Electric Scooters in India: Most Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1)
The Indian automotive market has seen a sudden surge in demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The recent increase in fuel prices has compelled people to look for an alternative mode of transportation that is affordable, sustainable, and reliable. As two-wheelers have always been the ‘vehicle of choice’ for the common Indian consumer, Bounce is trying to make e-scooters more mainstream by solving critical issues with electric two-wheelers (E2Ws). However, we do understand that when it comes to e-scooters, consumers might still have some reservations. This is a part of a two-series blog where we try to address the most common questions that consumers might have about electric scooters in India.
Q.1. Why are electric scooters expensive?
Electric scooters run on either Lithium-ion batteries or lead-acid batteries. Most of these batteries are imported in India and this is the reason why e-scooters are tagged at a premium price. However, the Indian government has introduced the FAME II subsidies that substantially reduce the price of e-scooters to make them competitive with their conventional counterparts.
At Bounce, we recognized this issue and have recently launched our unique e-scooter: the Bounce Infinity E1 which is affordable for all. The E1 comes with a removable battery that gives the consumer the freedom to own it in their own way. Consumers can either buy the E1 with the battery or without it which makes it the ideal choice for anyone looking to buy an e-scooter. As we have removed the battery out of the equation, we have been successful in cutting down costs by 40% and you can now purchase the E1 at INR 45,099 (ex-showroom Delhi) only.
Q.2. Are electric scooters good for last-mile transport?
By design, e-scooters are an ideal choice to ensure last-mile connectivity. They are portable, lightweight, don’t occupy a lot of space, and can be easily ridden through busy urban roads. Additionally, they operate on 1/6th running cost as compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, while carrying a similar payload and providing a seamless experience to the rider. However, with the present EV infrastructure, electric scooters might not be the best possible solution for last-mile transportation as charging vehicles becomes a practical concern for riders.
However, at Bounce we are ready to transform the current scenario of EV infrastructure in India. We have plans to build the world’s largest and densest battery swapping stations that will support our customers with easy battery swaps at every 2kms. Our network will effectively solve all last-mile transportation issues. Besides this, we are offering a one-of-a-kind e-scooter: the Infinity E1, which has a smart ergonomic design built for a slick ride. Our scooter weighs 94 kgs and has 1500 W motor power. With a top speed of 65kmph, we provide a good balance of performance and efficiency. E1 has a 2kw/h battery which is waterproof and can be used in all weather conditions. It also has a fully-equipped digital speedometer highlighting all the necessary vehicle information ‘on the go’.
Q.3. How and where to charge electric scooters?
Electric scooters with removable batteries are fairly easy to charge as all one needs to do is plug in a charger and connect the scooter to the plug point. Most e-scooters take anywhere between 2–6 hours to fully charge.
Bounce dual ownership model offers to charge convenience for all users. If you buy the E1 without the battery, you don’t have to bother about charging stations and, when and where to charge your scooter. Just use the Bounce app to locate our nearest battery swapping station. Our stations operate just like any other fuel station where customers can drop in to swap their near-empty batteries for a fully charged one. In case, you are buying the Infinity E1 with the battery, you can stop searching for parking spaces with charging infrastructure. Our batteries can be easily removed from the scooter with a simple click of a button. Once you remove the battery, you can easily carry it and connect it to a socket using our portable charger anywhere in your home or at work. Our batteries take 4–5 hours to charge and a full charge offers a range of 85 km.
In our next blog, we will be answering more burning questions related to electric scooters in India. Stay tuned!
