E2Ws are essentially battery-operated vehicles that come packed with a whole lot of goodness.
Low-speed electric Scooters that have top speeds of 25 kmph: To own and ride one, you would not require vehicle registration, driving license or insurance. This type is suitable for almost everyone - from teenagers to adults to moms to older people, and even businesses for commercial purposes.
High-speed electric scooters that have top speed above 25 kmph: The ones that use advanced batteries, such as Lithium-ion Batteries (LIB), are also eligible for a subsidy of Rs. 10,000 per kWh (kilo-watt-hour) of battery capacity. Many state governments have waived off road tax on these vehicles. They are suitable for college students and office goers.
Electric scooters are the future.
Myth 1: EVs do not have enough range.
Fact: As per Economic Times average daily commute distance in India is 25 km to 30 km. Electric scooters offer a range of 50 kms to 100 kms on a single charge. Range anxiety is just a myth.
Myth 2: Batteries are expensive and need to be replaced frequently.
Fact: The average life-time of a lithium-ion battery is 60,000 kms. Someone who rides 6,000 kms per year, needs to replace battery once in 10 years. Government of India has taken initiatives to promote battery manufacturing in India. This along with new innovations in this field would bring down the cost of batteries in the future.
Myth 3: EVs are uneconomical.
Fact: The average running cost for an E2W ranges from Rs 0.15 to 0.25 per km of commute. A petrol vehicle, on the other hand, costs Rs. 1.5 to 2 per km.
Moreover, Electric scooters have a very low maintenance cost. This is because an E2W requires no oil change, has fewer moving parts, and competent cooling systems.
Myth 4: EVs take too long to charge.
Fact: There are new E2W models available which require only 2-3 hours to fully charge. Most of E2Ws need only 5-6 hours to charge fully. Moreover, the range of these vehicles is between 50 kms to 100 kms per charge. For an average daily commute of 25 kms, charging once every 2 days is adequate. Additionally, an E2W can be charged at home, office, restaurants, or malls - basically anywhere a plug point is available.
Myth 5: Electric scooters have low top-speed.
Fact: There are two types of E2Ws, low-speed and high-speed. Low speed scooters have top speeds up to 25 kmph. High-speed electric scooters have top speeds over 25kmph. A bunch of attractive models with top speeds over 75 kmph are also available now.
Myth 6: There are only a few buying options for E2Ws.
Fact: There are more than 100 models of Electric scooters from 40+ brands available in the market. The starting price of E2W is around Rs. 25,000. The government is working on increasing the manufacturing and the promotion of EVs in India. A huge amount of investment is being done to incorporate the latest technology to encourage brands to produce more EVs in India.
Myth 7: E2Ws are heavy and are inconvenient to ride.
Fact: E2Ws are lightweight owing to the absence of heavy parts like the fuel tank and gearbox. The only major components include the battery and a motor. These also come with the benefits of easier handling, no vibrations, and less fatigue while riding. All-in-all, making daily rides a lot more relaxed and convenient.