Between 2013 to 2016, the global market for electric scooters and motorcycles grew at an average CAGR of around 3.3 %, going from $ 7,800 mn to $ 8,600 mn in that period. Due to the numerous challenges – the weight disadvantage that current batteries have, limited range, inadequate charging infrastructure and slow buyer acceptance – growth has indeed been slow. However, globally, government authorities are now beginning to push hard on promoting electric mobility, which is expected to increase the pace of high-quality battery-powered two wheelers in the near future. Analysts expect the global market for electric two-wheelers to reach the $ 10,000 million mark by 2021. Here, we take a look at the state of existing e-2W tech and possible future directions.
CURRENT SCENARIO
Of the approximately 17 mn PTWs (powered-two-wheelers) sold in India every year, only around 400,000 units are battery-powered – a share of less than 3 %. A large percentage of these are low-powered scooters that are often of dubious quality and questionable longevity. Now, however, given the Indian government’s renewed thrust on e-mobility, the big OEMs – everyone from Hero MotoCorp (which has also made a strategic investment in electric two-wheeler start-up, Ather Energy), Honda, Bajaj, TVS, Mahindra, Yamaha and others are gearing up to produce electric scooters and motorcycles, which should be comparable to IC-engined bikes in terms of power, performance, handling, range, reliability and longevity.
Interestingly enough, electric bikes aren’t an all-new phenomenon. Electric motors are, inherently, much simpler than internal combustion engines and have fewer moving parts. Indeed, in some form or the other, e-bikes have been around for the last 100 years.
With electric motors developing maximum torque from close to zero rpm, electric bikes offer impressive low-rpm acceleration, but challenges come in the form of the range vs speed trade-off. Electric batteries are simply not as efficient as, say, petrol when it comes to storing energy, which is why current electric bikes and scooters are better suited to relatively short-distance travel, at moderate speeds. Yes, current battery-powered electric production bikes can attain very high speeds, but at the expense of riding range, which is not acceptable to many riders. Also, the charging time – anywhere between 2-4 hours for a full charge – is not practical for most riders who’re used to filling up their bike’s petrol tank in a minute or less.
CHALLENGES IN BATTERY DEVELOPMENT
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