Rust on any new vehicle is an eye soar, as it slowly stains everything around it and ruins the look.

BHPian Venky03 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Prologue:

It has been more than a month since I took the delivery of my Pure EPluto 7G, the washers and rear bolts holding the guards had started to rust.

Rust on any new vehicle is an eye soar, as it slowly stains everything around it and ruins the look.

I was trying to find solutions for the same, local workshops straight up denied to galvanize such a small quantity. Tried WD-40 but it didn't do much. Stumbled upon rust converter from Vitarag Chemicals but there were no reviews for the same, browsed their website and then decided to contact them. Sent them a photo of my rusted bolts and asked if any of their product can help, they sent me a video in which they treated rusted bolts and washers; the process was fairly simple and quick. So ordered the minimum quantity (1-litre) of Rust Remover, Cold Blackening Solution and Rust converter (for other application). They shipped the same day and I received the products 1 day later.

Before

Process

NOTE: Use gloves, safety glasses and a proper mask while dealing with such chemicals; also keep the space well ventilated.

(Optional) Sprayed on WD-40 then cleaned the loose rust, used 3M Shampoo and water to rinse it off.

Dipping in CORODG-27 solution to remove the surface rust and other contaminants (3-5mins).

Dipping in water (2mins).

Dipping in cold blackening solution (3-5mins).

Dipping in water (2mins) then drying out and soaking in WD-40(5mins).

Results

Very happy with the initial results, I've used up around 200-250ml of both the solutions.

Total cost was: Rs 220 (Rust Converter) + Rs 110 (CORODG-27) +550 (Blackening Solution) + Rs 480 (Shipping)

I was a bit disappointed with the rust creeping in so early on a new product, hope that they take necessary steps to avoid these issues in future batches.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I use the scooter only for shopping needs, which means daily running is not more than 6 to 7 km.

BHPian nairrk recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been using a Maestro Edge 110 (2006 model) and recently gave it to my relative. I am now thinking of buying a new electric scooter.

After searching for some good electric scooters, I realized that there are not many branded electric scooter dealers in my area.

There are only two dealers in my area - one is Benling India and other one is Route Electric. I liked the Benling Aura, but it doesn't offer under-seat storage space and has a hump on the footboard as well. Route Electric has only low-speed scooters with a 250 W motor, which is not to my liking.

Though I am very much interested in owning an electric scooter, but there is no availability of branded electric scooters close to my area. I have also looked into petrol scooters and shortlisted to two - Maestro Edge 125 with BT connect and the 2021 Honda Grazia.

Without a two wheeler, my daily shopping needs are badly affected (though I am using the car for all small purchases, it is very difficult to find parking space all the time, at all places. It is very inconvenient to take the car out for such daily shopping needs).

What you guys think - should I go for a branded low-speed electric scooter or purchase another petrol scooter? If I go for a petrol one, then which one would you guys recommend - Honda Grazia 125 or Maestro Edge 125?

FYI: I use the scooter only for shopping needs, which means daily running is not more than 6 to 7 km.

Suggestions are welcome.

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

In your position, I would choose a petrol scooter.

• Limited dealer support for electric scooters
• Very low running, so no RoI advantage with electric scooters
• Inherent risk in becoming an early adopter of a new technology

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

Definitely a petrol scooter, the Honda Grazia 125 it should be (of the two you have mentioned), since you have already used the Maestro 110. Use Honda for a change.

Very happy with my Activa 125 BS6, which I bought nine months back. Only drawback - it’s boring. If you like a light, easy to flick and relatively more powerful scooter, you may want to look at the Suzuki Access 125 if available.

Happy shopping.

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

As of now, it's advisable to go with a petrol scooter - as you have mentioned that there are not enough dealers or after sale facilities too.

It would take another year or so for electric scooters to catch up. With the launch of OLA scooters and bookings going on in a massive scale, we would come to know about the pros and cons of owning an electric scooter soon.

However, if your average travel per day is over 15 km, then probably your next purchase should be an electric one.

Considering the way in which the fuel rates are increasing day by day, it remains to be seen how far it goes.

Here's what BHPian Venky03 had to say on the matter:

So your annual running will be somewhere near ~2k km mark, and both the ICE and electric options will cost you around the Rs 1 lakh mark, so I won't consider any RoI.

Your annual savings will be around Rs 3-4k excluding the maintenance charges, if you opt for electric.

Now the main questions are:

• Convenience - Do you have the proper space and shed for charging your scooter?
• Early Adoption - As the EV industry is still in a growing state, facing small niggles with your EV is a common sight. And there are chances that even dealer won't know what the issue is. Don't know if there are any mechanics familiar with EVs in your areas.
• Durability - Even in the best case scenario, an electric scooter from the current lot won't last as long as a traditional ICE scooter.

