The on-road presence of electric vehicles in India has witnessed a remarkable surge, notably in the electric scooters market, which has experienced significant growth in recent months.
Several factors have contributed to this expansion, including government support in the form of incentives and tax benefits, heightened public awareness, and a reduction in concerns about limited driving range. Although the higher cost of electric vehicles has been a point of concern, the growing rate of adoption is driving increased competition and affordability, particularly in the electric two-wheeler segment.
If you’re seeking an enjoyable and eco-friendly means of commuting within the city, you’re in luck! In this blog post for 2023, we will discuss the best electric scooters available.
Advantages of Electric Scooters
Each year, the automotive industry sees the introduction of increasingly powerful and efficient electric vehicles, silently transforming transportation. Electric bikes and scooters come with a set of pros and cons, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Environmentally Friendly
In considering the pros and cons of electric bikes, their most compelling selling point is their eco-friendliness. These vehicles do not emit smoke or rely on fossil fuels.
Lower Operating Costs
While the initial cost of electric bikes and scooters may be slightly higher than that of conventional two-wheelers, the long-term savings on fuel expenses make them a cost-effective choice. With rising fuel prices, many individuals opt for electric vehicles to reduce their daily commuting costs.
Minimal Maintenance
One of the primary advantages when comparing pros and cons is the simplicity of maintaining electric scooters. Consequently, the upkeep of electric motorcycles is more cost-effective compared to traditional vehicles.
Reduced Noise
Traditional vehicles are known for producing significant noise while in operation, contributing to noise pollution in bustling urban areas. Electric bikes offer the distinct advantage of generating very little noise.
Lightweight
Electric scooters are lightweight due to their straightforward design and minimal components. This makes them compact and convenient for parking.
10 Best Electric Scooters in India for 2023
- Bajaj Chetak EV
Bajaj, a well-respected brand in India, is renowned for its quality. Having previously offered premium gasoline-powered scooters under the Chetak brand, they introduced an electric scooter in 2019. The Bajaj Chetak EV boasts a 3kW battery with a range of 85 to 95 kilometers and a charging time of 5 hours. With its 3800w BLDC engine, it can reach a top speed of 78kmph, perfectly suitable for Indian road conditions. This outstanding scooter is currently recognized as one of India’s best electric scooter brands, backed by a three-year battery warranty.
The Chetak EV features a sleek front design with a horseshoe-shaped LED headlight accompanied by DRLs, a smart apron design with sharp detailing, and LED indicators. Additionally, it incorporates a trailing link suspension in the front and a single-sided swingarm in the rear. Designers have left the front and rear alloy wheels exposed, contributing to the Chetak’s elegant and streamlined appearance.
- Ather 450X
The Ather 450X is available at a price range of Rs. 1.26 lakh to Rs. 1.45 lakh and comes in two variants: the 450 Plus and the higher-end 450X, which is priced at Rs. 1.45 lakh. It is powered by a 6kW 26Nm Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMS) Motor coupled with a new 21,700 cell lithium-ion battery pack and a battery management system (BMS). In Ride mode, it offers a claimed range of 70 kilometers, while in Eco mode, it extends to 85 kilometers. The Ather 450X can accelerate from 0 to 40 kilometers per hour in just 3.41 seconds when in Warp mode.
Ather Energy has embraced a contemporary design approach for the 450X, resulting in a practical e-scooter with a sporty aesthetic. The scooter’s design is cohesive, from its sleek bodywork to the front-mounted LED headlight.
The Ather 450X stands out as the best electric scooter loaded with features, including connectivity, comprehensive LED lighting, smart functionalities such as integrated Google Maps navigation, and digital document storage. All of these features are accessible via the 7-inch color touchscreen, which runs on an open-source version of the Android operating system and is powered by a 1.3 GHz Snapdragon processor.
One of its recent additions is Bluetooth-based music and call controls, and it also features a built-in 4G LTE SIM card.
The Ather 450X faces competition from newcomers like the Ola S1 Pro and the Simple One, in addition to established rivals such as the Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube electric scooters.
- TVS iQube Electric
The cost of the TVS iQube Electric has been reduced by Rs 11,250, due to the revised government subsidy program known as Fame 2.
The TVS iQube Electric is available in 20 cities across India. To facilitate this expansion, TVS has partnered with Convergence Energy Services, collaborating on a charging network development initiative supported by the Government of India.
