Electric Bike Price, Battery Bikes, Images, Reviews

Higher Initial Investment

Since electric two-wheelers are not as widely manufactured as their conventional cousins, their cost is still quite high. This makes EVs inaccessible for a large population, as not everyone is willing or can afford to pay the high premium. The primary reason for the high cost of electric two-wheelers is the lithium-ion batteries, which sometimes can be 50 per cent more than the cost of the vehicle itself.

Short Range

With the current level of battery technology, the range of an electric two-wheeler is mostly lesser than that of its conventionally powered counterpart. This coupled with the limited charging infrastructure deters EV buyers.

Not-so-great on performance

Most of the premium, modern electric two-wheelers have an unimpressive top speed for the price they command. Sure, the initial acceleration is high but electric motors usually lose their steam as the speeds climb. None of the reasonably priced modern electric two-wheelers sold in India is properly highway worthy so far. Even the high-speed electric scooters on sale have a top speed in the range of 60-80kmph and are priced over Rs 1 lakh.

Charging Infrastructure

The lack of good charging infrastructure poses a problem, particularly in developing countries such as India. Once that is taken care of, it could essentially eliminate range or future anxieties that plague electric two-wheeler owners. While growth is expected in the next few years, finding a charging point right when you need it is not as easy as finding a fuel bunk yet.

Charge times

It takes just two minutes to refuel a bike or a scooter, but charging an electric vehicle can take a couple of hours at the bare minimum. Yes, there is the advantage of quick charging tech now, which can give your EV a full charge in just about an hour. However, don’t expect to find these fast chargers everywhere just yet. Moreover, not all electric two-wheelers have fast-charging capability as it puts additional strain on the battery’s life. That said, a few companies have adopted swappable battery technology, which is a novel way to minimise downtime while charging and also reduce range anxiety to a certain extent.

Limited Options

This may be a temporary concern considering the influx of EVs expected from varied manufacturers over the next couple of years. Currently, however, you can count the available options on your fingertips. Thanks to the limitation in battery technology, the range remains limited too. This is one of the reasons why most manufacturers dabble in the scooter segment rather than the motorcycle space.
Scooters are generally associated with urban runabouts and hence, it makes sense for brands to introduce electric options. Motorcycles are a different ballgame as the usage is always expected to be higher, and consequently, they’re expected to offer better range. The Indian two-wheeler segment is still some way from offering electric motorcycles that are good enough to replace a conventional petrol-powered two-wheeler.