I myself own an electric scooter inPure, and have dealt with some of the irritating niggles with the help from the dealer as well as BHPians.

So if you opt for an EV, ensure that the dealer knows what he is selling and that the spares are available if you need them.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Simple Energy One is a direct rival to the Ola electric scooter, Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and the TVS iQube.

Simple Energy has launched the One electric scooter priced at Rs. 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom) excluding subsidies.

The Simple Energy One is a direct rival to the recently launched Ola electric scooter, Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and the TVS iQube.

The One is a stylish e-scooter just like its rivals. It has an edgier design with a triangular LED headlamp in the front. It comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen dash that features 4G and Bluetooth connectivity. It offers functions like navigation, music, vehicle tracking and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

The One uses a 4.5 kW electric motor that has a torque rating of 72 Nm. It is powered by a removable 4.8 kWh lithium-ion battery that is said to offer a maximum range of 203 km in Eco mode. The company claims that the battery can be recharged from 0-80% in 2.75 hours.

The scooter has four riding modes - Eco, Ride, Dash and Sonic. It is said to sprint from 0-40 km/h in 2.95 seconds and has a top speed of 95 km/h or 105 km/h depending on the tyre choice.

Speaking of tyre choice, customers get the option of 90/90-2 or 100/80-12 size tyres. The scooter rides on telescopic suspension at the front and a monoshock at the rear. It weighs just 110 kg (kerb weight).

The Ola e-scooter competes with the Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and the TVS iQube.

Ola Electric has launched its first e-scooter in India. It is available in S1 and S1 Pro variants, priced at Rs. 99,999 and Rs. 1,29,999 (ex-showroom) respectively.

The scooter will go on sale on September 8. Deliveries will commence from October 2021.

Ola S1:

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 enables the scooter to reach a claimed top speed of 90 km/h. The S1 can accelerate from 0-60 km/h in 7 seconds.

The S1 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.

Ola S1 Pro:

The Ola S1 Pro comes with a 3.97 kWh battery pack that powers a similar electric motor as the S1. The S1 Pro is said to sprint from 0-60 km/h in 5 seconds and has a top speed of 115 km/h.

The S1 Pro has a maximum range of 181 km. The battery 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.

The S1 comes with two riding modes - Normal and Sports, while the S1 Pro has three - Normal, Sports and Hyper.

The electric scooter gets a smart vehicle control unit (VCU), with an octa-core processor, 3GB RAM and 4G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The S1 Pro comes with reverse park assist, hill hold system and cruise control. Other features include proximity lock/unlock, remote boot lock/unlock, onboard navigation, geo-fencing, mobile phone call and message alerts and an anti-theft alarm system.

The Ola e-scooter is based on a tubular steel frame. The kerb weight of the S1 is 121 kg, while that of the S1 Pro is 125 kg. Both variants get 36-litres of under seat storage.

The scooter is equipped with a single fork suspension at the front and a monoshock at the rear. The braking setup consists of a 220 mm disc brake at the front and a 180 mm disc at the rear. It comes with a combined braking system.

Ola Electric scooter prices (including FAME II subsidy):

S1:

• Delhi - Rs. 85,099
• Gujarat - Rs. 79,999
• Maharashtra - Rs. 94,999
• Rajasthan - Rs. 89,968
• All other states - Rs. 99,999

S1 Pro:

• Delhi - Rs. 1,10,149
• Gujarat - Rs. 1,09,999
• Maharashtra - Rs. 1,24,999
• Rajasthan - Rs. 1,19,138
• All other states - Rs. 1,29,999

Hero MotoCorp's electric scooter will take on the Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and the upcoming Ola e-scooter.

Hero MotoCorp has given us a glimpse of its upcoming electric scooter. It was teased during a live stream, celebrating the brand's 10th anniversary.

Hero MotoCorp's e-scooter appears to have a funky look - a design theme that we've seen on the Ather 450X and the Ola e-scooter as well. The scooter has telescopic front suspension and rides on 5-spoke alloy wheels.

While details about the new model are scarce, it is said that the company has been working on fixed as well as swappable battery technology, in collaboration with Taiwan-based Gogoro.

Earlier, Niranjan Gupta, CFO, Hero MotoCorp, had confirmed that the company was planning to launch its first electric 2-wheeler in Q1 2022.

The trails are currently running in Bangalore, New Delhi and Hyderabad.

Swiggy has added electric vehicles (EVs) to its delivery fleet. The company recently announced the commencement of trials, with the aim to cover deliveries spanning 8,00,000 km per day through EVs by 2025.

Swiggy has signed an agreement with Reliance BP Mobility Limited (RBML) to build an EV ecosystem and battery-swapping stations for its delivery partners across the country. The company has also partnered with e-cycle maker Hero Lectro and UK-based Fast Despatch Logistics for end-to-end delivery of Swiggy orders through cargo e-cycles. The company expects the use of EVs to lower running costs by up to 40%.

