Electric Scooter vs Petrol Scooter – Which One to Choose?

Last Modified: 13-November-2024

Electric Scooter vs Petrol Scooter

Carbon footprint reduction has taken a front row in the list of priorities for most businesses. However, the eminent effects of global warming have forced people and corporations to re-evaluate their priorities. Sustainability is of paramount importance, and regulatory bodies have become more vigilant toward the goal of sustainable development. The production of electric vehicles on a mass scale shows the seriousness of automotive companies in reducing carbon emissions. Read on to learn more about the difference between electric and petrol scooters.

What are Electric Scooter Vehicles?

  • Electric vehicles or EVs are automotive machines that use electricity as fuel. Vehicles can be both partially or fully electric, depending on how they operate. 
  • Lithium-ion batteries power the modern fully-electric cars or scooters. Traditionally, EVs have used lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries. The lithium-ion batteries are an upgrade given their longevity and energy retention rate. 
  • The reduction in the consumption of fossil fuel elements has reduced carbon emissions to a great extent.

Image of Electric Scooter
Electric vehicles or EVs are automotive machines that use electricity as fuel for travel. Vehicles can be both partially or fully electric, depending on how they operate. Lithium-ion batteries power the modern fully-electric cars or scooters. Traditionally, EVs have used lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries. The lithium-ion batteries are an upgrade given their longevity and energy retention rate. The reduction in the consumption of fossil fuel elements has reduced carbon emissions to a great extent. In addition, the cost of running an electric vehicle compared to traditional petrol/diesel-powered engines is relatively low.

What are Petrol Scooter Vehicles?

  • Many people prefer petrol scooters due to their convenience in easy access to petrol pumps for refilling and the ability to travel long distances.
  • In Petrol Scooters there is a large number of models and a broad price segment in the petrol scooters as it has been developing for many years.
  • Petrol scooters are more durable, dependable, and simple to maintain.

Electric scooter vs petrol scooter

Image of Petrol Scooter
EV cars are commonplace today; however, EV two-wheelers are relatively new. Addressing the needs of two-wheelers enthusiasts, EV automotive companies have started producing fuel-efficient electric scooters. Unlike the traditional petrol scooters, the new-age electric scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries and are highly fuel-efficient. The electric scooter maintenance cost is also significantly lower than petrol scooters which require regular maintenance. If you compare fuel prices for an equal distance, electric scooters are highly budget-friendly. Let’s take a deep dive to compare different elements for a better comparison.

Pros and Cons of Electric Scooters

Factors Electric Scooter Petrol Scooter
Pricing Electric vehicles run on electricity, which can get much more affordable than fuel. The high prices of traditional fuels such as petroleum have increased the cost of owning a petrol scooter. 
Cost of fuel An electric scooter will offer the same mileage as a petrol scooter at 15% of the cost of one liter of fuel. So, in the electric bike vs petrol bike debate, EVs take the win as they’re more economical. The petrol scooter offers about 50-60 kilometers per liter. However, some fuel-efficient options can also deliver up to 100 kilometers per liter.
Operational range Electric scooters are a good option for short daily use, but with a limited number of charging stations, they make little sense for long-distance rides. Petrol stations are present countrywide; hence, the range of a conventional scooter is virtually limitless.
Maintenance charges EVs require relatively less maintenance. Petrol scooters must be serviced regularly, and worn-out mechanical parts have to be replaced. 
Convenience An electric scooter needs at least a couple of hours for a full charge.  Fueling a petrol bike is much easier. It only takes a few minutes at the fuel station.
Refueling + Recharging It takes a few hours to charge a battery Petrol scooter takes significantly less time to fuel petrol compared.
Environment Friendliness Scooters powered by electricity are significantly more eco-friendly. Scooters powered by petrol are not eco-friendly due to its carbon dioxide emission.

1. Pricing

Sustainability comes at a personal cost for most EV owners, but it is a wise decision to make. The price of an electric scooter is higher than that of a petrol one. Since the technology behind EV scooters is comparatively new, the current prices are relatively higher. However, the government has incentivised the purchase of e-vehicles through different schemes that you can learn more about. If you compare the long-run cost of owning a petrol vehicle against an electric one, the latter will be more budget-friendly.

