Need advice on electric scooter

raghutk · 28th January 2008, 14:19

Team,
I would like your advice on electric scooters esp the Hero Ultra Velocity as it has the maximum power output of 750w from the lot.
Questions?
1. Will it reliable.
2. Can it withstand all the indian road conditions esp in Banglore.
3. How much load it can take.

Please let me know your inputs.

ravradha · 28th January 2008, 15:40

Please take a test drive with a pillion on a overbridge. Most electric bikes cant climb. This makes them useless.

hollywoodhogan · 28th January 2008, 15:46

stay away from electric scooter. they are not yet good enough to use for doubles riding and have terrible range. it will take another 5-7 years of technological improvements before they are worth considering for use in india.

phamilyman · 28th January 2008, 16:04

Actually, bridges are fine. Take any of these babies on a good road - the koramangla flyover comes to my mind with enough traffic. Or even the BTM layout road. Let traffic pass you on both sides. Then ask yourself whether that utterly helpless feeling of being a prey is worth the money?

motorheadinc · 28th January 2008, 16:06

1. Will it reliable.
I have test driven a few electric bikes but found them to be terrible. Not to mention i have an overweight 6 foot frame. Not that i was planning to buy one. Test drove due to curiosity. When it comes to hero group I would say take a test drive to decide.

2. Can it withstand all the indian road conditions esp in Banglore.
I haven't been around in bangalore much apart from occasional trips. As far as i have seen riding single on these bikes will be good enough considering the "oh so slow" traffic in bangalore. The best part is that unlike 2 wheelers they don't consume any fuel( energy) on standstill.

3. How much load it can take.
At straight roads two medium sized adults. At uphills maybe not even one.

PS please consider the fact that "cost of new battery" + "electricity consumed" in terms of money needs to be very less as compared to fueling up a petrol vehicle. Else it doen't make any sense economically and there is no driving pleasure et all

svsantosh · 14th March 2008, 10:31

Raghu...if ur serious about going the electric way then wait for a few months... TVS is testing its Electric Scooty since june 2007... still ironing out the creases i believe... its looks cool and best part... if it hits the road... that will be the only elec automobile in india to have 100's of service stations

... the Eco bike in blr has only a few...!!! the Hero elec bike has hardly any across india..!!! sad...

(

- Reva car has hmmm.... less than all the digits on my body - 20 i think across india)

trrk · 14th March 2008, 15:14

Hi,

Though not directly related to the question,

we bought a no brand electric moped / cycle with a speed limit of around 30kph and a range of 30-35km per charge. It does not have a speedo / odo meter, only has a meter showing the charge.

We have used it upto an estimated 25km on a charge, single person of average build.

It s 18months old, runs without a problem, no punctures yet and absolutely no maintenance so far. It takes 4 hours to charge completely and uses 1 unit of electricity (measured) in the process.

At 26 working days for an average month it is 468 days of usage. If I use a petrol moped for this, even if it consumes a litre of petrol every 3 days, it would be approximately 156 litres of petrol and at about 48.04 per litre would have costed about Rs 7500. Even assuming a unit everyday for charging it would be Rs 2340.00 at Rs 5 a unit. Add servicing cost for the moped.

I am happy with it. Of course, it has its limitations, but if it can be used with the limitations, it is worthwhile. This is 250W machine and does not need registration or insurance to be on the road and no license to ride it. If the charge is over, it can be pedalled.

It cost me 12900 and the present cost is Rs 13500. Local service is available if needed.

bblost · 14th March 2008, 15:20

@trrk

Bike Pictures, please.

14th March 2008, 15:23

@trrk- where did you get this scooter from? its very interesting! have been toying with the idea of electric scooters for sometime.

trrk · 14th March 2008, 15:40

Hi,

> @trrk- where did you get this scooter from? its very interesting! have been
> toying with the idea of electric scooters for sometime.

