Scooters have always been a popular mode of transportation owing to the convenience, practicality and cost-effectiveness they offer. With the introduction of electric scooters in the market, customers have begun to embrace this green mobility solution. However, when buying an e-scooter, here’s a very common comparison that arises - e-scooters vs petrol scooters and which one to consider. It is a logical concern for the buyer which can be answered by comparing a conventional petrol scooter vs electric scooter on specific parameters.
Electric vs. Petrol Scooter – On-Ground Comparison
India is the world's largest market for two-wheelers. Millions in this country rely on scooters for daily commute and work. Buyers in this segment are always on the lookout for alternative fuel options that are cheaper and more eco-friendly. This is where electric scooters make a strong case for themselves and invite the inevitable battery scooter vs petrol scooter comparison.
Since we are all aware of how the ownership of petrol scooters tends to be, let’s have a look at EV scooters.
The real life ownership of an electric scooter is not waiting at a fuel station staring at the digits at the fuel dispenser feeling your wallet weep. When you are on the road, it is purely to reach your destination as time spent for fuel fill up gets replaced by overnight/quick charging.
Furthermore if you look at numbers from 2018 to 2024, the price for a litre of petrol has been ₹68 (December 2018, Delhi). As of 2024 it has now reached ₹ 95-96, making it an over 40% hike in 5 years. Yet, the electricity price (per unit) has been ₹ 5-6 in 2018 and has just reached ₹6.2 in 2024, which is not even 25% hike. This gap is expected to widen in the foreseeable future and the additional cost inquired for purchasing EV gets covered as re-charging is drastically cheaper than refueling.
Reasons to Switch to Electric Scooters
The Indian Government is focused on cutting down its import bills and has subsequently launched various subsidies such as FAME and other finance incentives and rebates. Also, EV scooters shine when it comes to the running cost of electric vs petrol scooters. Here is why more and more commuters are preferring electric scooters: -
• If a scooter is your daily mode of commute (50-80 km max), then an electric scooter is economically better. In fact the recently launched TVS iQube ST offers a segment leading range of 150*km per charge.
• Low maintenance is another factor as there are fewer moving parts and no fluid changes.
• Electric scooters are better at handling traffic due to the low centre of gravity and instant torque offered by an electric motor.
• Despite a higher upfront cost, the long-term ownership of electric scooters is significantly lower due to the cheaper price of electricity vis-a-vis petrol.
EV batteries are designed to charge smarter. When close to full charge, they only replenish the depleted cells and distribute load across hundreds of cells that combined makes a battery pack.
Myths about EVs
As any new technology that comes into market, it brings both optimism and critics. The EVs that we see today on road are far more advanced than those running in the market 10 years ago. The limitations back then are still being taken as a warning signal. Let’s burst some myths about EVs and put some facts straight.
| Myths | Facts |
|---|---|
| EV battery only last few years | Battery electric vehicles have warranty of at least 5 years. With newer and advanced battery coming into market, they are expected to last much longer. |
| EVs don’t offer enough range | Most of electric scooters these days outstrip the average daily running. Also, with fast charging coming into play, this concern is steadily getting resolved. |
| EVs are expensive | The gap between EV and ICE scooter is closing with every year. Also, despite a higher upfront cost, the total ownership cost actually makes EV cheaper by a considerable margin. |
| EVs are not safe | The safety of EVs depends on the battery’s capacity to hold and discharge energy. Battery technology is constantly improving and they come equipped with waterproofing, shockproof, dustproof etc. |
| EVs take long to charge | These days most EVs get charged quickly. Now With advanced battery technology, you can charge your e-scooter in little over an hour. |
If you live in a metropolitan/urban area or even in semi-urban area, where going green weighs heavily on your mind and your commute accounts for a fixed and calculated route, then an electric scooter such as the TVS iQube ST is a sensible choice with a 32 litres of class leading under seat storage, multiple color options and a reliable motor. It can go 150km or range on single charge with a running cost of ₹0.3/km and savings of up to ₹37,500 in a year.
