Electric Bike Advantages And Disadvantages

Overview On Electric Bikes in India

Year by year, the levels of air pollution have been increasing in India and around the world. The main causes of rising levels of air pollution are industrial emissions and pollutants emitted every day by billions of vehicles. As a result, over the past few years, electric vehicles like e-bikes and e scooters have seen a rise in popularity in India. However, if you are planning to buy one, it is important to understand the pros and cons of electric bikes. In this article, we’ll take a look at the electric bike and electric scooter advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages of using Electric Bikes and Scooters

The electric vehicles industry is slowly revolutionising the automobile sector with more efficient and powerful electric vehicles that are being released every year. There are many advantages and disadvantages of electric scooters and bikes, but the advantages outweigh the negatives. 

• Environmentally friendly

Of the electric bike advantages and disadvantages, the biggest selling point for electric two-wheelers is that they are environmentally friendly. They do not burn fossil fuels, nor do they produce smoke, curbing air pollution in the process. This, however, is under debate as the electricity required for charging these scooters is going to be majorly produced by burning coal, which is the largest source of electricity in the country. Unless the government comes up with cleaner sources of electricity, this may not be the best eco-friendly alternative. That being said, electric vehicles are significantly more environmentally friendly as compared to fuel-powered vehicles. 

• Lower Running Cost

While electric bikes and scooters are a tad more expensive to purchase as compared to regular two-wheelers, the amount of money you will save on fuel in the long term makes this an extremely economical choice. With rising fuel costs, more and more people are turning to electric vehicles for lower running costs. 

• Maintenance 

When looking at electric scooter pros and cons, one main advantage is that there are no complex mechanisms. As a result, the maintenance cost of electric bikes is much lower in comparison to regular vehicles.

• Storage Space

Electric scooters do not house as many mechanical parts as regular bikes and scooters and thus they have a large storage space that can be used to transport a variety of objects. 

• Low Noise 

Most vehicles produce a lot of noise while being driven. When you step out on a busy street, you can hear dozens of vehicles contributing to noise pollution. Another point in the list of advantages of electric bikes is that they barely make any sound, if at all. 

• Lightweight 

Electric scooters are relatively simple and have fewer parts. This makes them compact and easy to park. The lightweight also makes it easy for a driver, since the heavier the vehicle, the more difficult it is to drive it. Among the pros and cons of e bikes, the low weight and compact structure also make it possible to bring your scooter indoors during the rains.

Disadvantages of Electric Scooters and Bikes  

Post the pros in the list of pros and cons of e scooters, here’s a look at the few disadvantages you need to be aware of: 

• Battery Life

Electric batteries need to be replaced once they are damaged or once they no longer give a good range. Batteries usually last for a year, and cost Rs.13,000-20,000, depending on the rating, brand, quality, and warranties.

• Range

The range of an electric scooter is the distance that it will cover in a single charge. The average range of the top electric scooter models in India is 100 km. Moreover, the range decreases with the life of the battery. It takes a good 5 hours to recharge the battery, so it might not be a great option for long-distance travel.

• Repair and maintenance

Among the pros and cons of e-bikes, repairs can be a matter of concern as few repair centres or spare parts dealers are available for this new mode of transport. However, over time, as electric vehicles become more popular, repair services will become more mainstream and easily accessible. 

• Lack of Infrastructure

In many developed countries where electric vehicles are mainstream, charging stations can be found every few kilometres. People can stop and charge their e-cars or e-bikes at the charging stations. However, India barely has any such infrastructure, so taking your electric vehicles for a long ride becomes next to impossible. 

• Power

When electric vehicles were first introduced in India, they had very low power and could not be driven at high speeds. Eventually, faster e-bikes and e-scooters have been introduced but they are still no match for fuel-powered two-wheelers. Low driving speed is one of the major disadvantages of an electric scooter. 

Insurance for Your Electric Vehicle 

Now that you are aware of the pros and cons of electric bikes, you should look into getting insurance for your vehicle. As per the updated Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, all vehicle owners must have third-party insurance for their vehicle, including electric vehicles. However, finding the right insurance plan for an electric vehicle can be quite troublesome. Fortunately, many insurance companies have started offering specific insurance plans for electric vehicles. 

If you are looking to buy insurance for your bike or scooter, you can take a look at the various electric two-wheeler insurance plans available at Finserv MARKETS and choose one that suits your needs. Insurance plans on Finserv MARKETS come with value-added benefits like cashless facility at 4000+ garages across India and round the clock bike roadside assistance. 

Check Out Bike Insurance Plans Available at Bajaj MARKETS