Are you in the market to choose your preferred mode of urban travel? The urban two-wheeler landscape is fast evolving with the introduction of electric scooters as the real deal. These smart vehicles have captured the fancy of modern India like never before, with sales steadily going off the charts. Clearly, in the debate of electric scooter vs petrol scooter, the former is winning with elan.
If you have owned a scooter before, chances are that it has to be a traditional petrol scooter. Since you are familiar with its experience, it’s time to move on to something entirely different. Compared to traditional two-wheelers, electric scooters have some clear advantages. The first aspect that will impress you is the absence of poisonous exhaust fumes. You would also like the smooth and silent operation of these vehicles.
Various factors come into play while you make the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy. The first obstacle you will probably face is a conservative mindset. Thinking of two-wheeler technology, most people can’t think outside the box of fossil fuels.
However, the scenario is rapidly changing as environmental consciousness is on the rise. Modern India is looking into a green future where the roads will be free from traffic pollution. Armed with such an advanced outlook, you would automatically opt for electric scooters.
Electric scooters or e-scooters are new-age alternatives for urban short-distance travel. They have several advantages over their ancestral petrol fuel variants.
An electric scooter runs on an electric motor that is powered by a battery instead of petrol. You have two battery variants, the Lithium and the gel. The battery needs to be charged from time to time, to keep the scooter running. You do not necessarily have to visit the fuel station to find a charging point. The battery can be charged at home or the office. The mileage varies, with some scooters covering up to 135 km on a full charge.
As you are busy calculating electric scooter vs petrol scooter touchpoints, it would seem like a cakewalk for EVs. Frankly, nothing speaks more of cool status on the road than wheezing by your brand-new swanky electric scooter. These are extremely lightweight and can easily squeeze in the most congested traffic scenarios.
The compact and eco-friendly models are ideal for short-distance travel. The small-town scene in India has been always associated with a scooter in almost every household. Now is the time to level up that game with a vibrant electric scooter.
The best part about electric scooters is their no-reliance on fossil fuels. No petrol, no diesel, just electricity: this is the mantra to live by! These scooters run on rechargeable batteries. Some models are also available with portable USB batteries. Charging time takes anywhere from 4 hours to 6 hours, depending on the scooter you are using.
Check out the following advantages of choosing electric scooters.
Long story short, you do not have to worry about a pollution certificate by using an electric scooter. These zero-emission scooters are extremely convenient if you need a vehicle to move around the city.
The cherry on the cake is the fact that you don’t spend a dime at fuel stations. Over the years that you will be using the EV, you are going to save thousands in fuel costs. The fuel price volatility in India has been one of the key driving factors for shifting to electric vehicles.
Another amazing advantage of electric scooters is the completely noiseless operation they have. In some models, you can accelerate from 0 km/h to 40 km/h within 4 seconds, and that too, without the familiar noise of the combustion engine. Features like these make it an obvious choice when you are trying to compare electric scooter vs petrol scooter.
Electric scooter sales have skyrocketed in recent years. The manufacturers registered a 26% year-to-year growth from January 2023 to January 2024. The total number of units sold in January 2024 is 81,343, and the numbers are steadily growing. The environment-conscious Indian buyers are shifting towards sustainability as the preferred option in the long run.
Everything has its pros and cons. Electric scooters are not exceptions. Check out the following potential disadvantages of owning an electric scooter.
Many users report that lightweight electric scooters often have trouble carrying two people due to limited power. However, this may be more of a myth as manufacturers design scooters by default to carry two people.
One of the main problems is that not all areas have adequate charging infrastructure. You may have to travel to a small village or town where charging points may be inadequate. However, hopefully, the infrastructure is growing, and charging stations are coming up all over India.
Electricity prices vary, and so will the cost of charging. High electricity prices in some regions can make electric scooters inconvenient.
One of the main disadvantages of switching to electric scooters is not technical, but psychological. Since you are familiar with petrol scooters, shifting to electric may require a long adjustment period. However, you can be sure of the fact that it is going to be a fun ride.
Look up the following popular options for electric scooters.
The Ather 450X is the primary choice for many users due to its advanced features. Its super fast acceleration can reach from 0 to 40 km/hr within 3.3 seconds. It can drive at a top speed of 90km/hr. Two power variants are available. The 3.7kWh battery has a certified range of 150 km.
The TVS iQube is a reliable option with sufficient features to cover your day-to-day requirements. Features include a top speed of 70 km/h and a 100 km range on full battery. Other features include the carry-along charger, the multifunctional touchscreen dashboard, and a smart LED headlight with DRL.
Look up the following scooter reviews that did not pass the mark.
Although Ola S1 Pro is a popular model, it may not be suitable for everyone. Its disadvantages include a non-portable battery, limited leg space, and reduced storage space. There may be issues with safety and rapid battery degradation.
It's a new entrant to the market. It has not been tested thoroughly. You would hardly find any reviews for this brand.
Like the above, this is also a lesser-known model with limited reviews. It remains to be tested thoroughly to find out its pros and cons.
Here is a summary of all the points why you would choose the former when you compare electric scooter vs petrol scooter.
Electric scooters are proving themselves to be the real winner when you consider features like operation, speed, range, and charging cost.
With the advanced safety features, these scooters are better when compared to petrol scooters. However, all facts considered, they may not be perfectly suitable for long-distance travel, primarily due to charging inconvenience. It takes hours to charge and charging stations are often few and far between
Electric scooters are remarkably affordable along with the promise of savings that they entail. You can easily compare the costs of different electric scooter models from resources like this and pick the best option.
The best part is that these scooters are eco-friendly. There would be no toxic fumes, making India cleaner and greener, one scooter at a time.
.svg)