The TVS iQube Electric is priced at Rs. 1.55 lakh (Ex-Showroom) and is exclusively available in its STD variant.
This best electric scooter is equipped with a 4.4kW electric hub motor and two 2.25kWh lithium-ion batteries, delivering a claimed top speed of 78kmph and a range of up to 75 kilometers on a full charge. Impressively, it can accelerate from 0 to 40 kilometers per hour in just 4.2 seconds, providing brisk performance. In Eco mode, the scooter’s top speed is limited to 40 kph.
The scooter’s chassis features telescopic forks in the front and dual shocks in the rear, ensuring a comfortable ride. To enhance stability, it combines a front disc brake with a rear drum unit. The iQube rides on 12-inch wheels borrowed from the Jupiter Grande and has a total weight of 118 kg.
Key features of the TVS iQube Electric scooter include a USB charging port, an illuminated emblem near the drivetrain, LED lighting, an under-seat light, and a full-color digital display that can seamlessly connect to your smartphone. Notable functionalities include various riding modes, day and night display options, Q-park assistance, and regenerative braking.
With the help of smartphone connectivity, you can conveniently access a range of information, including previous ride data, overspeeding and emergency alerts, battery charge status, last parked location, navigational guidance, and call/SMS notifications.
Competing in the electric scooter market, the TVS iQube Electric faces rivals such as the Ather 450 Plus and Bajaj Chetak. TVS stands by its product with a generous 3-year/50,000-kilometer warranty for the iQube.
- Ola Electric
The Ola electric scooter, specifically the S1 model, comes with an enticing starting price of Rs. 89,999, offering Indian consumers an affordable two-wheeled electric mobility option. The Ola Electric S1 scooter has gained popularity in India.
Ola, originally a ride-sharing service, has evolved into a significant corporate entity. In 2020, Ola expanded its horizons by establishing Ola Electric, the automotive division, which has swiftly made a substantial impact. This journey commenced with the acquisition of the Dutch company Etergo, whose AppScooter technology served as the foundation for Ola Electric’s maiden electric scooter, the S1.
Ola exclusively offers the S1 model of electric scooters, which is available in two variants: the standard and the Pro. The Pro version boasts a larger battery, increased power, and additional features such as cruise control and voice commands. Notably, both scooters are entirely keyless, utilizing a proximity sensor and a key code for operation.
Ola’s commitment extends to providing enduring mobility solutions to its Indian customer base. As a result, the S1 is just the beginning, with plans to introduce an electric motorcycle, a more affordable scooter option, and potentially even an electric car.
- Okinawa Ridge Plus
The Okinawa Ridge Plus, a well-known electric scooter in the Indian market, is available at an attractive price starting from just Rs. 90,606. It comes in a single version and color option. This electric scooter is powered by an 800 W motor and features an electronically assisted braking system, along with front and rear drum brakes for enhanced safety.
Okinawa’s signature scooter, the Ridge Plus, stands out due to its lithium-ion battery, providing an impressive 120 km range on a single charge, surpassing the performance of the Praise model. The scooter is capable of reaching a top speed of 55 kilometers per hour. It offers similar features to the Praise, including keyless entry, an anti-theft alarm, electronic-ABS (e-ABS), and a handy “Find My Scooter” feature.
The Okinawa Ridge Plus is available in two color options, dark blue and an appealing orange-and-gray combination. With its feature-rich package, it faces limited competition in the Indian electric scooter market, even though Hero Electric and Yo-Bikes offer a variety of electric scooters.
- Okinawa iPraise+
While the Okinawa iPraise+ shares similarities with the Okinawa Praise, it sets itself apart with the use of lithium-ion batteries and a host of new luxury features. The standout feature of this scooter is its removable lithium-ion battery pack, offering the convenience of home charging. Okinawa asserts that lithium-ion battery charging is notably faster, about 30–40% more so than lead-acid battery charging. Reportedly, the scooter’s battery provides an impressive range of 160–180 kilometers.
Users can conveniently access various features via an Android smartphone app, including geotagging, GPS functionality, locating the scooter, monitoring battery health, and checking the vehicle’s status. The Okinawa iPraise+ is competitively priced at Rs. 1.45 lakh (Ex-Showroom).
