[nairrk]

Hero Electric has launched an updated Optima HX city-speed electric scooter that comes equipped with new features to enable a smoother riding experience. The city speed scooter offers the cruise control feature along with an updated speedometer that shows if the feature is engaged.

Thanks to the availability of the cruise control feature, the Hero Optima HX enables the rider to enjoy riding at a constant speed, thereby increasing the ease of usage. The user can switch on the cruise control feature simply by a push of a button and once activated, the updated speedometer reflects the same to the rider. The feature can be then deactivated either by braking or by twisting the throttle. The Hero Electric is on sale at INR 55,580* for the single-battery version and INR 65,640* for the dual-battery variant.

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[jignesh.pithia]

That should be a must have feature for EV bikes

[gkveda]

Is this feature really usable in Indian cities where

1. For every 50 metres, there are Speed breakers
2. Between any two speed breakers, there are at least 2 or 3 craters and pot holes
3. Every 1 km, there are traffic signals
4. If driven on cross roads, there are playgrounds on roads for children to play cricket and other national games
5. Sand dumped on roadside for building construction and spread over till center of the road

I think the manufacturers should think of Indian city conditions before adding features like this.

I am sure if this e-scooty was for highway use(which certainly is not, considering the range battery has), cruise control might have helped. But definitely not for city rides.

[nairrk]

Originally Posted by gkveda

Is this feature really usable in Indian cities

Cruise control option on electric scooters can be beneficial on long rides, especially on a straight line ride. But then you have a mileage range restriction on electric scooters so this may not be workable.

In my opinion, except the few who regularly use for commuting to their office/workplace most others use scooters for short trips/shopping needs to whom this feature is not at all useful.

[pkulkarni.2106]

Pardon my lack of knowledge - but why does anyone need cruise control on a bike?
Let's say someone switched on the cruise control, then what? Will they get to get their right hand off the handle bar? Even if they did so, will they get any relief?

[railfanwithk750]

On an EV, Cruise Control may give a theoretical range benefit as it will help maintain a constant speed (as opposed to manual speed modulation). However, it's very unlikely in the real world.

[VW2010]

Let's say someone switched on the cruise control, then what? Will they get to get their right hand off the handle bar? Even if they did so, will they get any relief?

It is not about removing the hands of the handlebar. Constant throttle still requires effort. Considering the new generation of mobile phone users and delivery boys and squids as delivery boys, I believe this is a boon. You can TikTok while riding, adjust your hair and sunglasses while not worrying about throttle and most importantly video call your partner.

Jokes apart a cruise control in bike definitely helps. I have added those manual cruise control(basically throttle holders) and have enjoyed riding around even inside the city. I use my car cruise inside the city whenever I get a chance and it's pretty neat and easy to forget about trying to rush to a place or constantly keep braking. Many of these bikes are not just city-only bikes and they do ride a lot on highways between towns. A cruise allows you to stop worrying about one less thing and relax a bit. There are many times I let the cruise holder take over on the highway and relax my hands and shoulders, resting it on the tank. The pain starts only after 100kms and while you are right that many may not take this bike beyond that range very often, a cruise control in a bike helps a lot.

[sreeharipv]

I went to a Hero Electric Showroom in Thrissur couple of days ago. Their products are really substandard and no one should buy them in my opinion. All of them are really flimsy and not well put together. This is a company that has been in the market for quite some time and still they don't have a product they have developed in house. The showroom folks don’t know between kW and kWh, battery voltage, size or any useful info for that matter. The battery is hanging above the rear wheel in a plastic box. The wires are all loose and astray. The instrument cluster is from 1990.

And then, the guys in the showroom saw my Ather 450X (first one they are seeing) and were quick to point out that it doesn't have a removable battery.

I don't know how this company is not bankrupt.

[abhishek46]

Originally Posted by sreeharipv

I went to a Hero Electric Showroom in Thrissur couple of days ago. Their products are really substandard and no one should buy them in my opinion. All of them are really flimsy and not well put together. This is a company that has been in the market for quite some time and still they don't have a product they have developed in house. The showroom folks don’t know between kW and kWh, battery voltage, size or any useful info for that matter. The battery is hanging above the rear wheel in a plastic box. The wires are all loose and astray. The instrument cluster is from 1990.

And then, the guys in the showroom saw my Ather 450X (first one they are seeing) and were quick to point out that it doesn't have a removable battery.

I don't know how this company is not bankrupt.

Agree 100%.
Compared to Ather or even the Ola S1, this just looks sad.

In my opinion, with products like these, they are just ruining their brand name.

[warrioraks]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

Agree 100%.
Compared to Ather or even the Ola S1, this just looks sad.

In my opinion, with products like these, they are just ruining their brand name.

I am no lover of Hero, but comparing a 60k scooter to a 1 lac scooter might be too much of a stretch.

Coming to the topic, cruise control for a city based scooter makes no sense. Sounds like a gimmick.

[efuture]

Maintaining constant speed and discharge current in an electric bike is very difficult. Electric vehicle is very sensitive to throttle input and if you want to drive it at a constant speed it is very difficult. This will hugely impact the range and wh/km.

Driving electric bike with cruise control is very simple. Turn on the switch and it will go on its own, then when you are anticipating to stop, just turn off the cruise and lift and coast till you want to stop. Watch the mirrors for "pullingo's", share auto and govt. bus and enjoy your city ride without any pain.

I've personally used a electric bike with my own version of cruise control (i'm calling it so). I initially installed it for occasional solo weekend trip to kovalam and Mahabalipuram, but it worked really well in chennai city traffic as well. Chennai road and traffic is not comparable to other cities, but I can say this will be useful in chennai traffic.

[novice_alto]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

Agree 100%.
Compared to Ather or even the Ola S1, this just looks sad.

In my opinion, with products like these, they are just ruining their brand name.

I think we are forgetting the price range and target audience for Hero/Okinawa etc. are different and Ather/Ola/TVS/Bajaj etc. are different.

[Everlearner]

We are also forgetting the biggest advantage Hero has over Ola and Ather i.e. removable batteries. Apartment dwellers can't buy Ather or Ola as of now except for a minority who have charging facilities in parking spot. I'm really irritated why these companies are not thinking about removable batteries, though there will be challenges with BMS etc.,

[Andaleeb]

Not excited much about cruise control, but a simple looking electric bike with dual battery setup at 65,640/- from Hero looks interesting to me.

[padmrajravi]

Originally Posted by sreeharipv

I don't know how this company is not bankrupt.

Could be because they are intelligent enough to realize that removable battery is the primary feature that will help them capture the rural India market.

Anyway, this scooter is sold at an entirely different price point. I feel the offerings from Hero are what will democratize the EV scooter for the people who don't care about the coolness factor. A simple scooter with a removable battery and 100 odd km of usable range seems enticing to me.