It is a hard truth that one of the Indian cities has been ranked as the one of the most air polluted cities in the world. As a result, electric vehicles have witnessed a rise in popularity in India. Before buying an electric vehicle, it is important to understand their pros and cons. The emissions of pollutants from industries and billions of vehicles contribute the most to the increase in air pollution.
Every coin has two sides to it. Along with a list of advantages, e-bikes have certain disadvantages to offer. Some of them are as follows:
Electric batteries need to be replaced once they are damaged or no longer provide a good range. Batteries usually last for a year, and cost between the range of Rs.13,000 - Rs. 20,000, depending on the rating, brand, quality, and warranties.
The range of an electric scooter is the distance that it covers in a single charge. The average range of the top electric scooter models in India is usually about 100 km. Moreover, the range decreases as the life of the battery increases. It takes about 5 hours to recharge the battery, so it might not be a great option for long-distance travel.
Repairs of the e-bike can be a matter of concern as very few repair centres or spare parts dealers are available for this new mode of transport. However, since the popularity of e-bikes has been rising, the number of repair centres will also increase and shall become easily accessible.
In many developed countries where electric vehicles are mainstream, charging stations are available 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 for such services, so taking your electric vehicles for a long ride may become very difficult.
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 their speeds still can’t compete with that offered by the fuel-powered two-wheelers. Low driving speed is one of the major disadvantages of an electric scooter.
Now that you are aware of the pros and cons of electric bikes, you should look into getting a two-wheeler insurance policy for your vehicle. As per the updated Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, all the vehicle owners must have third-party insurance for their vehicle, including electric vehicles. However, with a plethora of insurance policies in the market, finding the right one for an electric vehicle can get a little difficult. Fortunately, many insurance companies have started offering specific insurance plans for electric vehicles.
If you are looking to buy insurance for your electric bike or scooter, you can take a look at the various electric two-wheeler insurance plans available at Bajaj Markets and choose the one that best suits your needs. Insurance plans on Bajaj Markets come with value-added benefits like cashless facility at 4000+ garages across India and round the clock bike roadside assistance.
Yes, you must get electric bike insurance to keep yourself and your vehicle financially protected.
Electric scooters are comparatively cheaper than e-bikes and start at an amount ranging from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 depending on the brand. Electric bikes, on the other hand, start at an amount ranging from Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 90,000.
Yes, electric bikes have become a popular alternative due to the lower cost of running and environmental friendliness.
The electric bikes/scooters require much lower and infrequent maintenance as compared to regular bikes and scooters.