CHONGQING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- In an exhibition hall in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, an electric off-road motorcycle drew a crowd of onlookers. Nearby, retro-styled e-motorcycles, urban commuters and high-performance electric bikes stood in rows, waiting for their turn in the spotlight.
But the motorcycles were not the only things attracting attention. Buyers moved from booth to booth, stopping to examine batteries, motors and intelligent control units -- the components powering a new generation of electric two-wheelers.
The scene at the 24th China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition offers a glimpse into a broader shift in the country's motorcycle industry: new-energy models are no longer a niche attraction. They are drawing increasing attention from manufacturers and buyers.
Held in Chongqing from Saturday to Tuesday, the exhibition brought together 1,120 exhibitors and more than 100 global motorcycle and electric vehicle brands, showcasing over 3,000 vehicles. Thousands of international buyers and dealers from more than 80 countries and regions came to explore new Chinese products.
For manufacturers, the change is reflected in the products on display. Electric motorcycles are being developed for an increasingly diverse range of uses, from intercity long-distance travel and performance-oriented commuting to competitive racing and off-road riding.
And their push is extending beyond China's borders. Some brands have already gained a foothold in European and American markets, with their electric motorcycles now sold across dozens of countries and regions.
"Electric motorcycles represent the future trend," said Hernan Holguin, a Colombian buyer, as he weaved between different booths, taking a close look at Chinese electric motorcycles.
For buyers like Holguin, the appeal goes beyond the exhibition floor. Rising fuel prices, growing urban transportation needs and a booming express delivery sector are driving South American markets to turn to Chinese e-motorcycles, he said. He hopes to reach cooperation agreements during his trip and bring more Chinese e-motorcycles to Latin American markets.
The growing interest is also drawing attention from industry insiders.
New-energy motorcycles will become an important part of urban transportation in many countries and regions, said Zhang Hongbo, secretary-general of the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle (CCCM). As technology advances, the industry is moving toward greener and smarter development, he said, adding that Chinese new-energy motorcycles are expected to see further growth in global markets.
Analysts say the country's vast and well-established motorcycle industry is expected to provide a solid foundation for the growth of the electric motorcycle sector.
China is the world's largest motorcycle producer, with an industrial chain valued at nearly 500 billion yuan (74.6 billion U.S. dollars). According to the CCCM, the country produced more than 22.1 million motorcycles and sold nearly 21.97 million in 2025.
Chongqing, a major production hub where roughly one in every three motorcycles made in China rolls off the production line, offers a close-up view of the industry's evolution.
Here, fuel-powered and electric motorcycles are developing side by side. Major manufacturers such as Zonsen and Shineray are accelerating their new-energy plans, while battery makers are also rolling out new technologies and products, gradually broadening the industry's electric offerings.
In the first half of this year, Chongqing exported 117,000 electric motorcycles and mopeds worth 515 million yuan. Export volume jumped 130.5 percent year on year, while export value increased 66.6 percent, statistics from the municipal commission of economy and informatization show.
For many manufacturers, the next step is clear: bringing electric models into their product lines.
Founded in 2024, ZXMOTO rapidly built a presence in the market with large-displacement fuel-powered motorcycles. Now, it is turning its attention to electric models.
The company has already secured the necessary qualifications and related R&D is well underway, its founder Zhang Xue said at the event.
As more manufacturers embrace electrification, industry experts see potential for electric motorcycles to follow the growth trajectory of China's electric auto industry.
The motorcycle sector can follow, replicate and even surpass the electrification path of China's automotive industry, said Chen Qingquan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noting that both vehicle and battery technologies have now reached a mature stage.
"The era of rapid development for the electric motorcycle industry has arrived," Chen said. ■
