Fossil fuel as a primary source of power has left a huge gap for affordable, clean and sustainable fuel alternatives for the automotive industry. As, a result, a lot of innovations have inundated in the market, ranging from ethanol and hybrid fuel options, and to a limited extent, hydrogen is also being used. However, one sustainable alternative that represents a promising future is electric vehicles (EVs).
In this respect, the most obvious comparison that comes to mind is that of an e scooter vs petrol scooter.
Price
The sustainability factor for any electric vehicle comes at a personal cost for most EV owners. However, it is a wise and practical decision in the long run. In the pricing comparison of EV vs petrol scooter, an e-scooter has a higher upfront cost since the technology is relatively new and evolving. Also, the major portion of the cost is that of the battery. To promote this transition, the government has incentivized the purchase through tax rebates, subsidies, interest subventions, and road tax exemptions, among others.
If you are comparing the long-term ownership cost of petrol vs electric scooters, then the electric scooter will be a more budget-friendly option.
Refueling & Recharging
• Refueling - Refueling a petrol scooter is easy since there’s a widespread network of fuel stations in both urban and rural areas. This is the key reason behind the long-standing popularity of petrol powered scooters globally.
• Recharging - Recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles is in a development phase in India. That being said, it has gained traction; the country currently has 12,000+ EV chargers, with the network expanding at a rapid pace. Comparing the charging/refuelling of an electric vs petrol scooter, the per kW price of electricity is a fraction of the per litre cost of petrol. Now, with the option of fast charging, owning an e-scooter has become more convenient than ever. In essence, charging an EV is quite affordable due to lower electricity prices and higher vehicle efficiency.
Environmental Impact
Despite stricter emission norms, petrol scooters contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions. Electric scooters, on the other hand, do not burn any fuel for power; they rely on stored electricity which gets converted into kinetic energy through a motor that propels the scooter. Even though petrol scooters are improving in terms of emission levels, they still trail behind electric scooters in terms of carbon footprint.
Range
Range is one of the most crucial factors for any two-wheeler buyer when comparing an electric vs petrol scooter. Petrol scooters have an edge in this department thanks to an established network of fuel stations around the country. Also, refueling an ICE-powered scooter takes just a couple of minutes. E-scooters, on the other hand, come with fast charging these days. This helps reduce the overall charging time.
On the whole, the range on offer these days in electric scooters is sufficient for daily commutes, taking care of of ‘range anxiety’ that many EV owners might have.
Takeaway
Both electric and petrol scooters come with their own sets of pros and cons. So while it’s good to compare electric scooters vs petrol, it is important to consider the commuting needs, individual preferences, charging infrastructure and maintenance costs.
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