single-sided swingarm, Brembo brakes, Showa forks, and an axial flux hub motor rated at 47.5 hp.
From Sweden got here the Polestar Exö, an idea designed by industrial design graduate Joel Wengström. Impressed by biomimicry and that includes a bio-composite exoskeleton formed like a scorpion’s tail, it was one of many present’s extra avant-garde entries.
Switzerland’s Hush Cycles shocked attendees with their Superior GT – a 200-hp hubless electrical bike with a variety of as much as 400 km (249 miles), acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds, and a whopping 50-liter trunk. Solely 300 items can be constructed.
Electrical Shock & Chopper Cool
Proving electrical autos can nonetheless pack a punch, Volto – a yellow customized electrical automotive based mostly on a Volvo 850 – was remodeled by JP Efficiency right into a beast with 1,000 hp and selectable drive modes.
To shut the loop between old fashioned and new college, Sine Cycles introduced the King Present – a chopper-style electrical bike constructed round a 2016 Zero FX drivetrain. With uncovered spine, cantilever suspension, and 43 hp on faucet, it made a press release with out making a sound.
Driving the Silence
Later within the day, I suited up for a booked check experience on the LiveWire Del Mar. A gaggle of 4 riders was led by way of Berlin’s streets. This was my first correct experience on an electrical streetbike. At first, the silence was unnerving – till I opened the throttle on a transparent stretch of highway and felt the moment torque. I used to be hooked.
Site visitors stops had been barely comical – a gaggle of silent machines idling at purple lights, no exhaust notes to be heard. Among the roads we travelled had already seen rain, and with extra on the way in which, I made a fast sprint to the Can-Am space for an additional check experience.
First up was their Origin dual-sport bike. Whereas the ability supply was nice, I discovered the seat peak a bit too tall for consolation. Midway by way of the experience I swapped to the Pulse, and by then, the heavens had opened. We had been soaked, however I discovered the lower-slung Pulse far more gratifying.
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Each bikes characteristic a Rotax E-Energy system that cleverly combines the battery, inverter, charger, and motor right into a single liquid-cooled unit – serving to handle warmth even throughout quick charging. With 47 hp, 53 lb-ft of torque, and a sub-4-second 0-60 mph time on the Pulse, efficiency was greater than sufficient.
I returned drenched and opted to skip Sunday’s program resulting from worsening forecasts. I missed the launch of the Ichiban electrical bike, which was prominently featured on the Reload poster, and likewise the Saturday Night time Silent Journey, which reportedly drew over 100 electrical bikes and scooters – a signature second for the occasion.
Remaining Ideas
As I rode the LiveWire Del Mar by way of Berlin, silently dashing alongside on an open stretch of highway, I couldn’t assist however marvel: What if a pedestrian stepped out, unaware of my presence as a result of lack of sound? Happily, some manufacturers are addressing this concern – Metorbike, for instance, affords eight sound modules for its bikes.
Lastly, it’s value noting that Reload Land is increasing its footprint: The primary Silent Journey Paris occurred on June 28, 2025, cruising by way of the French capital’s iconic landmarks. Subsequent up is Milan, Italy, on September 13, 2025. Unfold the volt!
