As air pollution levels reach record levels and fuel prices soar, electric scooters are proving more cost-effective and eco-friendly for commuting than traditional, fuel-powered scooters. There have been exponential breakthroughs in EV technology since its inception. Several major companies and startups are releasing newer and better models of EV scooters with more range, features, and speed.
With the addition of multiple new models in the market from old players and new, consumer psychology is experiencing a transformative shift toward EV adoption. The Indian Government is pushing for a positive e-mobile future for its citizens with subsidised manufacture and purchase of electric vehicles through FAME-I and FAME-II schemes. Such schemes are beneficial for both the consumers and the manufacturers. This shift is optimal when the global market seems to lean more towards EVs. Europe, the USA, and China share a primary chunk of the market, with the electric scooter market in India being a promising addition. However, several people remain sceptical of EV technology and are hesitant to switch to electric scooters for their daily commute.
The challenges to electric two-wheeler adoption in India are:
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Range anxiety
Electric scooters currently available in the market offer a range of up to 200km after a complete charge. Some electric scooter models have lower ranges. This is a challenge as electric scooters are competing against petrol-fuelled scooters with an unlimited range, as petrol is available everywhere. To counter this problem, the Indian government has partnered with several organizations to build an EV charging station infrastructure nationwide that can sustain the number of growing EVs on-road. EV scooter manufacturers are also testing out swappable battery centers where one can just swap the drained scooter battery pack for a completely charged one.
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Long charging time for batteries
The time taken to replenish a drained battery entirely is significantly longer than the time it takes to refuel a petrol-scooters. Even with manufacturers now offering quick charging capabilities, the time taken to charge the battery is anywhere between 1 – 1.5 hours. Battery swapping technology can counter this challenge, but it is still in the nascent stage of development.
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Lack of standardization in terms of charging infrastructure
The lack of standardization in charging ports hinders the mass electrification of the Indian two-wheeler automotive industry. Unlike the uniformity in charging EV four-wheelers, electric scooters use proprietary charging ports. This makes charging them at a single power station impossible.
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End-of-life management of batteries
The shift towards EVs also increases the consumption of lithium-ion batteries, which are used for power and, parallelly, an increase in the number of spent batteries. Lithium-ion batteries cannot be disposed of but need to be recycled. Mass adoption of electric mobility requires a proper e-waste management system to dispose of or recycle batteries. The recycled battery components can be utilized for other applications, making the shift to mobility environmentally friendly in commute and disposal.
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Consumer perception of early adopters
EV enthusiasts who invested in electric scooters when the technology was recently launched were appalled at the challenges of electric vehicles manufactured early on. Thus, even today, some people are hesitant to use electric scooters despite the advancements in technology within them. The newest electric scooters are winning over consumers thanks to their locally manufactured, assembled and tested components. Moreover, they cater to local tastes and preferences.
Final Thoughts:
The EV industry is on an upward surge, and several consumers are choosing electric vehicles over their traditional ICE counterparts. This transition is due to several factors, including rising fuel prices and global outcry for sustainability. Electric vehicle technology is rapidly advancing, and several manufacturers are offering electric scooters with attractive features.
iVOOMi is a reputed manufacturer of electric two-wheelers in India that are high-speed and long-range. Our power-packed EVs are designed for environmentally-conscious consumers who care about their carbon footprint and the future of our country. We have a wide selection of exciting electric scooters if you consider switching to EVs.
