The market for electric vehicles is expanding across every major economy across the globe – including India. In particular, there is a big market for an electric two-wheeler in India,
As the world struggles with the severe implications of climate change, the chorus of voices for change is growing stronger. The use of electric vehicles is one such change that can help bring down dependence on fossil fuels substantially – enough to make a difference not just in the present times, but also in the future.
A “McKinsey consultancy research states that the sales of electric vehicles are expected to reach around 5 million by 2025.”
The market for electric two-wheelers in India is growing
India is the largest market in the world for two-wheelers. However, in the last 5 years, electric two-wheeler sales have surged from about 30K units to 150000 units despite the covid-19 impact. A step in the right direction given the increased focus on the need for saving the environment, reducing pollution, and climate change.
In addition to climate change, one of the main reasons for the increased space for electric vehicles within Indian markets has to do with the sharp and painful rise in Petrol/Diesel costs. And a spike in fuel costs has an all-around inflationary impact – a fact that is pinching the middle, lower middle class, and below poverty line (BPL) families. For these reasons, Indian’s are now forced to rethink their commuting options.
This is where electric vehicles, and in particular electric two-wheelers in India can help ease out the financial burden on families both in the short and long term.
Driving the demand further is the fact that battery prices are coming down – a trend that is expected to continue in the years to come. This in turn will lower the cost of operating electric bikes when compared to running and maintaining petrol and diesel vehicles.
According to a study done International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), the price parity of electric vehicles when compared with petrol vehicles can be achieved by 2027.
It is for all of these reasons collectively that the market for electric two-wheelers in India is expected to quickly grow and expand.
Related Read – What is the Future of Electric Two-Wheelers in India?
3 Different types of electric vehicles
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Hybrid.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or EVs as they are more commonly known are fully electric vehicles. BEVs are designed with rechargeable batteries – and it is the battery pack that drives the BEV. The battery pack of the BEV can be recharged from the grid.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
Hybrid electric vehicles are designed with an electric wheel hub motor, battery, and control system. The HEV comes with an internal combustion engine – this helps in improved fuel economy and lowers toxic emissions.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
The Plug-in Hybrid features a much larger battery pack. A 110-volt electrical socket is required to charge the battery pack in PHEVs. This is similar to an electric car.
Pricing with the performance of lowest to Highest electric two-wheelers in India
EV | RANGE – KM | EX-SHOWROOM PRICE | TOP SPEED – KM/H | ACCELERATION – 0 to 40 KM/H Seconds | Peak Motor Power – KW |
Hero Electric Flash LX | 50 | 46,640 | 25 | NA | 250 W |
Hero Electric Flash LX(VRLA) | 50 | 51,440 | 25 | NA | 250 W |
Hero Electric Optima | 85 | 51,440 – 67,440 | 25 | NA | 250 W |
Hero Electric Atria | 85 | 66,640 | 25 | NA | 250 W |
Hero Electric Optima LX | 85 | 67,440 | 25 | NA | 250 W |
Hero Electric Photon | 108 | 71,440 | 42 | NA | 1.2 |
Revolt RV 400 | 150 | 90,799 | 85 | 3.9 | 3.24 |
Revolt RV 300 | 180 | 94,999 | 65 | NA | 1.5 |
Ola S1 | 121 | 99,999 | 90 | 3.6 | 8.5 |
Bajaj Chetak | 90 | 14,1440 | 70 | 3 | 4.8 |
TVS iQube Electric | 75 | 1,07,938 | 78 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
Simple One | 236 | 1,09,000 | 105 | 2.95 | 4.8 |
Ather 450 Plus | 70 | 1,25,490 | 80 | 3.9 | 5.4 |
Ola S1 Pro | 181 | 1,29,999 | 115 | 3 | 8.5 |
Ather 450X | 116 | 1,44,500 | 80 | 3.3 | 6 |
Charging infrastructure
Sun Mobility, an electric vehicles solutions and services startup, is focusing on building itself as complete mobility as a service. Aiming to be a complete electric mobility solutions provider, the company will provide swapping, battery leasing & chargers. Presently the company has around 100 charging points which they hope to increase to 600 by March 2022 and hit a target of more than 40K by 2026.
Key takeaways
Unless there is a drastic and immediate drop in the dependence on fossil fuels, the repercussions of the damage to our environment are frightening. The move towards increasing the adoption of electric two-wheelers can help reduce the burden on fossil fuel dependence. In addition to the increased focus on partnering in environmental initiatives, India’s 1.4 billion population dividend makes it an attractive market for electric vehicles manufacturers. Hopefully, the switch from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles happens quickly and India can do its bit in saving the environment.