The necessity of economical two-wheelers has been driven up by the suddenly increased prices of ICE vehicles caused by the implementation of the BS6 norm. Also, electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain. Furthermore, with the intent to reduce the further degradation of air quality by vehicles, authorities at multiple levels of government have incentivised the adoption of electric vehicles using instruments like purchase rebates and tax exemptions. Scooters and motorbikes are responsible for approximately 20% of CO2 emissions and 30% of particulate matter emissions in India. The electrification of this fleet is a state objective of believable importance. The intention is to make the sale of all two-wheelers at 150cc electric by the beginning of 2025. A demand surge for two-wheeler electric vehicles is expected to drive down retail prices, thus enabling faster and more enthusiastic adoption.
It is essential to discuss FAME II as well, which has helped create a structured environment for the necessary transition to electric scooters in India. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FAME II) is a government scheme launched to push the development and manufacturing of electric vehicles. This is a legislative instrument used to combat climate change across the globe. The subsidy on electric two-wheelers under this scheme stands at Rs 15000 kWh. In addition, the cap on the subsidy for an electric two-wheeler will be 40 percent of its net cost.
Electric vehicles need to be charged, and the presence of a sufficient number of charging stations is a must to increase the purchase of plug-in models. This is despite the convenience of charging at home. As of 2023, 2,146 functional charging stations exist in India. To increase the number of charging stations as per requirements, a great deal of public and private investment is necessary. This may be a speed breaker for the sale of plug-in electric two-wheelers.
An excellent offering in the electric scooter market is the TVS IQube, with 4.4Kw peak power and 118+ connected features, 75 km real range, and five variants to cater to different needs. This EV takes you by hand—or is it better to say ‘handle’—into the future. The on-the-road price of TVS IQube in Hyderabad is Rs 1.15 Lakhs. The transition to electric scooters in India is the need of the hour, and one great choice for the same is the TVS iQube.
A healthier future requires emission controls, and the government is incentivising their sale with various special initiatives. TVS iQube is an excellent choice in this regard as it combines a better-than-usual range with a lack of emissions.