[Livnletcarsliv]

While the cost of repairs is the next thing, IMO, in the first place, the actual repair and the availability of the appropriate professionals to diagnose the defect/repair itself are the imperative issues to be addressed first - applicable to any EV (2W, 3W, 4W, etc).

One of my friends had an error in his TVS iQube last week. It's now more than 5 days and still there is no clue of what the issue is and the nearest dealer says that the technician who has expertise in EV is on leave. Now I wonder, for brand reputed brand like TVS, if this is the aftersales support for an EV, I will not even touch an EV with a barge pole (I was thinking of replacing my ICE scooter with an EV).

When I was talking to an FNG mechanic (who generally takes care of my ICE Activa), the only reason he asked me to avoid EV for now was the after-sales support. He said, no repair shops or FNG mechanics will service the EV. He said, that not even a puncture repair would be done by the FNG or a puncture shop in an EV.

If an EV only needs specialists for any kind of repair or even fixing simple and small things, an EV can never replace the ICE in a market like India. For now, I believe that EVs are good as long as they don't cause any trouble. But once they age or if there is any niggle/issue, then starts the nightmare. I sincerely hope and wish things change.

[ferrarirules]

Originally Posted by Livnletcarsliv

If an EV only needs specialists for any kind of repair or even fixing simple and small things, an EV can never replace the ICE in a market like India. For now, I believe that EVs are good as long as they don't cause any trouble. But once they age or if there is any niggle/issue, then starts the nightmare. I sincerely hope and wish things change.

It is a chicken-egg problem or demand/supply problem. I will explain via an example - There was a time when the cars in India transitioned from carburettor to direct fuel injection engines. All mechanics said "Sir stay away, these car will be serviced in service station only". But as these cars gained popularity, the skill set of the mechanic got upgraded as well.

Today Maruti is selling Hybrid cars, I don't think even a single Maruti mechanic will touch the engine of that car.

Hence it is all about demand supply, EVs are being sold only for last 5 years. Most of them are still in warranty so nobody wants to repair them outside so no demand of mechanics who need to understand EVs.

[deep_bang]

Originally Posted by Livnletcarsliv

When I was talking to an FNG mechanic (who generally takes care of my ICE Activa), the only reason he asked me to avoid EV for now was the after-sales support. He said, no repair shops or FNG mechanics will service the EV. He said, that not even a puncture repair would be done by the FNG or a puncture shop in an EV.

You got to be careful of advice coming from a person who has a stake in the decision. You see, FNGs will definitely say that as they don't know yet how they can get into this ecosystem of EVs.

[pankajsariyal]

Originally Posted by Precision

AFAIK there is no AC/DC motor that cannot be Repaired/Rebuilt. Obviously the stealership wouldn't want to do that, but there will be plenty of outside electrical overhaulers who are competent to do it and at a fraction of the quoted price.
If the battery isn't charging how is that a fault of the motor? There would most probably be a connection to an inverter from the motor for Regen purpose which most probably failed.
If it was sold for 9 lakhs I am assuming it was in a drivable state which is what the motor does.
Extended warranty + scheduled service + all possible insurance add ons is compulsory in today's age of denial.
Only you will have your back when the ugly time comes.

Motor can be repaired very easily but there is a catch, it's buried under ton of equipment. They have one assembly with motor and reduction gear in one housing with zillions of components (metaphorically). The teardown of Tesla motor videos are there and they show how difficult is to open them and even more difficult to close them back. And if any small component is faulty or damaged, I don't think that will be available in India, unless someone makes a new of it's own.

This is the reason, even dealers are not touching them, it's either replacement under warranty or buy a new one. Recently many cab companies in US scrapped their entire fleets that needed even minor repairs. Nobody is currently doing this, at least for next 4-5 years. Until we have Mukesh Gaurs of EVs in India.

[Livnletcarsliv]

Originally Posted by deep_bang

You got to be careful of advice coming from a person who has a stake in the decision. You see, FNGs will definitely say that as they don't know yet how they can get into this ecosystem of EVs.

Of course, there is a vested interest wrt FNG's. But, in reality, even FNG's understand that EVs are the future and they are ready for that transition/transformation with appropriate support from the OEMs.
However, the issue here is that if there is a problem (minor or major) in an ICE vehicle vs an EV vehicle. What if I am stranded in the middle of a road with ICE vs EV? In the current market situation, I would be at peace with a ICE, but not with an EV as EV needs only specialists even from the same brand. This is a show-stopper for me (and many). Even if I don't mind about the reliability, cost, range, features, brand, etc, when a problem occurs in an EV, the least I expect is to address and fix the problem immediately. Not like in the case of my friend who is clueless even after 6 days as to what exactly is the issue and when will he get his vehicle back.

[BlueGod]

My 3.5 years old ampere Magnus scooter motor was stalling. The service centre opened the hub motor and found water ingress. They cleaned everything thing and charged me around 600 Rs. it has been around 6 months and have driven around 1000 km since then no issues.

Two years back I had a bulged rear tyre and FNG tyre shop person was very hesitant to remove it as the hub motor has to be removed. I told him to go ahead as he has to learn somewhere. Gave the assurance that he won’t be blamed if anything goes wrong. He was very careful to not disturb the wires and did a wonderful job in replacing the tyre.

[ECD]

It's becoming more & more plausible that EV life is going to be much less than a good old ICE which kept running 25+ years for reliable engines.
This is in sync with modern human life. Today everything we see around is becoming scintillating and desirable but short-lived. Anyone with 40+ age will understand what I mean because we have seen the pristine world before all this. I know the western medical community want us to believe otherwise but the reality speaks for itself.

Originally Posted by DIY410

Tata imports the motor and MCU/Inverter...

I'm shocked to know this. Are you sure ? But why ? To reduce time to market ?