Electric scooters were only rumoured about in India when I gave up riding two-wheelers in India. They were just a nice dream then. Plug in, charge up and ride away. Easy as that.

One of the first things I look for when I hear about any new electric vehicle - in India or abroad, two wheelers or four wheelers - is the range offered per charge. It has always disappointed. Even abroad, pure electric vehicles that can give you a substantial range on electric charge and battery packs are few.

However, seems there really IS a market for electric scooters in India. There are launches happening everywhere, press conferences to announce upcoming electric scooters with slightly better range than before and generally a lot of interest in the buying public too.

Today, I heard about the latest electric scooter which was announced - the EKO EV-60 electric scooter. For me, that was that much-heard of straw that broke the camel’s back. And here I am, trying to write about a topic which I had stayed away from for a very long time.

Without much ado, we get into the serious business of electric scooters below:

Scooter manufacturers are now furiously launching electric scooters to provide cost-effective alternatives to customers that are bearing the brunt of rising fuel prices. Most of them claim that the cost of running two-wheelers are less than Rs 1 per km. Two-wheeler players like EKO Vehicle, TVS, Indus Elec-Trans, Global Automobiles, Vijaya Value Electric, and Ultra Motors have launched eco-friendly electric scooters even as they plan to up manufacturing capabilities.

TVS Scooty Teenz Electric

TVS has launched its first electric scooter, the TVS Scooty Teenz electric scooter, that generates an average range of 40 km, for nine hours of charge. This can increase by fifty percent if the rider opts for lower speeds by using a unique feature of this electric bike, the range selector. The range selector allows the rider to select a preferred range, either high or low. The TVS Scooty Teenz also throws in a low charge indicator, storage space, and a mobile charger. The TVS Scooty Teenz has a 800W permanent magnet BLDC motor, a VRLA battery, and a CI and CV charger.

The TVS Scooty Teenz electric scooter is priced at Rs 37,425. The TVS Scooty Teenz is targeted at young women who need to travel approximately 15-25 kms per day.

TVS Scooty Teenz electric scooter website

Ultra Motor Marathon, Velociti and Optima electric scooters

In the high-end segment, Ultra Motors launched the Marathon electric scooter, on July 29 2008, priced at Rs 31,047 (US$ 730.688) ex-showroom. Ultra Motors claims that Marathon can travel 100 Kms on a single charge. The Marathon has an SLA Battery and a 48V / 24 AH battery capacity. That 100 km range makes it a very practical option indeed.

The highest range for an electric scooter in India - the Ultra Motors Marathon?

Ultra Motors Marathon electric scooter

Ultra Motors says that its Velociti and Optima electric two-wheelers that it launched in April 2008, have already sold around 300 units so far in India, and is an indicator of the demand for electric scooters. Velociti has a 50 km charge range with a top speed of 40 km/hr. For most small towns in India, that is an adequate speed.

Ultra Motors says that the Velociti’s running costs are 10 paise per km, that is almost 1/10th of petrol two wheelers.

The Velociti electric two-wheeler has an 48V / 24 AH SLA Battery, BDLC motor, charge indicator, hydraulic disc brakes, and front and rear reflectors. The Optima offers a range of 70 km per charge and a maximum speed of 25km per hour. Both, Marathon and Velociti use impulse inertia technology that gives it higher speed of 40 km/h. The Velociti and Optima electric two-wheelers are priced at Rs 34,000 and Rs 29,000, respectively.

Ultra Motors electric scooters website

EKO Vehicle EV60 electric scooter and Cosmic

EKO vehicles plans to launch its EV60 electric scooter in September 2008 in India.  The EKO EV60 electric scooter will be priced at Rs 39,600, and is the second electric scooter, after Cosmic, from the EKO stable. EKO vehicles says that EKO electric scooters will have a 10-15 minute rapid charging system, set up at select parking lots in cities and towns in India, that will replenish 85-90 percent of the battery capacity of a 20 AH power pack.

Quickest charging for electric scooters in India - 15 minues!

The EKO Cosmic electric scooter provides a speed of 40 km/hr and a 40 - 50 km/charge range. The battery recharge time for the EKO Cosmic is 4 - 6 hours. The company claims that EKO vehicles cost Rs 0.08 per Km as opposed to petrol scooters that cost Rs 1/km.

EKovehicle EV60 electric scooter

YoSmart electric scooter

YoSpeed electric scooter from Indus

Indus Elec-Trans’ launched its YOSpeed electric scooter in March 2008. The YOSpeed has a BLDC hub 750W motor, maximum speed of 45km/hr, and a charging time of 6 to 8 hours. The Indus YOSpeed has, 33AH batteries, powerful headlamp, tail lamp, blinkers and a sari guard for the pillion rider.

The YOSpeed provides a range of 75 - 80 km for 70kg and 55 - 60 km for 135 kg. The company claims that the YOSpeed runs 500 kms for Rs 50 and the battery will run for 20,000 kms. Indus Elec-Trans’ YOSpeed is priced at Rs 36,650.

YoSpeed electric scooter website

Luminous upcoming electric scooter

Power Technologies plans to launch four electric scooter models; two in September 2008 and two by 2010. The four Luminous models will be priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 45,000.

You can read the latest story on the Luminous Lectrix scooter here

Vijaya Glide 25 and Glide 25 Super electric scooters

Glide 25 Super electric scooter

Vijaya Value Electric range of battery powered scooters include Glide 25 and Glide 25 Super. Glide 25 has a top speed of 25kms/hr and can cover 40-50 kms per charge with a charging duration of 5-6 hours. Glide 25 has 48 V Sealed maintenance free battery, and power consumption of 1 KWH for full charge.

The Glide 25 Super is an upgraded version of Glide 25 that has the same top speed and charging time as the Glide 25. Though, the Glide 25 Super can cover 70-75 kms per charge and a higher load capacity of 90 Kgs.

The Vijaya Glide electric scooter website

Well, that’s about it for now. If you plan to buy an electric scooter, do tell us what you have in mind, and why you want to go for that particular model.

I would also encourage you to leave comments, and questions if any. If we are not accurate in any of the details of the elctric scooters, do correct us.

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