Snazzy e-bikes lure young riders
As petrol prices go through the roof, the 11th Auto Expo 2012 in Delhi has brought some relief in the form of electric bikes. Being branded environment-friendly is another attraction that has the automobile companies lining up a smart range of e-bikes. If the huge interest shown by the visitors is anything to go by, the auto makers are completely on the money.
While Hero Electric India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Hero Group, displayed its range of bikes such as Max, Zion, Optima plus and E-spirit; Suzuki came up with its range of lithium-run machines. Hero Electric claims that its bikes are priced competitively starting from `23,000 onwards. “Our target are youngsters, especially teenagers and young women. Our bikes are easy to maintain and are very affordable,” says Darshita Gunwant, of Hero Electric.
Hero Honda’s famous tagline ‘Fill it, shut it, forget it,’ has undergone a change for the e-bikes. It is now ‘Plug in. Plug out. Ride!’ These gear-less e-bikes score on style factor too, a must to attract the youngsters. Take TVS Qube, a hybrid vehicle that can run on petrol and battery. It has stylish wheel caps, a speedometer console, seat with fused tail lights giving the scooter a refreshing look. Most of the bikes come in vibrant colours too. TVS hopes to launch its scooter early this year.
Noida-based Lohia Auto Industries has launched its e-bike ‘Genius’. Lohia claims that Genius is super-economical costing just 10 paisa per km. Most of these e-bikes promise to cover around 70 km per charge which can take anywhere between six to eight hours and they can be charged by any three pin plug.
“It’s time to forget petrol bikes and take a smooth ride on these electric bikes,” suggests Nitin Sahai, assistant manager, sales, Lohia Auto Industries. Some of the e-bikes come with features that can rival high range bikes like anti-theft alarms, anti-skid brakes and polycarbonate headlamps. Of course, if you are looking for speed, these are not the bikes for you. Most of these bikes have a maximum speed of 25 km per hour.
Sahil Garg, 21, a BBA student says that his search for an economical and environmental friendly scooter may have come to end after a visit to the Expo. “I would definitely own a e-bike soon. With the rise in price of petrol, electric vehicles are a great option,” says Garg. His father better get ready to sign a cheque.
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