Should Range be the main criteria to pick the Best Electric Bike?
We at RIVOT MOTORS started off with a dream to target that one pain-point that people look out for in an Electric Bike.
Just a single search and we got the answer – People consider an electric bike to be the best only when it offers a better range.
Even a website like Wikipedia had a statement “Range is a key consideration with e-bikes”
That surprised us!
After studying various aspects involved here, this is something that won’t even matter. In this article, we are here to answer that and make it clear that the term “RANGE” should not be the first thing to look at – Definitely!
Here is a quick summary of what we’ll read together below –
- What is the Range of an Electric Bike?
- What are the factors that affect the Range?
- Can Manufacturers guarantee a specific range?
- What should be the ideal Range of an Electric Bike?
- Points that prove – Range is NOT Important!
What is the Range of an Electric Bike?
The Range of an Electric Bike can be defined as the total distance one can travel in one charge (i.e. before the battery runs out).
What are the factors that affect the Range of an Electric Vehicle?
The first thing people ask us is the distance our bike will go in one charge. We are like – WHAT???
How can we as manufacturers answer this!
Isn’t the mileage of any vehicle that runs on petrol or diesel determined as per the traffic, usage, maintenance, etc.?
Similarly, an Electric Vehicle too has its own reasons that affect the range.
Here are some most common factors that affect the range of a vehicle –
- The weight being carried on the vehicle. Including the rider and any other matter he might be carrying.
- The roads and terrain the vehicle is being used on.
- The average speed of the vehicle.
- The number of times the vehicle / bike stops and starts
- Tire pressure
- The wind and temperature at that specific time
- The type of battery used
- The size of the motor
How many of these can we guarantee?
As a manufacturer, we can assure you about the motor size and the battery type. But, factors 1 to 5 are completely dependent on the rider and the 6th is about the climatic condition.
Can Manufacturers guarantee a specific range?
Definitely not!
When we read the pointers stated above, only 2 of them can be guaranteed. While the others are unpredictable and considerably affect the range of a vehicle.
What should be the ideal Range of an Electric Bike?
Now that we know what affects the range, it’s quite clear that there is nothing specific that we should be looking at.
But, the best range could be the one that fulfills our daily requirements at a minimalistic cost.
Let’s take this scenario –
Ravi stays in a busy city like Bangalore and travels from one end to the other everyday to earn a living. What will he look for in an electric scooter?
He’ll want a bike that is
- Lightweight
- Fast
- Goes to and fro in one charge
How much will he travel in a day? 50 km one way or may be max 100 km when he goes around.
So, the range he’ll need may be anywhere close to a 100 km in one charge or maximum 150KM if he ends up taking a detour due to road blockage etc!
Still, we have manufacturers going higher than that. Is it all needed?
Range is NOT Important!
Why do we say that?
- With so many traffic issues around, will we ever travel more than 100 km in a day on a scooter?
- Are we ready to drag those heavy batteries in a bike with the greed of going longer in one charge?
If you say NO, then why think about range?
Some questions to ponder on –
Now that we’ve narrowed on the point that range isn’t that important, what is it that takes electric scooters higher than the most commonly used petrol scooters?
The cost effectiveness!
Yes, while buying anything, the first thing that matters the most is the cost effectiveness – then why not with electric bikes? A few hours of charging saves so much money that you’d burn with petrol in your scooters!
We often ask for the mileage of petrol bikes – why not that of an electric bike?
With the rise in Global warming, we all share posts and sign petitions to bring out a change. But, can we really be a part of it with our own conditional thoughts?Electric vehicles are a boon! They save the cost one spends on fossil fuel and contributes to saving the Earth. Can we take things in another perspective and accept what really matters?