Real data from dynamometric essays of electric and internal combustion engines motorcycles pointed out a 3 times superior energy performance of electric driven vehicles (47.06% efficiency) compared to the average value for liquid fueled engines (15.32%). That conclusion motivated a more comprehensive assessment, based on a bottom-up methodology together with the Primary Energy Factor PEF, in order to enlarge the energy chain by considering the Brazilian energetic matrix. Environmental impact is considered through the evaluation of greenhouse gases. PEF is calculated for five motorcycles based on 2010 to 2016 production data, followed by a projection for the years 2021, 2025 and 2026. PEF average values for electric and liquid fueled motorcycles are 3.5 and 7.1 respectively. The experimental tank-to wheel efficiency ratio of 3 to 1 from dynamometric essays turns to be a well-to-wheel 2 to 1 ratio whenever the enlarged energy chain is considered. PEF method applied to dynamometric results shows that electric driven motorcycles are still more energy efficient than liquid fueled similar vehicles for the Brazilian matrix. Emissions from electric conversion are still less harmful, nevertheless battery impact must be better studied. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.