RBML will install battery swapping stations every few kilometers. A single pre-charged battery is said to offer a range of 65-80 km.

The trails are currently running in Bangalore, New Delhi and Hyderabad.

A particular electric scooter had been grabbing my attention due to its Vespa like looks.

BHPian gischethans recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A particular electric scooter had been grabbing my attention due to its Vespa like looks. It sported attractive LED lights and blinkers which looked great during the rainy nights. I barely saw it standing still, hence couldn't make out the maker for months. Finally, spotted one and figured out it was an Elthor Bravo.

Recently I discovered that they had a small dealership in my town, Karkala and paid a visit today. The lady there was welcoming and quickly explained the features with the prominent ones being:

1. Portable batteries - while one battery comes by default, there is space for two of them in the box. Being removable ones, they can either be charged in place or inside the home.

2. Remote control - with car-like locking features and theft alarm.

3. Modes - the scooter has Sport (S), Sport+ (S+) modes which would understandably impact the range at the cost of better pickup.

4. Odometer - the console also shows battery charge status, a ready indicator and the current mode.

Specifications

Short Test Ride

I requested a short test drive and got a chance to ride it - my first electric vehicle ride.

• I didn't even realize that the engine had started as there was neither sound nor vibration like IC scooter.
• Took me few seconds to get used to the power - acceleration was fairly quick and disc brakes were strong too.
• Like the upcoming Ola Electric, even this comes with a hump in the leg space. Not sure why this is a characteristic of electric scooters. I am sure not many would like that.

Quickly clicked a few pictures (apologies for not covering all angles)

Pricing

Including registration charges and accessories, the costs in Karkala, Karnataka:

• Single battery variant - ₹1,13,150 post-subsidy of ₹7000 on ₹1,20,150
• Double battery variant - ₹1,42,200 post-subsidy of ₹10000 on ₹1,52,200

Official website

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Komaki has enhanced the safety of the XGT X5 electric scooter by adding a mechanical parking feature. It has a claimed range of 80-90 km on a single charge and is compatible with both - VRLA gel batteries and lithium-ion batteries.

Komaki has launched the XGT X5 electric scooter for elderly and specially-abled people. The company has enhanced the safety of the XGT X5 scooter by adding a mechanical parking feature.

Over 1,000 units of the XGT X5 have already been sold to elderly and specially-abled citizens. The model is available across all dealerships in India and can be booked online following which, the nearest dealership will contact the buyer. All Komaki models can be purchased by availing an EMI facility.

The XGT X5 comes in two colours - Red and Grey. It has a claimed range of 80-90 km on a single charge and is compatible with both - VRLA gel batteries and lithium-ion batteries. It comes fitted with a regenerative braking system and a repair switch that is claimed to fix the problems identified during self-diagnosis.

Prices (ex-showroom):

• XGT-X5-(72V24AH) (Mileage 80-90km / charge) Scooter: Rs 90,500
• XGT-X5 GEL (Mileage 80-90km / charge) Scooter: Rs. 72,500

Ola Electric's e-scooter will lock horns with the Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube.

Ola Electric has announced that its first electric scooter will be launched in the Indian market on August 15, 2021. Pre-bookings are already open.

Ola's first electric scooter is expected to be based on the Etergo Appscooter. It is likely to use a 6 kW electric motor, powered by a swappable battery offering a maximum range of 240 km. The final specifications and other details will be shared at the time of launch.

Reports suggest that Ola will adopt a 'direct-to-customer' sales model, wherein everything from bookings, documentation and loan applications will be processed online. The scooters will be delivered to the customer's doorstep as well.

The company is setting up a separate logistics department that will oversee registration and deliveries. For after-sales support, Ola will send technicians to the customer's residence.

TVS is also setting up a separate vertical dedicated to EVs.

Bajaj Auto will form a separate wholly-owned subsidiary for electric vehicles. It will have a proposed authorized capital of Rs. 100 crore. The name of the new subsidiary is yet to be finalized.

The company recently notified the Bombay Stock Exchange about the decision taken by its board of directors to incorporate a wholly-owned subsidiary. It will leverage the growth opportunities in the evolving mobility space and help the company venture into the manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles in the 2, 3 and 4-wheeler categories.

At present, Bajaj offers the Chetak electric scooter in the Indian market. The company plans to launch electric 3-wheelers and quadricycles in 2021-22. KTM is also working on a range of electric motorcycles.

Recently, the TVS Motor Company announced an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore to set up a separate vertical dedicated to EVs.

Besides  Ather Energy, Ola Electric is also expected to pose a formidable challenge to brands like Bajaj and TVS in the electric mobility space.

Source: ET Auto