I specifically said moped / cycle. It can't be classified as a scooter. I bought it in Alleppey itself. If you want a better looking one than what I have is also available in another showroom. But it is 18000. Then you have scooterettes for Rs 22000 and 26000. These are all imported. All these that I have mentioned don't need registartion or insurance nor a license.

The Hero scooter in question with the 750W pack costs more, but also can be compared to a regular scooter and needs registration, insurance, license and a helmet.

bblost · 14th March 2008, 16:16

I did see a chinese import electric cycle for about 14k at Metro Hyderabad.

phamilyman · 14th March 2008, 16:29

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo

If you live/plan to use it through any decent traffic area - please DONT. These are SUICIDE machines.

They reach their top speed (read 25-30) ultra quick and then zilch. They have lesser stability and are a nuisance in areas where traffic is fast. Back in amdavad where they are VERY common, they keep putting their owners in harm's way - its just too slow to survive in half decent traffic.

trrk · 14th March 2008, 17:32

Hi bblost,

> Bike Pictures, please.

It is an electric cycle / moped. Must be similar to the one you have seen.

Here they are:

gentlerowdy · 1st April 2008, 00:01

Look...i have done a research in this sgement to reply your doubt, honestly right noow the HRO Ultra velocity is the best option but than its leg space is not that satifactory, the TVS E sccoty is ****T do not thnk to but it as its over all travel radious per charge is quite less, YO bikes are like use & throw, I suggest you buy the 750 watt Machine comming from the HERO ULTRA company that is supposed to get launched in a few days...

007 Bond · 5th April 2008, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by gentlerowdy

Look...i have done a research in this sgement to reply your doubt, honestly right noow the HRO Ultra velocity is the best option but than its leg space is not that satifactory, the TVS E sccoty is ****T do not thnk to but it as its over all travel radious per charge is quite less, YO bikes are like use & throw, I suggest you buy the 750 watt Machine comming from the HERO ULTRA company that is supposed to get launched in a few days...

Now Hero Ultra have parted away... so the new vehicle may be months away on the other hand yo speed motor has a 750 watt motor with carrying capacity of 130 kg having range of 50 kms. & 60 kms for 70kg.

There is no vehicle available to match its capacity having a decent network & also there are fair reviews for yo speed... u can go with it.

28th January 2008, 14:19	#1
raghutk BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 89 Thanked: 45 Times	Need advice on electric scooter Team, I would like your advice on electric scooters esp the Hero Ultra Velocity as it has the maximum power output of 750w from the lot. Questions? 1. Will it reliable. 2. Can it withstand all the indian road conditions esp in Banglore. 3. How much load it can take. Please let me know your inputs.
	() Thanks

28th January 2008, 15:40	#2
ravradha BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 231 Thanked: 161 Times View My Garage	Test drive Please take a test drive with a pillion on a overbridge. Most electric bikes cant climb. This makes them useless.
	() Thanks

28th January 2008, 15:46	#3
hollywoodhogan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 423 Thanked: 14 Times	stay away from electric scooter. they are not yet good enough to use for doubles riding and have terrible range. it will take another 5-7 years of technological improvements before they are worth considering for use in india.
	() Thanks

28th January 2008, 16:04	#4
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Actually, bridges are fine. Take any of these babies on a good road - the koramangla flyover comes to my mind with enough traffic. Or even the BTM layout road. Let traffic pass you on both sides. Then ask yourself whether that utterly helpless feeling of being a prey is worth the money?
	() Thanks

