India is one of several countries that have pledged to phase out gasoline and diesel-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. These vehicles will be replaced by electric vehicles (EVs), which are more efficient than ICE alternatives, have zero emissions and require less maintenance. There are already many electric vehicles in the market, and with petrol prices skyrocketing in India, many people are opting to go fully electric.
While the electric four-wheeler segment has still not taken off, buyers have a variety of options in the two-wheeler market. An electric bike allows you to ride without having to look for a gas station. And this is a significant financial savings these days. Consider brands like Revolt, Joy, Torque, Cybor, and Komaki, all of which cater to the needs of EV riders.
Things to consider before purchasing:
Before you go out and buy an electric bike, there are a few things you should consider. They will help you choose the best electric bike for your needs, as well as help you make good financial decisions. So, before you put off shopping for your brand new electric bike, consider the following few points.
- Price, incentives, and tax benefits: The budget will obviously play a role in your purchasing decision, but it is even more important to research the incentives and tax breaks offered by the federal and state governments on the electric vehicle you are considering purchasing. When you have all of the facts, you can make the best financial decision when making the purchase.
- Technology, features, and style: By their very nature, electric vehicles are highly dependent on software, so be sure to purchase the bikes from a business that has a track record of providing timely updates. Make a list of the features you want your electric bike to have as well, and make sure the brand you choose offers the majority of those features, if not all of them. Finally, don’t forget to consider your vehicle’s level of style.
- Range, speed, and battery capacity: Electric bikes are frequently available in a variety of models, each with a different battery capacity and maximum single-charge range. Keep in mind that the rated range provided by the manufacturer is under ideal conditions, so make sure to buy only those electric bikes that offer at least 15-20% more range than your daily commute requirement. Another consideration is top speed, which varies greatly depending on the model.
- License requirement: The last consideration is whether you need a licence to operate the vehicle you plan to purchase. Most electric bikes did not require a licence to operate when they were first introduced to the market. However, you now need a licence because more and more businesses are releasing potent electric bikes. Check the vehicle’s licence requirements thus before purchasing.
Here are some of the most popular electric bikes available in India today-
1. Revolt RV400
The Revolt RV400 looks like a regular sports commuter motorcycle but turn on the ignition and you will notice that it does not make any noise. This is because it is an electric bike. The Revolt RV400 is powered by a 4kW electric motor that produces 170Nm of torque, a claimed top speed of 85 km/h and a riding range of up to 150 km per charge. The bike has a 3.24kW removable battery, which gets charged in less than 5 hours indoors. For safety, it has been provided with disc brakes on both sides.
Getting the Revolt RV 400 will seem cheaper as you pay a fixed amount of Rs 3000 per month to the company. Its total price in the market is more than Rs 1,40,000. Revolt has established its dealerships in various cities and states of India like Delhi, Bangalore, Surat, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai etc.
2. Cyborg Bob
Launched in early 2022 by Ignitron MotoCorp, the Cyborg Bob e-bike is an India-made electric motorcycle targeted at teenagers and young adults. The dirt bike-inspired motorcycle has a claimed top speed of 85 km/h and draws power from a 2.88 kWh lithium-ion removable battery. This battery can give the bike a mileage of 110 km on a full charge and can be topped up from 0 to 80 percent in 3 hours using a 15 amp home charger.
However, it will take 4 to 5 hours using the same charger to charge it completely. Furthermore, the Bob e-bike has an IP67-certified LED display on the front that provides the rider with various stats like battery remaining, time, and more. It can also be used to control the settings of the bike.
Ignitron MotoCorp has kept the ex-showroom price of Cyborg Bob-E bike at Rs 1,14,999. Reservations for the Cyborg Bob-E bike can be made on the company’s own website by depositing a booking fee of Rs 999 and filling the required details.
3. PURE EV eTryst 350
The PURE EV eTryst 350 comes with a 4000-watt BLDC motor that can take the EV from 0 to 75 mph in 11.6 seconds. With a 3.5kWh battery, the eTryst 350 can deliver a range of 90 km to 140 km on a full charge, depending on the riding mode. As far as charging time is concerned, it can take up to 6 hours for the battery cells to be charged from flat to full using the home charger that comes with the electric bike. Additionally, there is an LED display on the front to indicate important details like battery status, speed mode, and more.
The price of PURE EV eTryst 350 starts at Rs 1,54,999 ex-showroom. Inquiries about Pure EV eTryst 350 can be made through the company’s website.
4. Ola S1 Pro
OLA S1 Pro is an electric scooter available at a starting price of Rs. 1,29,999 in India. It is available in only 1 variant and 11 colours. OLA S1 Pro generates 5500 W power from its motor. With both front and rear disc brakes, OLA S1 Pro comes up with a combined braking system for both wheels. The electric motor on the S1 Pro is tuned to deliver 8.5kW of maximum power and 58Nm of peak torque. The company promises a top speed of 115kmph and claims a range of 181km per full charge as against 90kmph and 121km on the base model. The 3.97kWh battery pack can be fast charged for a range of 75km in 18 minutes. The full charging time is rated at six and a half hours.
