Keep this guide handy when you shop for an electric two-wheeler

Posted on: Jan 27, 2022 | | Written by:

Keep this guide handy when you shop for an electric two-wheeler

Published on February 16, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Electric two-wheelers are undoubtedly the next big thing in personal mobility in India,a country that already has the world’s largest two-wheeler rider base.Moreover, ever-increasing fuel prices are pushing people to look for more affordable and sustainable alternatives. People are becoming more aware about the pollution caused by fossil fuels like petrol and diesel as well. So, if you are looking to buy an electric two-wheeler, now is the perfect time to do so. However, there are a few things you need to know first. Read on.

Incentives and Subsidies Everywhere

The governments of many states as well as the union government have announced multiple subsidy schemes under the FAME 2 plan as well as similar plans, which have cut down the cost of electric two-wheelers by a significant margin. In some cases, you can get as much as one third of the cost discount when purchasing an electric bike. Mostly, these subsidies are available from the dealer end, though in some cases, it comes to the buyer’s bank account after the purchase.

Registration and Insurance for Electric Bikes

Like any conventional two-wheeler, high speed electric bikes that can go above 25 kmph need to be registered with the RTO and you need mandatory bike insurance third party cover for them. The good news is that the central government has now removed all fees for assignment of new registration marks as well as for issue or renewal of registration marks.

Things to know before you buy an electric two-wheeler

One of the best thingsyou need to know about electric two-wheelers is that they are now affordable. Thanks to generous subsidies as well as economies of scale,electric bikes are not as expensive as before.
Electric two-wheelers have now overcome the speed limitations that the earlier models came with. Unlike the old models that used underpowered motors, the modern electric two-wheelers can easily reach 80 kmph and even 100 kmph speeds.
Since modern electric bikes use advanced chemistry batteries like lithium ion, unlike the old ones which used lead acid batteries, once charged, the new two-wheelers can travel longer distances. This means that they have more than enough mileage for city use.
Older electric bikes that came with lead acid batteries had limited battery life. They had charge cycles in hundreds as opposed to the thousands of charge cycles that modern lithium based batteries last for.
Motor power was a concern with earlier electric bikes as they used smaller motors to preserve battery life and get more range. As a result, they were not able to go on steep inclines and slowed down with two people. Stronger motors have now eliminated this problem.
The government is investing a lot of money and effort in setting up electric vehicle charging stations, but since most electric two-wheelers can be charged with domestic electric outlets, you do not need to wait for charging stations to increase in numbers.
Unlike conventional fuel two-wheelers which require frequent oil changes and engine tuning and overhauls as well as PUC tests, the maintenance cost of electric two-wheelers is just about 10-15% of the same.The only reason you need to visit a service centre is if you meet with an accident or just for general lubrication etc.
Most new electric two-wheelers are being launched by well-known brands that already have considerable market presence with their conventional vehicles. Hence, you can rely on after sales support being available when needed.
Unlike earlier electric two-wheelers that were made of light and low-quality materials to keep their cost and weight low, the new electric bikes are made of top-quality parts and materials.
With advancement in battery technology, meteor technology as well as with the usage of higher quality parts, the reliability of electric two-wheelers has increased by a significant margin.
As more and more electric vehicle companies are moving to lithium batteries and high-quality parts, they can offer longer warranties and stand by them.
Since there is no petrol involved and prices of electricity tend to be rather stable, the running cost of electric two-wheelers is quite low. Plus, if you have rooftop solar at home, youcan save on electricity charges as well.
The cost of insurance for electric two wheelers is similar to that of petrol-based two-wheelers. This is regardless of whether you want to buy bike insurance third partycover or a comprehensive bike insurance policy.
Keep in mind that if you are buying an electric two wheeler that has the ability to go at speeds in excess of 25 kmph, or has a motor of more than 250 watts installed, you will need to get a driving license and get the vehicle registered with the RTO before you can use it.

All in all, electric two-wheelers are likely to overpower their conventional fuel-based counterparts in the years to come. But before you buy an electric bike, keep the above pointers in mind and make sure you have all the necessary documentation in place.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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