Electric vehicles are gradually emerging as one of the greatest antidotes to climate change as more and more countries hop on the EV adoption bandwagon. In a country like India, where two-wheelers account for as much as 74% of the total number of on-road vehicles, the widespread conversion to clean energy through the adoption of e-bikes and e-scooters can be a complete game-changer.
Though ripe with potential and steadily evolving, the electric two-wheeler industry in India is currently at a rather rudimentary stage. Consequently, owners of this type of vehicle may initially face a few challenges. Though not insurmountable, these hurdles may appear to be deal-breakers for some riders. We would, therefore, recommend that you do your research and carefully study the advantages and disadvantages of owning an electric bike or scooter in India prior to making a purchase so that you are aware of exactly what you are signing up for.
Let us take a look at some of the major pros and cons of being an electric two-wheeler owner in India.
The Pros
Climate positive
Since electric two-wheelers are powered by rechargeable batteries, they are totally free from CO2 and other toxic emissions. As a result, owning an electric scooter or bike can be a fantastic way to lead an emission-free lifestyle with a significantly lesser carbon footprint. In India, where two-wheelers are predominantly fossil fuel-powered, an increase in the popularity of e-scooters and e-bikes can work wonders for the overall air quality index.
Many electric bikes and scooters also make effective use of energy-saving methods, such as the use of LED lights that provide ample light whilst consuming minimum energy. Additionally, electric two-wheelers, unlike the traditional ones, function very quietly and thus do not add to the unbearable noise pollution that is a persistent issue in urban environments.
Low running costs
Off-the-charts fuel costs have many consumers shying away from using standard motorbikes and scooters despite these being the commute of choice for a large part of the population. Studies reveal that the running costs of e-bikes and e-scooters are lower by approximately 5% than that of standard two-wheelers, something that consumers can profit from in the long run.
Subsidy
The government of India has facilitated the subsidization of electric vehicles through the FAME or Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles 2 scheme. Enactable from 2019 to 2022, this scheme also consists of stipulations regarding the installation of abundant and readily available public charging stations that are to be found in every 3 sq. km. area in all tier-1 cities as well as every 25 kms. on the most-travelled highways in the country.
License-free riding
Many electric scooter manufacturers produce their scooters in two different speed ranges—one being the regular range and the other, a lower range. The low-speed variant can be driven without a license and quite safely so, as their maximum speed limit is 25 kmph. Thanks to this, amateur riders can commute daily without having to go through the hassle of getting a license right off the bat. The low-speed scooters, instead of coming with a number plate, have a green notice.
Advanced features
Electric bikes and scooters come with an advanced feature set that most traditional two-wheelers lack. These features are designed for the maximum convenience of the owner and make getting from point A to point B infinitely easier.
While some e-scooters and e-bikes come with something as simple yet impactful as LED lighting or reverse mode, some are AI-enabled, have digital instrument clusters complete with navigation, directions to nearby charging points, Bluetooth connectivity, and even support for incoming calls.
The Cons
High cost of entry
The hefty cost of the high-end electric two-wheeler models may be a lot to shoulder for the average Indian consumer. While the running costs of these EVs are significantly lesser than those of petrol-powered bikes and scooters, the initial cost of purchasing one is a huge investment that many may not be willing to make. Accessories and spare parts for electric two-wheelers are also relatively more expensive.
Low range
While electric four-wheelers have enough space to hold multiple large batteries, the same cannot be said about electric two-wheelers. The limited space within electric scooters and bikes usually permits smaller batteries as a result of which they have very limited range. High-end e-bike and scooter models have an average range of roughly 100 kms. on a single charge. This range is less than sufficient for travelling long distances and can only be used for short to mid-range commutes.
Inadequate charging infrastructure
Since the EV trend is yet to catch on in this country, charging points are few in number and only to be found in some metro cities. As a result, electric two-wheelers mostly have to be charged at home. If your vehicle has a lithium-ion battery, it would be possible to take it out and charge it inside your home. Lead-acid batteries, however, are not removable which makes the electric bike or scooter quite inconvenient to charge. In this case, an AC charger and a 5 or 15-ampere plug point are required using which can take the vehicle a minimum of 5 hours to charge.
The lack of proper charging infrastructure for electric two-wheelers is certainly one of the least appealing aspects of owning one. Without an efficient charging infrastructure in place, ‘range anxiety’ is bound to take over and deter mass adoption of this mode of transport.
Limited Service Reach
Another hurdle in the country’s electric vehicle drive, the very limited service reach for electric scooters and bikes can make it quite challenging for owners to make repairs to or maintain their vehicle. Repair centers are sparse across the country and spare parts are rather difficult to come by. Most leading models are also available exclusively in a select few tier-1 cities and metros, making it difficult for buyers from other parts of the country to adopt electric two-wheelers at the moment.
Although it is only a matter of time until more such service centers dedicated to EVs crop up countrywide, the wait could be inconvenient for those looking to use their e-bike or e-scooter as a daily mode of transportation.
Verdict
There are quite a few speed bumps, both in the corporate landscape as well as in policies, that stand in the way of the widespread popularity of electric two-wheelers in India. Once these issues are addressed properly, the boons of owning an electric bike or scooter will be many. If you are looking to purchase an electric two-wheeler in India, weighing the pros and cons mentioned in this article could be useful in making an informed decision.
