Things to consider before buying an electric scooter

Electric Scooters have emerged as an eco-friendly mode of transportation that is convenient as well as fun. At present, there are plenty of electric scooter models available in the Indian market. Electric scooters are quickly becoming the go-to option for people in search of a new vehicle for short trips.

Electric scooters have been received well by the Indian consumers and EV experts expect more models being launched in near future.

So, what are the things to look out for before getting one? Here’s a list to guide you through the process:

Price: India is a price-sensitive market and buyers always prefer the affordable option. It is obvious that people will compare the price of the electric scooter they are looking to buy with a Honda Activa. But it is important to understand that electric scooters are cost-effective when it comes to maintenance & running costs. With rising petrol prices, e-scooters can save you a lot even in the short-term.

Range: An electric vehicle’s range is what tests the rider’s patience the most. Unlike petrol-run scooters which can be refuelled at a petrol pump in a matter of minutes, electric scooters take a few hours to charge. Some electric scooters are being sold with an additional battery to increase their overall range.

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Battery Life & Warranty: The battery is the most expensive part of an EV. So when it comes to buying anything electric, always keep an eye on the warranty an automaker is offering on the battery used in the EV. Most electric scooter manufacturers offer a 3 year warranty on the battery packs. Recently, Ather Energy offered extended battery warranty for just Re.1. This adds two more years to the current three years being offered, taking the warranty period to a total of industry-best 5 years!

Charging Time:  Just like different mobile phones have different charging times, so do electric scooters. The time that it takes for the battery to charge varies depending on the size of the battery and the type of charger. Most electric two-wheeler batteries take between 2 to 6 hours to fully charge. Before buying one, always go through the product brochure and question the sales executive about the claimed charging time and type of charger being given.

Features: Different electric scooters offer different features. Some of these which people should keep an eye on include boot space, display screen, riding modes, all-LED lights, alloy wheels, etc. The high-end e-scooters in the Indian market offer almost all of these features. But when it comes to the budget e-scooters, one has to look out for the scooter which offers the most number of features at the lowest cost.