2. Cost of fuel

The sky-high prices of traditional fuel sources like petrol and diesel have added to the cost of owning a petrol vehicle. Both petrol and electric scooters offer the same mileage. However, buying a litre of petrol is almost six times higher than what you’ll have to pay for an electric recharge. So the cost of fuel is outrageous in the case of petrol vehicles.

3. Operational range

The operational range of electric engines, in general, is lower than that of traditional fuel engines. An electric scooter is ideal for covering shorter distances as charging stations are not omnipresent. However, self-charging electric vehicles can address this issue. The operational range of petrol scooters is not limited, given the abundance of petrol stations. You can easily refill the tank and cover more distance constantly.

4. Maintenance charges

The maintenance cost of petrol scooters is much higher than electric scooters. With electric scooters, all you need to do is clean the batteries regularly. On the other hand, petrol scooters must be serviced at service stations at frequent intervals to ensure longevity. The service charges add to the cost of maintenance which is almost negligible for electric scooters.

5. Convenience

Most electric scooters require a two-hour charging time before fully charging for travelling. In addition to this, the absence of charging stations in nearby areas can create a challenge for electric scooter owners. Petrol scooters are more convenient in this regard, and one can easily refill the tank in minutes and start the ride to their destination. The only significant advantage that petrol scooters have over an electric one is the fuelling convenience.

6. Refueling + Recharging

Refueling: You already would be acquainted with petrol scooters. They run on petrol and are used worldwide. They are convenient and a popular medium of transportation. Despite their popularity, motorbikes are becoming less cost-effective in a more environmentally aware world. People are shifting to new-age electric scooters, which are combustion-free, cost-effective, and create minimal pollution.

Recharging: Electric scooters are new to the Indian market, but their popularity has recently increased drastically. They run on rechargeable batteries. In addition, their compact design and lower per-ride cost make them the future of vehicles.

Petrol prices are already touching sky heights, emphasizing how fuel-efficient EVs (Electric Vehicles) are. Alongside this, their maintenance cost is lesser when compared to conventional bikes.

7. Environment Friendliness

Research has found that an electric scooter has up to 30% fewer carbon emissions than petrol bikes. With forthcoming technologies, hopefully, these figures will be even better. The carbon impact is linked to the production of the battery, whereas the rides are much more eco-friendly. If you compare the overall carbon emission of an EV and a conventional bike, the graph of electric scooters will be very less.

Buying an electric scooter

An electric scooter has many advantages over a traditional one that makes it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious buyers. You can easily take a two wheeler loan from Muthoot Capital to finance the purchase of the new electric scooter. This loan can be easily repaid by choosing an affordable EMI plan.

Call us at 1800 106 1212 to speak to a Muthoot Capital two-wheeler loan representative today.

FAQs

1. What Is the Life of an Electric Scooter?

The lifespan of an electric motor can differ from one company to another. If you manage charging cycles well and replace the batteries on time, it can last up to 5-10 years.

2. Is an Electric Scooter Worth Buying In India?

For few, the cost of an electric scooter may sound high. When calculating maintenance costs, joyrides, and zero carbon emissions, it is worth buying an e-bike. On the contrary of its purchase price, the cost of fuel is much lesser, which can be a great factor to choose e-bikes over motorbikes.

3. Does Electric Scooter Work In Hilly Areas?

It depends on how powerful the e-bike is. Even every petrol bike is not designed for hilly areas or off-roading. Choosing an electric bike with a powerful engine will help. If you often go around hilly areas, it is advisable to consider the torque and power of your bike.

4. Are Electric Scooters Safe?

Definitely. Manufacturers are coming up with better safety measures. Despite a few unfortunate events in the past, electric scooters are safe to buy. In those accidents, batteries were found to be the root cause. Besides, the body of e-bikes are made keeping all the safety measures in mind.

About Author
Muthoot Capital Services Limited is one of India's most progressive financial companies. It is the part of Muthoot Pappachan Group which carries a legacy & trust of more than 133 years.
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