28th January 2008, 16:06	#5
motorheadinc BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: University of Bath Posts: 297 Thanked: Once	1. Will it reliable. I have test driven a few electric bikes but found them to be terrible. Not to mention i have an overweight 6 foot frame. Not that i was planning to buy one. Test drove due to curiosity. When it comes to hero group I would say take a test drive to decide. 2. Can it withstand all the indian road conditions esp in Banglore. I haven't been around in bangalore much apart from occasional trips. As far as i have seen riding single on these bikes will be good enough considering the "oh so slow" traffic in bangalore. The best part is that unlike 2 wheelers they don't consume any fuel( energy) on standstill. 3. How much load it can take. At straight roads two medium sized adults. At uphills maybe not even one. PS please consider the fact that "cost of new battery" + "electricity consumed" in terms of money needs to be very less as compared to fueling up a petrol vehicle. Else it doen't make any sense economically and there is no driving pleasure et all
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 10:31	#6
svsantosh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 3,996 Thanked: 6,282 Times View My Garage	TVS Scooty ELEC Raghu...if ur serious about going the electric way then wait for a few months... TVS is testing its Electric Scooty since june 2007... still ironing out the creases i believe... its looks cool and best part... if it hits the road... that will be the only elec automobile in india to have 100's of service stations... the Eco bike in blr has only a few...!!! the Hero elec bike has hardly any across india..!!! sad... ( - Reva car has hmmm.... less than all the digits on my body - 20 i think across india)
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 15:14	#7
trrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alleppey, Kerala Posts: 2,114 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Electric moped / cycle Hi, Though not directly related to the question, we bought a no brand electric moped / cycle with a speed limit of around 30kph and a range of 30-35km per charge. It does not have a speedo / odo meter, only has a meter showing the charge. We have used it upto an estimated 25km on a charge, single person of average build. It s 18months old, runs without a problem, no punctures yet and absolutely no maintenance so far. It takes 4 hours to charge completely and uses 1 unit of electricity (measured) in the process. At 26 working days for an average month it is 468 days of usage. If I use a petrol moped for this, even if it consumes a litre of petrol every 3 days, it would be approximately 156 litres of petrol and at about 48.04 per litre would have costed about Rs 7500. Even assuming a unit everyday for charging it would be Rs 2340.00 at Rs 5 a unit. Add servicing cost for the moped. I am happy with it. Of course, it has its limitations, but if it can be used with the limitations, it is worthwhile. This is 250W machine and does not need registration or insurance to be on the road and no license to ride it. If the charge is over, it can be pedalled. It cost me 12900 and the present cost is Rs 13500. Local service is available if needed.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 15:20	#8
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,341 Times View My Garage	@trrk Bike Pictures, please.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 15:23	#9
rippergeo Posts: n/a	@trrk- where did you get this scooter from? its very interesting! have been toying with the idea of electric scooters for sometime.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 15:40	#10
trrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alleppey, Kerala Posts: 2,114 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Hi, > @trrk- where did you get this scooter from? its very interesting! have been > toying with the idea of electric scooters for sometime. I specifically said moped / cycle. It can't be classified as a scooter. I bought it in Alleppey itself. If you want a better looking one than what I have is also available in another showroom. But it is 18000. Then you have scooterettes for Rs 22000 and 26000. These are all imported. All these that I have mentioned don't need registartion or insurance nor a license. The Hero scooter in question with the 750W pack costs more, but also can be compared to a regular scooter and needs registration, insurance, license and a helmet.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 16:16	#11
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,341 Times View My Garage	I did see a chinese import electric cycle for about 14k at Metro Hyderabad.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 16:29	#12
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooo If you live/plan to use it through any decent traffic area - please DONT. These are SUICIDE machines. They reach their top speed (read 25-30) ultra quick and then zilch. They have lesser stability and are a nuisance in areas where traffic is fast. Back in amdavad where they are VERY common, they keep putting their owners in harm's way - its just too slow to survive in half decent traffic.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 17:32	#13
trrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alleppey, Kerala Posts: 2,114 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Hi bblost, > Bike Pictures, please. It is an electric cycle / moped. Must be similar to the one you have seen. Here they are: Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 00:01	#14
gentlerowdy BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: madras Posts: 41 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Look...i have done a research in this sgement to reply your doubt, honestly right noow the HRO Ultra velocity is the best option but than its leg space is not that satifactory, the TVS E sccoty is ****T do not thnk to but it as its over all travel radious per charge is quite less, YO bikes are like use & throw, I suggest you buy the 750 watt Machine comming from the HERO ULTRA company that is supposed to get launched in a few days...
	() Thanks