While four-wheelers seem to dominate upscale fantasy in India, the electric scooters market has been witness to a quiet revolution of sorts. Manufacturers report that demand for these two-wheelers has skyrocketed in recent months, with a growth rate well over seven times compared to three years ago.
A company that was selling up to only 200 units a month only 3 years ago, has upped its production lines to meet the demand for more- than 15,000 monthly units. The ‘revolution’ entails much more than it meets the eye! Besides helping buyers from the volatility of fuel costs, these no-carbon footprint scooters can go a long way into a greener and cleaner future India.
As the colorful two-wheelers offer a wholesome deal, it’s high time that you consider buying an electric scooter and ride along the road to a brighter future.
Shifting from conventional two-wheelers to electric scooters entails several benefits. First, of course, is that these vehicles are extremely low maintenance. With technological advancement in battery power, a single charge can take the scooter long distances without having to worry about refueling.
With their easy controls, they are convenient for just about anyone, even for complete beginners. These scooters have relatively fewer moving parts than their traditional counterparts, making them easy to maintain on long-term. The chance of a breakdown is also minimal. In addition, these are financially attractive options, aided by Government subsidies and lower registration fees.
Government bodies such as the CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) have repeatedly emphasized that two-wheeler pollution is a huge menace that needs to be curbed at the earliest. According to the latest data, they contribute to 32% of pollution on the road, running on Bharat Stage IV petrol.
The EV vehicle scenario in India is not an isolated subset. Given the dire environmental concerns, policymakers everywhere are pushing towards a zero-emission future. With every passing summer, this concern is becoming more and more real. To put it in context, February 2023 was the hottest on record in India since 1901!
Electric scooters are stable investments in the long run. These swift machines run on advanced electric technology, which means that you save a wholesome amount by avoiding the cost of fuel. If you add up the years in which you would use the scooter, you will find that you would have saved a lot by making this choice early on.
Manufacturers have been quick to guess the shifting trend from traditional units to electric scooters. Just name it! In fact, given the scenario, consumers have no lack of options when picking up an electric scooter.
Renowned manufacturers such as Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors are offering electric vehicles to Indian consumers. Other top players include Hero Electric, Ather Energy, SupertechEV, and Ola Electric. One of the best options is the Bounce Infinity, which you can get within 90,000 Rs. Other competitor markets include Bikewale, Bikedekho, and Zigwheels India.
The latest data reveals that Ola Electric has captured the fancy of Indian consumers with 21% market share. Okinawa and Hero Electric have 13% and 12% market shares, following Ola. Other top players in this category include Ampere, Ather Energy, and TVS Motor.
At its core, electric vehicle technology is evolving, and is expensive. It’s a high-end offering that would typically require you to shell out more upfront costs compared to their fuel-operated counterparts. However, thanks to government subsidies such as the FAME 2 program, consumers can buy these vehicles at a much lesser cost compared to without subsidies.
Since the government is encouraging the adoption of these vehicles, there’s a lot of trust factor for the average consumer to choose these vehicles. After weighing the pros and cons, in the context of encouragement from the government, a lot of people are choosing to buy these vehicles.
Government subsidies are playing an important role. Particularly to credit, is the FAME policy rolled out in 2019. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India has bankrolled more than 100 billion rupees to subsidize the purchase of EVs. A scooter that would cost up to 30% more than its diesel-powered equivalent without subsidies, is available at only 15-20% of the cost. Other initiatives include lower GST rates and direct incentives.
Buying a two-wheeler has traditionally been the rite of passage of an Indian middle-class household. Unlike Western countries, Indian roads are typically dominated by two-wheelers compared to four-wheelers. In this context, electric scooters are poised to be major game changers.
It may be too early to say that electric scooters have changed the face of two-wheeler transportation in India, but it’s well on its way to stardom. More and more people are becoming conscious of the environmental effects of air and noise pollution. Modern India is looking for an urban mobility vehicle that supports the dream of sustainable transport. Electric scooters effectively fill in this gap of consumer demand.
In the long-term, with the technology becoming more viable, consumers expect to see EVs at a much lesser cost. As with any new technology, increased adaptability inevitably drives down the price, making it easily accessible for everyone. It might not be an exaggeration to state that in a few years, the scooter market will shift from fuel driven to fully electric.
A scooter is not just an investment in India, it has always been an emotional connection with the Indian middle class. Visit any small town in India, and you would see folks riding their scooters for day-to-day affairs. In fact, for many households, buying a new scooter is an occasion to celebrate the bonds that hold an Indian family together.
The electric scooter market is still in a relatively nascent state, but it is evolving rapidly. The main challenge is the availability of charging infrastructure that would make the vehicles viable for long-distance travel. Other issues include the weight of the vehicle, weather sensitivity, and a limited inventory of model varieties. Still, EV entrepreneurs are hopeful that in a few years, Greater India will adapt fast to the inevitable shift into electric vehicles.
Improvement of innovation and technology has a crucial role in familiarizing the EV model of generic urban mobility in India. A lot is left to be done, and things are surely looking sunny with a steady growth in the electric scooters market.
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