When launched, Honda’s electric scooter is expected to compete with the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and the likes.

Honda is planning to enter the electric two-wheeler segment in India. The company is aiming to launch an electric scooter in FY22-23.

While Honda has not shared any specific details regarding its electric scooter for the Indian market, the bike maker could be planning to introduce the BENLY e in India. It is an electric scooter developed by Honda Motor Japan for commercial use. It was spied testing at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) earlier this year.

At this moment, it is not clear whether Honda will launch the BENLY e or its electric scooter for India will be an entirely new model.

When launched, Honda’s electric scooter is expected to compete with the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and the likes.

Source: ET Auto

This new technology is said to provide the battery with a lifetime of over 100,000 cycles which is much higher than that of conventional batteries.

Mahle Powertrain and UK-based Allotrope Energy have together unveiled a new battery technology that could revolutionise EV charging. Called lithium-carbon technology, it offers ultra-fast recharging with good power density. It would suit a wide range of small EVs, including e-scooters.

Lithium-carbon technology has been created by combining the benefits of supercapacitors and traditional lithium-ion batteries. The result is a battery cell that can be recharged quickly and still retain good energy density. It is also stable at high temperatures and thus, permits high current delivery and fast recharging.

This new technology is also said to provide the battery with a lifetime of over 100,000 cycles which is much higher than that of conventional batteries. The lithium-carbon cells are fully recyclable and free from rare-earth metals.

Mahle Powertrain and Allotrope Energy carried out a collaborative project. According to the details, if a food-delivery electric moped with a 25 km range and a 500 Wh lithium-ion battery, require a recharge mid-shift, it would take more than 30 minutes even with a fast charger. However, a lithium-carbon pack could be recharged at 20 kW in just 90 seconds.

Dr Mike Bassett, MAHLE Powertrain’s Head of Research, pointed out that with ultra-fast charging, the size of the batteries can be optimised depending on the vehicle and its purpose. Also, the reduced battery size will lead to weight and cost savings.

Source: Mahle

The Ola S1 is priced at Rs. 99,999, while the S1 Pro variant costs Rs. 1,29,999 (ex-showroom).

Ola Electric has re-opened bookings for the S1 and S1 Pro e-scooters. Customers will be able to place their orders online by paying Rs. 499.

Ola Electric introduced its first electric scooter in the Indian market back in August this year. The company had opened a purchase window between September 15 and 16, 2021. During this period, Ola claims to have received orders worth Rs. 1,100 crore.

The Ola S1 is priced at Rs. 99,999, while the S1 Pro variant costs Rs. 1,29,999 (ex-showroom).

The base S1 comes with a 2.98 kWh battery pack that offers a maximum range of 121 km. It powers an electric motor that has an output of 11 BHP and 58 Nm. The S1 Pro uses a 3.97 kWh battery that delivers a maximum range of 181 km on a single charge.

E-scooter sales account for just 1% of the total sales in India.

Hero Electric has proposed a timeline to end sales of petrol-powered 2-wheelers in India. The company believes that 2027 would be a good time for new sales to be 100% electric.

Naveen Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Electric, stated that if we target 2027, it would help speed up the switch to EVs. He believes that if we leave it to market forces, then the transition would take much longer.

China is the biggest market for electric 2-wheelers and is said to account for 97% of the world's e-scooter fleet. In comparison, e-scooter sales account for just 1% of the total sales in India.

Some of India's biggest 2-wheeler brands already have electric models in their product portfolio. However, more needs to be done if we are to speed up the transition. Munjal believes that once the goals are in place, companies will start planning backwards in terms of the supply chain, re-skilling, infrastructure requirements and financial implications.

Source: ET Auto

While insurance is not compulsory, I don't want the vehicle to be on-road without insurance covering theft and accidental repair.

BHPian drsnt recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am planning to buy an Okinawa Lite scooty which does not require any registration or license. The main reason I wanted a non-RTO and non-license vehicle is that my daughter is still 16, well-built but not eligible for a license. She comfortably drives a full-size scooter which I don't allow. While insurance is not compulsory, I don't want the vehicle to be on-road without insurance covering theft and accidental repair. The battery itself costs 25k and can be the target of theft. Accidents can happen anywhere and repair is always costly. I had almost given the cheque when the dealer informed me that insurance is not possible as the company "Digit" has denied taking insurance for non-RTO vehicles. Earlier he had told that he will get insurance done. I also contacted Chola, Bajaj, HDFC, and IFCCO, they all denied taking insurance as they don't have the provision to give insurance without registration.

Can anyone shed more light on the issue?

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

These e-bikes are just like bicycles in the eyes of the law. No insurance is actually a big plus point for the buyers of these small scooters. A lesser expense, a lesser compliance.

Don’t think it is possible to get any kind of auto insurance without a valid registration. Perhaps you are overthinking this.

Here's what BHPian The Mechanic had to say on the matter:

Did you try to get any other form of insurance other than Motor Insurance??

I would recommend you approach a well-informed insurance broker/agent and ask them if they can provide a product for you.

There are policies to cover things like bicycles, mobile machines that are not road legal etc. maybe there is something for your case too.

Also think about adding a third party liability coverage, since crashing into a pedestrian is also a possibility.

If you are still not able to find any policy you can consider writing to IRDAI, specifying the lack of products in this area.

Finally, kudos for actively thinking about insuring your assets. Most people won't insure anything unless it is mandatory.

