The electric two-wheeler industry in India is still largely untapped, with preliminary research suggesting that only 9% of the total two-wheeler sales in the country comprise electric two-wheelers. Yet, in the second-biggest car market in the world, a humble electric scooter is rising like a phoenix amidst consumers’ aspirations to go green, cut costs, and get value for money. Electric two-wheelers do not operate on conventional fuels and are more conducive to sustainable commuting as electric vehicles produce less noise pollution and consume no fuel. Furthermore, Indian cities are increasingly becoming polluted and cannot monitor vehicular emission damage, making it a suitable ecosystem for electric two-wheelers to thrive in. So what are these myths surrounding electric two-wheelers, and how have they affected consumer choices? This blog covers the myths and facts about electric scooters to encourage people to adopt sustainable modes of transportation.
Myth 1: The battery range is not enough
The electric two-wheeler market in India has evolved significantly over the past couple of years. Manufacturers are now offering a range of vehicles with different battery capacities and an average range of 80 kilometres on a single charge.
Also, the time taken to replenish a battery to its maximum capacity decreases with rapid technological advancements. EV scooter manufacturers are now offering fast-charging models which can charge up to 80% in just 2-3 hours compared to earlier models, which required 6-7 hours of charging time to provide a lesser range than today’s electric scooter models.
Myth 2: It’s expensive to buy
The cost of buying an electric two-wheeler is on the higher side and can be a deterrent for many buyers. However, the initial investment is offset by savings in the long term as there are no fuel costs or maintenance charges.
The Indian Government, in its bid to completely halt the production of conventional cars and bikes by 2025, is heavily incentivising the purchase and manufacture of EVs through subsidies like FAME – II to encourage its citizens to switch to electromobility. Apart from that, several states are also offering their subsidies along with the Central government subsidies to further incentivise EV purchases.
Myth 3: EV scooters aren’t safe
Technology has come a long way since modern EVs were first introduced to India in 2017. Manufacturers have made huge strides in increasing these vehicles’ range while improving their safety features, such as airbags, ABS and even collision detection systems.
Due to a few reported cases of electric scooters catching fire, the Indian government has passed an act stating that all EV scooter batteries produced by and after December 2022 will be standardised. This move will further increase the safety quotient of EVs.
Myth 4: Electric scooters have high maintenance costs
Electric scooters are still fairly new to the Indian market, so there isn’t a large enough sample size to determine their maintenance costs. However, with time and more EVs on the road, we can expect these vehicles to become cheaper to maintain thanks to standardised batteries and other factors.
Also, electric scooters operate on a battery pack and have fewer parts. An electric scooter does not incur the maintenance costs of a regular oil change, brake fluid top-ups, or motor issues leading to a breakdown.
Myth 5: Electric scooters are heavy
Electric scooters are not heavy. In fact, they are quite light and easy to manoeuvre. The best part is that the weight of an electric scooter is distributed evenly across its wheels, so it won’t cause any strain on your back or shoulders while riding.
Conclusion
The electric vehicle (EV) industry is growing. Many consumers are switching from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs because of rising fuel prices and global concerns about sustainability. It is high time to embrace electromobility as the present of transportation rather than the future. Several electric scooter facts are available online to make the ignorant or misinformed public aware of the benefits of electric scooters for daily commutes.
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