5 myths about E-Mobility

 Did you just see one of your acquaintances riding their electric bikes and run past you, and later narrating how they are now emission-free commuters? Have you been wondering if you should make a shift to electric vehicles too? Have you been triggered by the thoughts of whether the future of mobility is actually electric? 

However, with the plethora of information available citing the pros and cons of the electric bikes and electric vehicles available in the market already, have you been confused about making the switch? Well, it is normal to weigh the pros and cons when you are shifting to the proclaimed future technology, but it is also pertinent that you do not accept every myth as a piece of important information. 

E mobility at its current stage is under the cloud of many myths and confusions and even though the market is flooded with electric bikes and other electric vehicles are making their way to daily commute options soon; some myths and misconceptions are pulling the strings of the sales of the EV market in India and across the globe.

In this blog we would like to bust some of the myths about electric mobility:

·         EVs will never replace the traditional vehicles

Sure, enough the change is not going to happen overnight but there is no way we might hold upon the idea that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are here to stay forever. Many factors such as the fuel price hike and environmental reasons have already spiked the thought of shifting to electric mobility options. 

The legal and regulatory changes on conventional vehicles introduced by the government for pollution control can also be one reason why EVs are finding their way on the road. Lithium battery bikes have found their fame in this sector already and even though the pandemic has slowed down the growth of the EV market, the electric two-wheelers have created enough commotion in the automobile sector.  

·         E-mobility is restricted to electric bikes and cars 

One of the major prevalent myths about e-mobility is that it is restricted to electric bikes and cars, whereas the potential of this futuristic technology is yet to be fathomed with clarity. Contrary to popular beliefs the realty stands on the other end where the makers and manufacturers have already begun with their expansion plans in this sector. 

Starting from public commute options like busses to drones and other aerial vehicles everything falls under the potential of electrification. Electric two-wheelers are just the inception of the revolution humanity is heading towards. The lithium battery bikes are already filling up the gap for daily commuters and have laid the foundation for the future of long-distance travelling. 

·         Inadequate charging facilities the primary reason for not buying electric vehicles

There is no denying that the introduction of e-mobility has to surpass some barrier, one of which is the charging facility. While the initial stage did witness some roadblocks the public charging infrastructure is growing with each passing year. In India government initiatives in collaboration with EV, makers have been working on setting up low-cost charging stations to encourage people to shift to electric vehicles. 

At the same time, many EV owners have been swiftly carrying forward with the personal charging options at work or home. Although some EV chargers might appear less practical the introduction of swappable batteries and easy charging facilities by the manufacturers like Gemopai has to be taken into consideration. Gemopai offers lithium battery bikes with detachable and swappable batteries which overcome the charging problems as well as the mileage or range phobia for new users. 

·         It takes too long to charge electric vehicles. 

Well yet again it is a genuine concern but the charging time depends on the condition of the battery, battery type, how exhausted is the EV battery! At present most lithium battery bikes take about two hours or less to get fully charged. Yet again the battery technology is something which the manufacturers are constantly working upon, and the future promises fast-paced electric charging facilities for the vehicles. 

But this will also require a certain level of change in the lifestyle, which means the vehicle owners might have to dedicate a time slot for charging their vehicle. If we are to weigh the pros this stands better than stuck in crowded fuel stations, particularly in India. One can easily charge their vehicles while at home or while at work, and save a lot of time instead. Also, with the swappable battery technology, the vehicles might simply change the discharged battery with the charged ones.

·         Electric vehicles have inadequate range

Range phobia is one of the most common reasons why many commuters step back to switch to electric mobility. But if we consider the daily distance covered by most commuters, it will come around an average of 50 km, which is easily delivered by most low range EVs currently. With the current development, and as early adopters of electric transportation the owners might have to plan a bit on the outset of their journey. 

With careful planning, and fully charged batteries the commuters can even travel up to 150 km. Let us take for example Gemopai Astrid Lite offers a range of about 200 km per charge, which in a way poses insufficient for daily commute purposes. The lithium batterybikes like Astrid Lite is just one of the examples to eliminate the myth of inadequate range offered by electric vehicles. 

Every new technology takes its time to figure out the best solution and definitely a little time to make its way to the human lifestyle. Transportation, in general, has undergone so many changes and transformations. How the steam engine made history, how Wright Brothers laid the foundation of air transportation, every development had a point in history where it surrounded with doubts and myths but have successfully proved them wrong. 

Electric mobility similarly will transport us from one point of development to another, and before we know these myths will be a part of history and EVs the part of our daily lifestyle.