Petrol and diesel have allowed us to transport ourselves from place to place at relatively affordable rates for decades. This, however, came at a severe cost to the environment – the burning of these oils has a significant impact on our environment, and also, we have a limited supply that is quickly running out. Thus, the hunt for alternative energy sources began. While new-age companies such as Tesla and Ola spearhead the electronic revolution, fossil-fuel-based companies are now coming out with their own electric offerings, from cars to trucks to scooters. In this article, let's juxtapose electric scooters vs petrol scooters to assess whether you should jump onto the new hype train of electric transport.
Electric scooters, also known as EVs (Electric Vehicles), use electricity as fuel. As per their operation type, they could operate fully or partially on electricity. The electric scooters in the current market use lithium-ion batteries to power themselves. The lithium-ion batteries offer longer energy retention and battery capacity. These scooters have significantly contributed to the reduction of carbon emission. Additionally, electric scooters are cost effective as compared to other fuel-powered vehicles.
Petrol scooters are a very popular form of commute in India. Many riders prefer petrol scooters since petrol is extremely easy to access across the country. Another reason why many prefer petrol scooters is their ability for long-distance travel. Moreover, the availability of petrol scooter models is higher than that of electric scooters. The higher demand and sale of these scooters could be a result of a petrol scooter’s easy maintenance, dependability and durability.
Let’s jump to the chase, shall we? Here’s a detailed analysis and comparison of petrol scooters between electric scooters.
The Petrol Scooter
The first of the two is the comparison between electric scooters and petrol scooters. There are a plethora of benefits to the petrol scooter. For starters, the cost of purchase is not that high, making it less of a financial burden. In addition to this, the compactness of scooters makes it easier to operate on Indian roads. Third, the fuel consumption is very low, and thus allows you to travel longer distances. This puts the petrol scooter ahead in the battle between the electric scooter vs regular scooter.
However, one must note that a lot of these benefits shine through when the petrol scooter is being pitted against a car. In a battle between the petrol scooter vs electric scooter, however, the results might not be the same.
The Electric Scooter
In a debate of electric vs petrol scooter, the electric scooter is the newer of the lot. The only thing it has in common with its petrol alternative is their appearance. On the inside, however, your electric scooter is more akin to a TV remote than a petrol scooter. Upon pressing the throttle, a signal is sent to the battery to discharge power to the motors, which causes your electric scooter to move. There are a number of advantages the electric scooter has in a comparison between electric scooter and petrol scooter. However, is it worth switching to yet?
The Comparison
Factor |
Electric Scooter |
Petrol Scooter |
Price |
The price of an electric scooter is likely to be higher than that of a petrol scooter. This is in part due to manufacturing processes for an electric scooter being more expensive. In addition, with limited demand to start with, companies cannot benefit from economies of scale to bring down the price. However, you can offset the price difference when it comes to recharging, which is not nearly as expensive or volatile as refuelling.
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Due to the extremely high demand that petrol scooters have garnered over the years in the country, manufacturers can benefit from economies of scale and keep the prices down. However, a considerable amount of the cost of owning a petrol scooter comes from the petrol, the price of which is high, and volatile as well.
|
Cost of Fuel |
The cost of fuel is one of the biggest aspects that gives the electric scooter a point in this debate. An electric scooter is 75% more efficient, meaning you can travel 1 km at 15% of the price of what 1 km of travel would take you on a petrol scooter.
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The price of fuel is doomed to be high, as it is a finite resource that we are quickly running out of. In India specifically, any reduction in costs is not passed on to the customers, and thus, you are likely to be stuck paying high fuel costs for the future. This is one key difference between electric scooter and petrol scooter. |
Maintenance |
Maintenance takes a point away from the electric scooter in the petrol vs electric scooter battle. Due to the technology being relatively new, there are not enough garages or parts available to repair the electric scooters. This reduction in supply is also likely to result in higher maintenance costs for the electric scooter. |
Here, the petrol scooter wins a point. Due to the large manufacturing numbers and an infinite number of garages, maintaining and repairing a petrol scooter is extremely easy and cost-efficient. Parts are also available at affordable prices and at short notice |
Range |
The comparison between electric scooter and petrol scooter will highlight a ‘range’ specification for electric scooters. This highlights how far the scooter can go in one charge. While companies continue to expand this range, the charging infrastructure is lacking. |
Due to the high density of petrol pumps, it is safe to say that this round goes to the petrol scooter. While electric scooters might evolve to run longer ranges, if you run out of fuel on your petrol scooter, you can simply refuel at the nearest station, which is not going to be too far away. |
Convenience |
Electric scooters are convenient because you can simply set them to charge when you get home and build a routine around this schedule. If you have to travel longer distances this might cause an inconvenience. |
Having to constantly visit a petrol pump is an inconvenient task. However, this also means you never face the inconvenience of being stranded, as there are petrol pumps widely available. |
Electric scooters are likely to be the way forward in the future. However, is it the right time to switch over? There are a number of benefits that electric scooters offer you, but the difference between electric scooter and petrol scooter in part is the infrastructure available to support them. To this degree, the petrol scooter still leaps ahead. The question, though, is for how long. Regardless of whether your scooter is petrol or electric, you are going to require insurance for it. The Bajaj Markets website has a wide list of offerings at all price points. Visit the Bajaj Markets website to purchase insurance for your electric scooter today.
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FAQs on Electric Scooter vs Petrol Scooter
How does an electric scooter work?
An electric scooter consists of a motor, throttle and battery. When you press the throttle, it sends a signal to the battery to dispense power which turns the motor on.
Are electric scooters safe?
Electric scooters are as safe as petrol scooters, provided you make sure you are following all safety guidelines.
Are electric scooters eco-friendly?
Electric scooters offer significant environmental benefits over their petrol counterparts due to them not burning fuel.
How much does it cost to refuel an electric scooter?
The cost of refuelling an electric scooter ranges from ₹6 to ₹14 for a full charge.
Can you use electric scooters in the rain?
Electric Scooter manufacturers currently recommend that you don’t do so.
Is electric scooter better than petrol?
Electric scooters are definitely more cost-efficient than petrol scooters. They are also kinder to the environment since they don’t extract from the fuel reserves of this planet. Even though it may have its limitations as compared to petrol scooters, an electric scooter can be the perfect fit for you if saving money and the planet are your goals.
Which is better: electric scooter or petrol scooter?
When it comes to the debate of electric scooter vs petrol scooter, the argument weighs equally heavy on both sides. While electric scooters are cost-efficient and environment friendly, petrol scooters focus on longevity and are convenient. The choice, in the end, boils down to various factors such as your budget, your priorities and your needs.
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