Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Bicycles in India: Know Before Buying

Electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are becoming increasingly popular in India as a sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation because they are powered by rechargeable batteries and assist the rider with pedalling, making it easier to ride uphill or against strong headwinds and so on.

However, e-bicycles have some disadvantages too that you must be aware of if you are planning to purchase an electric bicycle in India because everything in this world comes with pros and cons together so the same applies to ebikes.

After doing a lot of research and testing some electric cycles, we have come up with the advantages and disadvantages of electric bicycles in India along with some important faqs on electric bicycles.

So read this article till the end to know the pros and cons of riding electric cycles in India.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Bicycles in India

There is no doubt that electric bicycles are one of the cheapest means of transportation but it has some disadvantages too that should not be neglected. Let’s start with the benefits of riding electric bicycles in India.

Commonly known advantages of using electric bicycle in India:

1. Cost-effective: Electric bicycles are more affordable than traditional vehicles (petrol-powered motorbikes, CNG vehicles, and cars) making them a cost-effective mode of transportation.
2. Low maintenance: Electric cycles require less maintenance than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles or petrol motorcycles, which can save money and time.
3. Environmentally friendly: Electric bicycles do not emit harmful pollutants into the air, which helps to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
4. Easy to charge: Battery of Electric bicycles can be easily charged at home or at a charging station, making them very convenient to use.
5. No fuel costs: Ebikes or e-cycles do not require gasoline or diesel/petrol fuel, which can save money in the long run.
6. Quiet operation: Electric bicycles produce less noise than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, making them well-suited for use in densely populated urban areas.
7. Good for health: Riding an electric bicycle is a good form of exercise because it involves pedalling and that can improve overall health and fitness.
8. Good for short commutes: Normally the range of an electric cycle is somewhere between 25 to 50km making them well-suited for short commutes, such as those to work/office, college or school.
9. Low carbon footprint: Electric cycles have a much lower carbon footprint than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
10. Low operating costs: Electric bicycles have low operating costs since they need only electricity and do not fossil fuels.
11. No need for a license: Electric bicycles with a 250w motor or less can be ridden without a driver’s license in India.
12. No need for registration: Electric bicycles with a 250w motor or less do not need to be registered with the government, which can save time and money.
13. No road tax: Electric bicycles do not require road tax, which can save money.
14. No parking fee: Electric bicycles do not require parking fees in some areas, which can save money.
15. No traffic jams: Electric bicycles can easily manoeuvre through traffic, which can save time.
16. Good for the elders: Electric bicycles are the best means of transportation for senior citizens because it has a motor which makes pedalling simple and can help them maintain their health.
17. Good for students: Electric bicycles are affordable for students, which can help them save money and get to school/college easily.
18. Easy to store: Electric bicycles can be stored in a small space, which can save space.
19. Encourage cycling culture: Using electric bikes may encourage more people to cycle and thus promote cycling culture in India.
20. Government support: The Government of India is promoting the use of electric cycles through various policies and schemes to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower pollution, and improve air quality. This is expected to lead to the growth of the electric bicycle market in India.

The most well-known disadvantages of using electric bicycles in India

1. Limited range: Electric bicycles typically have a limited range on a single charge, which can be a disadvantage for people who need to travel longer distances.
2. Recharging time: It takes time to recharge the battery of an electric bicycle, which can be an inconvenience for people who need to use their e-bike frequently.
3. Weather dependent: Electric bicycles may not perform well in extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or strong winds. However, electric bicycles can be ridden in the rain.
4. Limited speed and Range: Electric bicycles typically have a limited top speed (up to 25km/h in India), which can be a disadvantage for people who need to travel at higher speeds. Also, it has a limited range resulting in the fear of running out of power before reaching the destination is a common concern among e-bike users.
5. Battery replacement: Some electric cycles require frequent battery replacement, which can be costly and time-consuming.
6. Weight: Electric bicycles can be heavier than traditional bicycles, making them more difficult to ride if the battery is discharged or while transportation. 
7. Expensive: Electric bicycles are more expensive than traditional bicycles, which can be a disadvantage for people on a tight budget. Use Yulu bikes if you can’t afford your own e-bike.
8. Limited availability: Electric bicycles are not yet widely available in India, which can make it difficult to find replacement parts or get repairs done.
9. Not suitable for everyone: Electric bicycles may not be suitable for people with certain physical disabilities, such as those who cannot pedal.
10. Lack of infrastructure: There is a lack of charging infrastructure in India, which can make it difficult to find a place to charge your e-bike.
11. Chances of theft: Electric bicycles are vulnerable to theft in India as they are expensive and easily portable. Follow these tips to protect your bicycle from theft.
12. Limited power: Electric bicycles have a limited power output, which can be a disadvantage for people who need to travel uphill or against strong headwinds.
13. Battery degradation: The battery of an ebike degrades over time as a result range of the battery reduces and they need replacement. The price of an ebike battery is around 15000.
14. Limited knowledge about the technology: Many people in India are not familiar with the technology of electric bicycles, which can make it difficult for them to understand how to use and maintain them.
15. Limited use in rural areas: Electric bicycles may not be practical in rural areas, where the roads are less well maintained, lack of electricity and the distances are long.

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Watch Before Purchasing: Electric Bicycle Buying Guide in India

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FAQs: Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Cycle in India

Conclusion: Pros and Cons of Electric Bicycles in India

I hope you have understood the advantages and disadvantages of electric bicycles in India over pedal-powered bicycles or vehicles. To conclude this article, I would say that e-bicycles have more advantages than disadvantages such as they are cost-effective, require less maintenance, have low operating costs, are environmentally friendly, are good for short commutes and can be charged at home or at a charging station.

They are also good for health and can help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, government support electric bicycle by giving subsidy, as a result, the EV market is growing in India.

On the other hand, there are some major drawbacks of electric cycles such as limited range, limited speed and highly expensive as they require frequent battery replacement making them not suitable for everyone.

So make a wise decision about whether an ebike is the right choice for you or not after considering the above-mentioned pros and cons of electric bicycles in India.

Thanks for reading this blog article till the end, do share your valuable thoughts or suggest any topic on e-bicycles in the comment section below. We would surely answer your questions and write an article (if required).

Till then, Stay tuned!