Planning to buy an electric two-wheeler?Here’s what you should know

Posted on: Jan 20, 2022 | | Written by:

Planning to buy an electric two-wheeler?Here’s what you should know

Published on September 14, 2021. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

Electric vehicles, especially e-bikes, are changing the way people commute. They are not dependent on pricey fossil fuels, are good for the environment, feature state-of-the-art technology and look snazzy too.So, if you are looking to buy an electric bike,it is a wise choice. Plus, you can find a wide variety of these electric bikes today, particularly because a number of conventional two-wheeler makers are also introducing electric variations of their new and classic models. And since electric bikes are becoming more high-powered and better every day, there is a greater need to insure them as well. Luckily, most leading insurance companies now offer electric two-wheeler insurance policy. But first, take a look at the factors you must consider before buying an electric bike.

1. Electric bikes have a considerable cost advantage over conventional fuel bikes. They are much cheaper to run and maintain, whereas the purchase cost is almost the same as a petrol bike. With ever-rising fuel costs, you will have a huge advantage with an electric vehicle. And if you ever feel that the electricity prices are getting too high, you can install a solar panel to generate your own power and go green.

2. You must zero in on your main purpose before buying an electric bike. Electric two wheelers are meant for routine riding, for example commuting between home and office. You can also use them for short leisure rides. Electric two-wheelers are not long-range touring vehicles and should not be relied upon for road trips.

3. As mentioned above, the range of e-bikes needs to be kept in mind when driving long distances. With a petrol bike, instant refuelling is a major advantage. It is very easy to splash and dash with petrol bikes. But with electric bikes, refuelling is a time-consuming affair. So, you might be limited to intracity and intercity rides. If you decide to use your e-bike for long distance travel,it will require a lot of planning.

4. Many people tend to get worried about the top speed of electric bikes. This is not really a problem anymore. With the launch of high-power electric bikes, speed is not a concern. The earlier models of electric bikes came with a below 250-watt motor, but the modern bikes come with 800+ watt motors. However, note that these bikes also need a license, registration and two-wheeler insurance policy.

5. Many people also think that electric bikes are very heavy. This misconception still lives probably because the earlier bikes came with multiple lead acid batteries. Each of these batteries are quite heavy and you had to use 3-4 of them. But now, electric bikes come with lithium ion batteries that are comparatively lighter and you only need to use one or two of them.

6. It is super important to go for a test drive before you buy an electric bike because it is different from conventional bikes. With a test drive, you will be able to gauge how it is different from driving a traditional two-wheeler. With an electric bike, the braking power, acceleration and top speed are all slightly different, so a test drive will help you guess what to expect.

7. One key advantage of electric two-wheelers is that there are no gears involved, so you have all the power of the motor available at the touch of the throttle. Petrol vehicles have gears to regulate the power available for wheels, but there is no such need for regulation with electric bikes.

8. Another major advantage of electric bikes is that they are extremely quiet. A bike with a petrol engine will produce a lot of noise, which can often get annoying. Electric bikes, on the other hand, are completely silent.

9. If you are looking to buy an electric bike, first try and identify any electric vehicle charging station on your everyday route. Many electric bikes come with removable batteries, which means you can charge them at home, but some require dedicated charging ports. Also remember that different companies use different charging standards and ports, so it is best to visityour nearby charging station and check if they are up for the job.

10. Make sure you get a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy for your e-bike as it can financially protect you in case of an accident, fire or natural disaster. It is also a legal requirement for electric bikes with motors above 25-watt power and speed more than 25 kmph.

To wrap up, electric bikes are here to stay. So, if you are all set to buy one, make sure you assess your needs and budget, compare different manufacturers and models, weigh the pros and cons, and set aside money for its insurance first.

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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