The feature list, similar to the base model, includes a twin-pod headlight at the front, apron-mounted sleek LED indicators, a body-coloured front fender, curvy side panels, a sleek LED taillight, an external charging port at the back, and a split-style pillion grabrail. The scooter features a 36-liter under-seat storage space that can accommodate two open-face helmets. The color palette for the Pro variant includes ten options.
5. Oben Rorr
This electric bike from Bengaluru-based startup named Oben Electric is capable of covering its distance at a top speed of 100 km/hr. With an impressive range of 200 km on a full charge, the Oben Roar is an ideal bike for city rides and short trips. Charging of the 4kWh lithium-ion battery pack is taken care of by a portable charger that can take the battery from flat to full in about 2 hours using a 15A power socket.
Additionally, the e-bike features a 6.5-inch display that displays basic data as well as a Driver Alert System, which keeps the rider aware of his surroundings with visual indicators. Oben also has a dedicated mobile app to access lots of built-in features.
Ex-showroom price of Oben Roar starts at Rs 99,999 which includes all state subsidies. Oben Roar is currently available for pre-booking on the company’s website. The pre-booking amount has been set at Rs 999.
6. Hop OXO
Hop OXO is a stylish looking electric bike that may appeal to many people. The standard variant of the bike has a 5.2kW motor, while the ‘Pro’ model has a 6.2kW BLDC hub motor. These motors give both the EVs a top speed of 90 kmph and 95 mph on the standard and Pro variants respectively. As far as range is concerned, the standard variant can go up to around 136 km on a single charge, while on the other hand, the ‘Pro’ variant can go up to around 150 km.
Both electric bikes can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in 4 hours with the supplied fast charger. As for additional features, Hop has made sure to provide Bluetooth connectivity, anti-theft alert, turn-by-turn navigation and many more features that can be accessed using the 5-inch LCD touch display on the front. The ex-showroom price of Hop OXO starts at Rs 1,39,999.
7. Komaki Ranger
If you are a fan of Bullet bikes and want an electric version of it, look no further than the Komaki Ranger Electric Cruiser. This electric bike has the largest battery in an electric two-wheeler at 4kW, which can provide a range of 180-220 km on a full charge. It also has a 4000 watt motor installed in it to keep things running.
The Komaki Ranger also has features like a mobile charging unit, a complete Bluetooth sound system to take advantage of the embedded features, and dual exhaust with flame and sound effects (just a cosmetic part for the electric vehicle). It comes in three different colors including black, blue and red.
Komaki has priced the Ranger at Rs 1,74,500, which is the ex-showroom price of Delhi. Komaki is taking bookings for the Ranger on its website. You can book it from there.
8. Tork Kratos R
The Torque Kratos R is a souped-up version of the vanilla Kratos and improves on a number of things. For starters, the Kratos R’s certified range is 180 km instead of 120 km and top speed is 105 km/h. It is powered by a 4kWh lithium-ion battery that can be fast charged up to 80 percent in 60 minutes. That said, Torque offers free access to its fast-charging network of charging stations for the first two years.
Additionally, it is loaded with some great smart features like geofencing, motor walk assist, find my bike function, crash alert, and even vacation mode. The Kratos R comes in white, red, black and blue. The ex-showroom price of the Torque Kratos is Rs 1,92,499 (Pune), but with a subsidy of Rs 84,500, the effective price comes down to Rs 1,07,999.
9. Odysse Evoqis
The Odyssey Evokis is a high-end sports bike that matches the design language of some of the most iconic petrol-powered bikes. With a maximum speed of 80 km/h, this electric bike can run easily on the city roads. The Evokis is powered by a 4.32 kWh lithium-ion battery that can provide a range of 100 km/h on a single charge. It takes 6 hours to fully charge the battery with the 15W charger provided with the bike. The motor power of the e-bike is 3000 watts and it also supports keyless ignition. The ex-showroom price of Odysse Evoqis is Rs 1,66,250.
10. Joy E-Bike Monster
Joy E-Bike Monster is a mini electric bike which is equipped with some good features for its size. For starters, it has a 72V lithium-ion battery that can cover a range of 95 km on a single charge. The notable feature of the Joy e-bike is the mono-shock suspension system that ensures smooth and stable handling of the bike on bumpy roads.
Charging is taken care of by a portable charger which fully charges the battery in about 5 to 5.5 hours. This bike consumes only 3.3 units of electricity when fully charged. It is available in three colors which include red, black and white. The ex-showroom price of Joy e-bike Monster is Rs 1,02,249.
