Electric mobility in India is evolving and advancing at a rapid pace, with several new EVs being launched every year and companies as well as the government announcing EV-friendly initiatives to encourage its adoption. In the midst of all this, Bangalore-based EV startup Simple Energy is ready to give the electric two-wheeler industry a boost with its upcoming Mark 2 electric scooter. In comparison to the electric scooters currently available in the country, a majority of which are either too expensive or imported from China, the Mark 2 holds immense promise for Indian EV enthusiasts both in terms of specs and value for money.
Quite recently, the company set out to test a camouflaged version of the Mark 2 prototype on the road which essentially means that the final launch is not too far off. Let us take a look at what all the Simple Energy Mark 2 brings to the table.
Simple energy Mark 2 specifications
Although not much has been revealed by the manufacturers regarding the specs of the Mark 2 electric scooter, the little that has been divulged so far seems very promising. Surpassing the Ather 450X, which is powered by a 2.9 kWh battery and is one of the best premium electric scooters currently available in India, the Simple Energy Mark 2 will be propelled by a 4.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. This is certainly several notches above its competitors and will boost its range significantly.
Simple Energy claims a range of 240 km in Eco mode on a single charge for this e-scooter, something that can soothe the range anxiety that keeps away most potential buyers of electric two-wheelers. The top speed of the Mark 2 is a whopping 100 kmph, something that is, once again, highly impressive for an electric scooter. Acceleration of 0 kmph to 50 kmph can be achieved in just 3.6 seconds which beats the Ather 450X.
Like certain other electric two-wheeler models, this scooter too offers three different modes—Eco mode, Normal mode, and Sports mode. With a peak power output of 9.4 hp and torque of 72 Nm, this beast can deliver unmatched riding range and speed. The removable lithium-ion battery pack weighs roughly 6 kg and takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to go from 0 to 100% charge at home. Fast charging is also an option that would take approximately 20 minutes to go from 0 to 50%.
Feature-rich and home grown
On top of all the amazing specs, the Simple Energy Mark 2 has a few more features that make it even more spectacular. The scooter is set to have an under-seat storage unit that is by far the largest on an electric two-wheeler. This means that boot space would be the least of your concern. The scooter also has ample room for a pillion to ride comfortably.
The Mark 2 comprises as much as 79% to 85% locally sourced components with only the battery cells being imported from South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. It is being crafted by skilled hands that have experience working with some of the biggest names in the Indian electric vehicles industry including Ultraviolette Automotive, Ather Energy, and Tork Motors.
The headlight, tail light, and turn signal lamp are all LED and the scooter boasts a design that is sporty and futuristic. It will be equipped with a host of smart features like an LED touchscreen instrument cluster, internet connectivity, Bluetooth navigation, and more. The mid-drive motor is amongst the other standout features.
Price and launch date
Suhas Rajkumar, who is the founder and CEO of Simple Energy, has revealed that the upcoming Mark 2 is to be a premium electric scooter. It will, however, not exceed the 1.1 lakh mark in terms of price. If the company does live up to its promise, the scooter, though not cheap, is set to be excellent value for money, considering the state-of-the-art specifications and ultra-modern features that it is to have on offer.
There have been several speculations regarding the launch date. In all likelihood, large-scale production is to start from July of 2021 and those interested can expect deliveries around September of 2021. The Mark 2 will be made available in dealerships and centers as well as online, on websites such as Flipkart and Amazon.
Closing thoughts
The Simple Energy Mark 2 is a huge step ahead for the electric vehicle industry in India, not only due to its excellent specs and diverse features but also owing to the fact that it will be manufactured entirely from scratch within the country. This upcoming electric two-wheeler holds immense potential and promise and has the power to impact the Indian EV landscape for the better. If you are waiting, like many other EV enthusiasts, on the edge of your seat for the launch of the Mark 2, this article can give you a fairly comprehensive idea of all that you can expect from it.
Featured Image: Simpleenergy.in
