I hear and see a lot of comments about the NZDF testing of the electric bikes. Why would ant defence force want them?

The New Zealand Defence Force on July 27th said in a statement, as it explores "greener" means of transport, it is testing four specially built electric utility motorcycles from Tauranga based company Ubco for the suitability in areas such as reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as airfield security and among other things. 

Well, I am no expert but I can see a few advantages of having them over the conventional motorcycles in a defence context especially in reconnaissance and surveillance.  

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Firstly, I am guessing the bike would be used by either special forces and or scouting operations and both of these operations you don't want your scouting target to know you are there. A conventional motorcycle (which I might add I ride a Ducati St4s) has a few disadvantages here.;

1. The vehicle has to carry enough fuel for the two-way operation. The longer the distance the more fuel needs to be carried.
2. The vehicle has to be stealth, ie quiet. A conventional motorcycle even with good mufflers is not that quiet. Although technology has come along a fair bit here and there are some quite quiet bikes out there. 
3. A conventional motorcycle needs constant engine maintenance.
4. Running cost conventional motorcycle would be a lot higher. Not only that the initial cost would be a lot and I mean a lot cheaper.
5. The deadweight of the bike add the of weight of fuel, and any gear being carried the become cumbersome to manoeuvre whilst keeping quiet on a scouting mission.

So, I already hear some going on about battery life already, that you wouldn't want to it to go dead on a mission, and carrying extra batteries is more dead weight. The answer here is solar power battery recharging. Also, the weight of the bike is only 65kg and testing shows that can it travel 120 KM on a single charge. A 60 KM round trip is a decent scouting mission. Take mobile solar re-charging kit and you can extend that.

The maintenance on the electric bike would be far far less than a standard petrol-powered bike. Yes, there will still be break downs and maintenance required, but you are eliminating the entire combustion engine which needs constant maintenance to keep it going which is time and money.  If any breakdown on the electric motor, there is a few wires, and few bolts to change the entire electric motor, put a new one in and you are on your way. You can then send the motor to get fixed. Adding to this not a lot can go wrong with electric motors. If it is induction motor replacement of the starter capacitor every so often, brushes on a standard motor. Only other maintenance would be chains, sprockets, wiring and bearings etc, maybe the odd broken frame. Overall way cheaper than a conventional motorcycle.