Electric mobility is the future, and electric scooters lead the charge by being the top two-wheeler category in the EV space. Apart from environmental reasons, a constant rise in fuel prices makes an even stronger case for electric vehicle adoption. Urban cities in India rely heavily on two-wheelers for mobility, and well-specced, economical electric scooters make a lot of sense to suit commuting needs. To further add to their appeal, modern electric scooters have also taken giant strides in performance, range, reliability and features. These modern e-scooters are highly economical when it comes to running costs, and they are pretty desirable too with the ever-improving styling and the technology they offer. There is a wide range of electric scooters available in the market, but what should a prospective buyer look for in these scooters? After all, there is a range of factors that influence the buying decision of a customer. Let’s look at some of the factors you should be mindful of before purchasing an electric scooter.
Range
The range of an electric scooter is one the most crucial aspects to look out for. Range anxiety affects the buying decision of every prospective EV buyer, and an EV manufacturer should be able to address that concern suitably. Buyers should compare the range offered by the available options, check whether it is commensurate with their respective price tags, and then decide. A good electric scooter should have a certified range which should suffice one’s daily commuting needs. A real-world range of 75km or thereabouts should be ideal for the majority of the consumers going by the prevalent technology and range offered by some good scooters from some of the most reputable EV makers.
Charging options
The infrastructure for electric charging stations is currently growing, and it is still some time away from being readily available across the country. Such being the case, most buyers have to charge their scooters at their homes or workplace. Buyers, thus, need to be aware of the charging options offered by the manufacturers. Do they provide the option of installing wall box chargers? Can the scooter be charged via a conventional three-point outlet? Does it get an option of both AC and DC charging? These questions should be asked before zeroing on the final list. Also, while EV charging infrastructure is not as widespread as traditional fuel bunks, some EV makers are offering a reasonably well spread out public charging infrastructure in select cities. It might help to check whether such an option is provided in your city by the makers of the models you’ve shortlisted.
Charging time
The charging time of electric scooters shouldn’t be too long. This ensures that the downtime to charge the scooter is well worth it, and you can cover the maximum distance possible in the least possible time. A charge time of 4-5 hours for about 80% of the battery capacity via a conventional 3-point plug should be ideal.
Battery capacity
The capabilities of a scooter, like its range, speed, and charging times, depending on the battery's capacity. New age lithium-ion batteries are much evolved. These modern batteries offer ample range along with an excellent top speed. A 2-2.5 kwh lithium-ion battery should easily provide a range of 75km and a top speed of 75kmph or thereabouts, which would satisfy most of your daily needs.
Battery warranty
Battery replacement is one of the highest costs associated with owning an electric two-wheeler. One should, therefore, always take a good look at the battery warranty offered by the manufacturer. Warranties are time as well as usage bound. A three-year battery warranty with about 50,000km of mileage is considered pretty good. Another factor to consider is the cost of replacement for these batteries. Since it’s a new technology, it’s relatively expensive as of date, though it is bound to become cheaper as time goes by and becomes more common. Make sure that you have a good understanding of how much the batteries would cost when you replace them and factor that cost while calculating your overall cost of ownership in the long term.
Performance
Electric scooters of yore had an image of being slow off the line and lacking in terms of top speed. This is not the case anymore, thanks to the higher capacity modern batteries replacing the older, inefficient varieties. In fact, many electric scooters can give conventional internal combustion two-wheelers a run for their money when it comes to acceleration. Thanks to the lack of gears and an engine, electric scooters offer instant torque allowing for quick and linear acceleration. Modern electric scooters can also easily achieve speeds of up to 80kmph, which is more than enough for city use.
Lugging capabilities
Electric scooters shouldn’t be inferior to an internal combustion scooter when it comes to load carrying or lugging capabilities. Your electric scooter should be capable enough to ride over varying conditions such as steep slopes and on highways. It should also be powerful enough to carry the rider's weight and pillion without any drastic effect on its performance. Many electric scooters perform poorly when the charge falls below a certain level. A scooter that offers consistent performance irrespective of the charge is ideal.
Practicality
Scooters, in general, are more practical compared to motorcycles, and electric scooters should be no different. With the absence of a fuel tank, electric scooters can have a much more spacious boot. The boot should be enough to accommodate a helmet and other small items.
Technology
Electric scooters set themselves apart from conventional scooters by offering more advanced technology. This is not just limited to the powertrain but also other features on offer. Features like reversing mode, different ride modes (Eco / Sport), regenerative braking, silent and vibration-free operation are some of the distinct technological advantages of an electric scooter. They also offer features offered on IC engine scooters such as an LED lighting setup, charging port for mobile phones and side stand indicator. Apart from this, a comprehensive digital display with vital trip information, range and mode display, connected features such as Bluetooth, navigation, call handling and geo-fencing should be available on an electric scooter to ensure that it isn’t outdated too soon.
Ride and handling balance
Despite the lack of a fuel tank and an engine, electric scooters are typically as heavy as internal combustion scooters due to the heavy battery pack. Hence, an electric scooter should have a good ride and handling balance. It shouldn’t be too stiff to cause discomfort, nor should it be too soft to compromise dynamic ability at high speeds. Braking should be good too, with front disc brakes and a combined braking system as standard to ensure optimum braking.
Reliability
Electric technology is relatively new, and it is witnessing significant breakthroughs every day. The electric scooters you buy should feature a reasonably contemporary battery pack and sophisticated battery management software. It should also be robust and reliable enough. An electric scooter from a well-known and trusted manufacturer will make for a better option than a new brand.
Maintenance and after-sales
Electric scooters are a lot more economical to maintain than conventional scooters. The only parts which would require occasional replacement or maintenance would be the tyres and brakes. That doesn’t, however, mean that you should ignore the after-sales support offered by the maker. A widespread after-sales service network will help achieve quick repairs and replacement, and therefore better ownership experience.
Price
Electric scooters are more or less on par with conventional scooters when it comes to price. A modern electric scooter with all the qualities mentioned earlier should cost around or slightly more than the INR 1 lakh mark. However, what matters more is that the scooter should come across as a value for money proposition at the given price after considering all the aforementioned factors. Another thing to consider is the subsidy benefits from the government. The government of India has introduced subsidies for electric vehicles to push electric mobility. This has helped manufacturers reduce their products' prices and offer EVs to customers at a more affordable price. However, the subsidy passed on to the customer varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Carrying out a price comparison and benefits will help you get a better idea of which EV maker is passing a higher percentage of the subsidy to the customer.