Okinawa claims that the iPraise features a detachable lithium-ion battery with an impressive range of 160–180 kilometers and a speedy charging time of 2-3 hours. This stylish scooter comes equipped with dual front discs and gas-charged front forks, while its headlights and taillights are both powered by energy-efficient LEDs.
- E Pluto 7G
The PURE EPluto 7G stands as a premium electric scooter in India, meticulously crafted to provide riders with an exceptionally enjoyable journey. Its intelligent, multi-speed design empowers riders with complete control, whether they seek an exhilarating long-distance ride or a daily commute through congested traffic.
Concerns often arise regarding the cost, range, and battery life of electric scooters. With the EPluto 7G, those concerns are put to rest, as it offers an emission-free and anxiety-free ride, capable of covering substantial distances when accompanied by a travel companion. Developed for the Indian market, this serene ride was born out of innovation at IIT Hyderabad.
The PURE EV Epluto 7G is an electric scooter that comes with drum brakes in both the front and rear. It has a kerb weight of 79 kg and features alloy wheels and standard tubeless tires.
- Hero Electric Optima
In the Indian market, the Hero Electric Optima electric scooter is attractively priced, starting at just Rs. 1,06,590. It offers a choice of two variants and comes in four distinct colors, with the top model priced at Rs. 1,29,890. The Hero Electric Optima is equipped with a 250 W motor, and its braking system involves both front and rear drum brakes, providing a combined braking system for enhanced safety.
The Hero Electric Optima is available in two models: the Comfort Speed (CS) and City Speed (HX) (LX). Notably, the LX model offers the flexibility of two different battery options: Lithium-ion and lead-acid (LA). Both LX models have a maximum speed of 25 mph. The lead-acid variant is reported to have a range of 50 km per charge, while the lithium-ion version extends the range to 85 km per charge. Charging a lead-acid battery takes approximately eight to ten hours.
Hero Electric stands as one of India’s most reliable automotive brands, known for producing high-quality and durable vehicles that carry a strong reputation. The Hero Electric Optima is among the most popular choices for electric scooters or bikes in India.
The Hero Optima HX scooter offers a reasonable and accessible price point, featuring a 51.2 V, 30Ah battery and a BLDC motor. With a 550W motor, this scooter achieves a maximum speed of 42 kmph and provides a remarkable 122-kilometer driving range on a single charge. Charging the battery fully takes between 4 to 5 hours.
This scooter is available in both single and dual-battery models, with the single-battery model priced at approximately 56,000 rupees and the dual-battery model at around 66,000 rupees. It’s worth noting that the lithium-ion version requires a shorter charging time. As the Optima (LX) is classified as a slow-speed scooter, registration is not mandatory, offering a hassle-free ownership experience.
- Hero Photon
The Hero Electric Photon electric scooter is available in India, starting at Rs. 1,10,891, with a single color and variant option. This electric scooter is driven by a robust 1200 W motor, offering impressive power. It boasts a dual-wheel braking system that combines a front disc brake for enhanced aesthetics and rear drum brakes for effective stopping power.
Hero Electric, based in Ludhiana, a city in Punjab, stands as India’s leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers. Among their latest offerings, the Photon electric scooter shines as a high-performance addition. The new Photon stands out with two distinct driving modes: Power and Economy. In the Power mode, it attains a top speed of 45 kmph, ensuring an electrifying ride.
- Detel EV
The Detel EV electric scooter comes with a meager price tag and the best part is, you don’t need a license to ride it. Equipped with a 250-watt motor, this scooter achieves a respectable top speed of 25 kph. Despite its compact and lightweight design, it offers a range of 60 kilometers on a full charge. It’s an excellent choice for urban commuting and comes with the added benefit of a three-year battery warranty.
Conclusion
In a world that’s constantly evolving, embracing the electric revolution has never been more exciting. From the high-speed thrills of the Ather 450X to the practical elegance of the Bajaj Chetak EV, the electric scooter market in India is buzzing with innovation. As we journey through the streets on these eco-friendly companions, one thing becomes clear: the future of transportation is electric, and it’s here to stay.
So, if you’re hungry for more insights, the latest trends, and in-depth information on the electrifying world of electric vehicles, head over to EV Infotain, a leading EV blog. There, you’ll discover a treasure trove of knowledge to keep you up to speed on all things electric, as we together charge into a cleaner, greener future.
Explore, learn, and join the electric revolution today!