The Hindu Business Line : Question & Auto

My commute to work and back is about 15 km, and looking at the fuel consumed by my gearless scooter now, I am tempted to buy a battery-operated bike. But not much information is available about these types of two-wheelers and I am worried about buying a not-so-popular brand. What should I buy and where?

T. K. Srinivas

We have been flooded with enquiries about electric/battery-operated scooters and bikes ever since such two-wheelers were launched in some cities. With claims of operating costs being an unbelievably low 10-25 paise to a km, the lure of battery-operated two-wheelers is surely tough to resist. Moreover, with the price of petrol rising steadily, there would be many out there who will be willing to compromise performance and comfort.

But the market for battery-operated two-wheelers is unregulated and unorganised. A large majority of the companies selling such scooters and bikes are small operators importing kits from China and assembling them in small workshops. These unorganised players have poor after-sales service facilities.

It may seem like a good bargain compared to similar two-wheelers being sold by organised players, but in some cases you may well end up buying products that have not been tested, approved or legally allowed on the roads. Most companies offering battery-operated two-wheelers are all importing a chunk of the parts from countries such as China, and assembling them here. But there is a difference in quality between manufacturers and there will also be a difference in their commitment to honouring warranty claims.

Some of the organised players in the battery-operated two-wheelers segment are trying to locally manufacture and procure components in the next few years, though currently they source only such parts as tyres, seats, rubber and plastic panels locally.

The electric scooter or bike replaces the petrol engine and gearbox with a DC electric motor, electronic control module and battery pack. The electric motor, which is usually a magnet-based brush motor or a brushless hub motor, is mounted at the rear and is directly driven.

There are differences between the electrical vehicle manufacturers in terms of technological features they offer, including electronic throttle control, battery power cut-off when brakes are applied and some safety features such as a magnetic controller for the accelerator that automatically keeps the electric motor on standby when the throttle is released.

Based on the usage pattern, the weight of the passengers or the payload that is carried, and the power of the electric motor, most battery-operated scooters and bikes offer 50-60 km of riding range per charge. The charging time varies from 6 to 8 hours and the battery (usually VRLA type) life is about two years, but will depend on usage.

Some of the organised manufacturers offer bikes with quite a few premium features and expensive maintenance-free lead-acid batteries. The charging of the battery is done either externally or with the help of an in-built charging station. The quality of material used, including the wiring, and the design and build of the plastic panels also determine the safety of the user by protecting against water ingress and by keeping the bike shockproof.

Of course, the design and the benefits are unique to different products and features such as storage, and comfort and lifestyle add-ons like cruise control and cell-phone charging station are offered by the organised players.

So, given the fact that the products in this segment are still evolving and the fact that there are obvious reasons for being cautious before shopping for an electric scooter, what precautions need to be taken to protect your interests and ensure that you don't land up with a lemon?

First, try to choose from electric scooters offered by organised sector manufacturers. Either which way, some of the preliminary precautions that you need to take include checking the specifications of the electric vehicle.

As there is no fuel-driven engine in these bikes, the rating of the electric motor is the defining factor. This can be the key factor that will ensure that you are not cheated. Battery-operated two-wheelers are effectively outside the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act.

However, there are a few umbrella provisions that apply to these types of two-wheelers and manufacturers have to ensure that their products conform to them. Under the stipulations, a battery-operated two-wheeler which is offered with an electric motor that has a power rating below 250W or an electric bike whose travelling speed is restricted to 25 kmph can be sold and operated on the roads without the need for a formal registration. Users will also not require a driving licence for using such a two-wheeler. However, one precaution that you will need to take is to check if the manufacturer has obtained a No-Objection Certificate from a testing/validating agency such as the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

In their attempts at offering a wider choice especially to buyers who may be looking for more powerful electric two - wheelers, some companies have bikes with higher rated motors. So, in the case of bikes, which either sport electric motors that are rated over 250W or can travel at speeds of over 25 kmph, they will be considered on a par with petrol-engine two-wheelers. So, such electric bikes will need the ARAI's certificate for roadworthiness, the approval of the Regional Transport Office (RTO), they will have to be registered and can be used only by the holder of a valid two-wheeler driving licence.

So, in short, the precautions you need to take at the battery-operated bike dealership is to look at the brand and the company to ensure that it is an organised player with a relatively spread out nationwide presence, verify ARAI certification, check the specifications of the bike and check with the local RTO to ensure that the bike is not barred from use on your city's roads.

Queries may be sent to: q&a@thehindu.co.in or by post to Q&A, Business Line, 859/860, Kasturi Buildings, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.