Delivery riders consider return to petrol bikes over EV reliability concerns

[Photo: Renato Marques]

Several riders working for food and goods delivery platforms are considering returning to petrol-powered motorcycles, the Times has learned.

According to a rider who switched to electric vehicles (EVs) less than a year ago, the new vehicles have experienced reliability issues that are jeopardizing his business and reducing his earnings. He also said other riders are facing similar problems.

Speaking to the Times, Viktor Chan, one of the riders affected, said, “I bought the [EV] bike less than 8 months ago, and it has already broken down twice.”

Chan noted that, beyond reliability, riders face another issue: the manufacturer’s refusal to honor the warranty.

“The manufacturer refuses to repair the bike under warranty. They say the bike is being used for ‘heavy duty’ and commercial purposes, not private, regular use. They use this as an excuse not to cover the repair costs.”

Chan said he is not an isolated case, claiming that several of his co-workers have experienced similar issues.

“Yes, I know at least one more [rider] using the same bike who has also had problems, and another, I think, using a different brand [manufacturer].”

He explained that the issues he has experienced are mechanical and not related to the battery.

“My first problem was [with] the brakes, and now this one I don’t know exactly what is wrong, but it’s making some noise from the rear wheel and seems that it has no strength, especially going uphill,” Chan explained.

When asked whether he was considering switching back to a petrol-powered scooter, he said, “Yes, yes, I am considering this now. Gasoline prices are high now, and bike prices are also quite high, but I am thinking I can find a second-hand one so I can work. I cannot always get stranded while doing deliveries and always take the bike to the [repair] shop. If I cannot work, I don’t earn anything. This is how this job is.”

With some 28,600 km on the odometer, Chan said he rides no more than 800 km per week. Nevertheless, he says his “new” bike already seems more worn out than the one he had for over 10 years.

“Before, I had a Cygnus X… and I had no major problems with it, just regular maintenance like oil changes and tire replacements. I switched to this EV because I thought I could save more money on gas and maintenance, but I was wrong. I really regret it now,” he said, adding, “Maybe this bike is okay for people who only use it to go to work or school and then leave it parked all day, but it is not suitable for continuous riding. I don’t think it will last more than a year.”

He admitted that when he first considered switching from a petrol-powered motorcycle to an electric one, his only concern was battery life, which he says is now the least of his problems.

“The battery is okay. It lasts around 60 to 65 km. I can do a few deliveries in the morning, then charge it while I take my break and do the same in the afternoon. It’s not very practical, but it’s okay. Of course, with the Cygnus X, I could do around 250 km with a full tank. It would easily last me two days of work.”

More than simply lodging a complaint, Chan told the Times he wanted to share his story to help more people understand the practical implications of switching to EVs and alert them to aspects he had overlooked.

“Now I wonder how taxis will cope with these issues, especially as they are also switching to EVs. Maybe the technology is more reliable in cars, but I am no longer so sure. Will they end up breaking down in the middle of the bridge on the way to the airport?”

According to the Environmental Protection Bureau’s (DSPA) annual report, State of the Environment in Macau (2025), the number of EVs registered in the territory rose by 34.6% from the previous year to 16,339.

The same report noted that the number of electric motorcycles increased by 36.1% from the previous year to 6,194, driven by the launch of several financial support programs encouraging the replacement of older motorcycles with new electric models.