30% of all new two wheelers sold in the world are electric – Auto Economic times. If you were wondering whether Electric Vehicles have made their presence in the Auto Industry market, this stat should remove your doubt.
Electric Vehicle (EV) market is currently the word in the automotive industry. Positives, advantages, benefits, are some of the adjectives that are often used alongside EVs. Here are some major advantages of EVs, when compared to Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs):
- Cost Effective- Electricity is cheaper than Gasoline
- No Emissions- EVs do not emit gases and helps you contribute to a green and clean environment
- Less Maintenance- The battery, motor and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance.
- Higher Performance- Lighter weight and higher power at disposal are a lethal combination. Manufacturers are using this to their advantage. For example, Ola’s S1 Pro electric scooter can reach 0-50 km/h in 3.6 seconds.
Said the advantages, wide adoption has not been possible in the Indian Auto Market due to challenges, such as:
- Range Anxiety-
Electric bikes can run for about 50 to 100 kms on full charge. This makes customers wary about reaching their destination and returning back. It takes about 1 to 25 hours to fully charge an electric bike from zero charge to full charge according to www.escootertrends.com. For an ICE, it is a 5-minute drive through a gas station to fill the tank.
- Higher Price-
Manufacturers have a base model to work with when it comes to ICEs. Since EVs are new, manufacturing cost is higher as there are no previous models, leading to extended research and testing. High-performance batteries and sophisticated motors/motor drivers also add to the cost.
- Lack of Charging Stations-
EV is a growing Market. Compared to gas stations, charging stations are not readily available. As of March 2021, there are 1,800 charging stations in India, per EV industry body – Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles. This number is likely to grow in the near future as several state governments have already taken steps to promote EVs.
- Less Awareness and Limited Knowledge
How many EVs can you name? At the best 10? Though EVs have been around for few years now, much awareness is still missing. Steps are now being taken at a wide scale. Notably, the Indian Government has introduced the FAME scheme to provide subsidy and encourage EVs.
Cutting edge technologies are used in EVs. Local ICE mechanics might not know about half the components in an EV. Thus, most of the rural population are thinking twice to buy an EV as service facilities are scarce and far.
Bottom-line, EVs are a great alternative to ICEs. Overcoming these challenges are underway and the future of EVs in India look strong as many State Governments in India have also started incentivizing shift to EVs. Hopefully, in the near future, we can all move on to this clean, green, environmental friendly alternative.