Here's what BHPian SS-Traveller had to say on the matter:

Many private insurance companies offer insurance for electric bicycles, which don't need any RTO registration. The Okinawa Lite should fit into that category.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

I am going on a limb and speaking on first principles here - but at the end of the day, any risk should theoretically should be insurable. The question is, is there a big enough requirement for it for the insurance company to have modelled the risk and therefore the pricing.

Talk to a sophisticated insurance agent and perhaps he can help you. It’s possible that the pricing might be expensive even if they can manage since it may not be a commoditised volume product. A vehicle insurance chap will probably only know what operates within the narrow box of legally required vehicle insurance so he’s bound to simply say no.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Ola electric scooters rival the likes of the Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak electric & the TVS iQube.

Ola Electric has announced that the company has sold Rs 1,100 crore worth of electric scooters within just 2 days of opening the purchase window.

The company opened the purchase window between the 15th and 16th of September 2021. It also gave priority to customers who had reserved the electric scooter back in July 2021. Ola Electric stated that they registered Rs 600 crore worth of sales on the first day alone.

The company also stated that it will open the second purchase window on November 1, 2021. Customers who missed the first purchase window can still reserve their slot with a token amount of Rs 499. Once the purchase window is open, they will be allowed to book either electric scooter by making an online payment of Rs 20,000.

The Ola electric scooter is offered in two variants, S1 and S1 Pro; priced at Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.30 lakh, respectively. These prices, however, are expected to reduce slightly, based on the state EV subsidies. Ola is slated to begin deliveries of the S1 and S1 Pro e-scooters from October this year.

Ola's first electric scooter is available in two variants - S1 and S1 Pro. Prices start at Rs. 99,999 (ex-showroom).

Ola Electric was supposed to commence online sales of the S1 e-scooter on September 8. But the company is said to be facing technical issues and will now open sales on September 15, 2021.

Ola Electric has built a digital sales platform for the S1 e-scooter. Everything from loan processing to paperwork will be done online. The company will not have conventional dealerships and will deliver the scooters directly to the customer's doorstep.

CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has confirmed that delivery dates will not be affected. Also, for those who have pre-booked the scooter, their position in the purchase queue remains unchanged.

Ola's first electric scooter is available in two variants - S1 and S1 Pro. Prices start at Rs. 99,999 (ex-showroom).

The Ola S1 comes with a 2.98 kWh battery pack that powers a 'Hyperdrive motor' that has an output of 11 BHP and 58 Nm. It has a maximum range of 121 km. The battery can be recharged to 100% in 4 hours 48 minutes using a conventional charging port. With a fast charger, the scooter gets 75 km of range in just 18 minutes.

The Ola S1 Pro comes with a 3.97 kWh battery pack that offers a maximum range of 181 km. It can be recharged to 100% in 6 hours 30 minutes using a conventional charging port. With a fast charger, the scooter gets 75 km of range in 18 minutes.

In 1983, LML had partnered with Piaggio Vespa Italy to launch 100cc scooters in India.

Kanpur-based two-wheeler maker LML, has announced its comeback with a plan to enter the growing electric 2-wheeler segment in India.

The management is said to have been approached by various technology companies to introduce LML in the EV market. The brand is backed by large investments with an investing partner.

According to Dr. Yogesh Bhatia, MD & CEO, LML Electric, the company is actively working on product development strategies in order to introduce a new product in the urban mobility space.

LML was set up in 1972. In 1983, the company had partnered with Piaggio Vespa Italy to introduce 100cc scooters to take on Bajaj.

The Ola S1 e-scooter is priced at Rs. 99,999. EMI starts at Rs. 2,999.

Ola Electric made its foray into the electric scooter segment last month with the launch of the S1 and S1 Pro e-scooters.

The prices for the Ola S1 start at Rs. 99,999 (ex-showroom). This includes the FAME II subsidy but does not include state subsidies. The company has partnered with multiple banks and institutions to offer financing options to customers. The EMI for the S1 e-scooter starts at Rs. 2,999.

The Ola S1 comes with a 2.98 kWh battery pack that powers a 'Hyperdrive motor' that has an output of 11 BHP and 58 Nm. It has a maximum range of 121 km. The battery can be recharged to 100% in 4 hours 48 minutes using a conventional charging port. With a fast charger, the scooter gets 75 km of range in just 18 minutes.

The Ola S1 Pro comes with a 3.97 kWh battery pack that offers a maximum range of 181 km. It can be recharged to 100% in 6 hours 30 minutes using a conventional charging port. With a fast charger, the scooter gets 75 km of range in 18 minutes.

Ather will offer an alternative to the Ola S1 and Simple One electric scooter.

Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, has confirmed that the company is working on a third model based on the Ather 450 platform. The model is currently in the advanced stages of development and is expected to be launched in the first quarter of FY2023.

What's more interesting is the fact that the new model will offer customers an alternative to the Ola S1 and Simple One electric scooter, which undercut the Ather 450X in terms of pricing. It is said that that Ather's new e-scooter could be priced under Rs. 1 lakh.

Earlier, patent images of Ather's upcoming electric scooter had leaked online. The maxi-scooter styled model has a large front apron with an integrated windshield. It could be powered by the same electric motor and battery combination as the Ather 450X. However, it is unclear if this is the same sub-Rs. 1 lakh e-scooter that is due in 2023.

At present, Ather Energy offers two variants of the 450 - the 450 Plus and 450X, priced at Rs. 1,13,000 and Rs. 1,32,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.

Source: Autocar Professional