Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Electric scooter guide 2022-23

15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

e-scooters are available at almost every price point and come from renowned brands such as Hero and Bajaj as well as startups like Ola and Ather. This has become quite overwhelming for the end-users or buyers who can’t decide as to which electric scooter to buy. Fret not, we have got you covered. Below we’ve listed some of the important things that you should consider before buying an e-scooter in India. In India’s electric vehicle (EV) space, it’s the electric scooters that have caught everyone’s eye. The two-wheelers are compact, affordable, and suit the current infrastructure of the country. As a result, you have tons of electric scooters available in the market. 

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

1. Price

The most obvious thing to consider before purchasing an electric scooter is the price. Battery technology is still fairly expensive and so are electric scooters. Some of the best electric scooters available in India cost over Rs 1 lakh, which is a lot higher than your standard ICE (internal combustion engine) scooters. Ensure that you research and understand all the aspects including on-road price, financing options (if available), offers, and the kind of tax benefits that you get when you purchase the scooter.

2. Tax benefits

Since the Indian government is pushing for the sale of electric vehicles, you should be eligible for a tax refund and other incentives when purchasing an electric scooter. As per Section 80EEB, you can get tax benefits of up to Rs 1.5 lacs on the interest paid towards the loan taken to purchase an electric vehicle. The tax benefit under Section 80EEB can be obtained if you meet the following conditions.

• The loan for the purchase of an electric vehicle must be sanctioned between April 1st, 2019, and March 31st, 2023.
• The loan must be taken from a financial institution.

You can learn more about tax benefits on electric vehicles over here. Apart from tax benefits, make sure you also take a look at any buy-back offers provided by the manufacturer. 

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

3. Range

Currently, in the Indian market, you will find scooters that offer a range of anywhere between 50 to 200Km on a single battery charge.

The second most important thing to look at when buying an electric vehicle is range. Just like fuel mileage, there is a difference between the range claimed by manufacturers and the actual range that you get in practice. Check the maximum range the electric scooter provides, and contact owners, if possible, to understand the real-world range. Currently, in the Indian market, you will find scooters that offer a range of anywhere between 50 to 200kms on a single battery charge. Some electric scooters are now shipping with an additional battery pack to increase their overall range. If you’re someone who travels large distances every day, then you should consider something that can offer plenty of range.

4. Features

While this is a given, do make sure that you ask about the features offered on the electric scooter. You should look at the following features when buying an electric scooter.

• Boot space — Electric scooters can offer a lot more boot space than traditional ICE scooters as they don’t have an engine. Some E-scooters offer space to fit up to two helmets, so make sure you take advantage of this feature. 
• Ride ergonomics — This is an important feature and one you can only gauge after taking a test ride. Make sure you’re comfortable riding the scooter and also check for pillion comfort. 
• Riding modes — Most electric scooters also offer riding modes, which can come in very handy. Check if the scooter has different riding modes such as Eco, Power, and so on. 
• Display — A display on the dashboard is a common feature on most electric scooters. Check whether the scooter you’re purchasing has a normal dash or a modern LCD display with touch input. Apart from obvious information like speed, battery life, certain electric scooters offer displays that can bring up GPS navigation, smartphone notifications, and more.
  
• Bluetooth connectivity — Modern electric scooters are also expected to feature Bluetooth. This enables one to wirelessly connect their smartphone to get phone notifications right on the scooter’s display. Additionally, it can also be used to connect the native app on the smartphone to keep a tab on your electric scooter.
  
• Navigation — Some electric scooters also offer inbuilt GPS allowing the rider to get turn-by-turn navigation on the display. This is another useful feature to have on your scooter. 
• Charging ports — Check whether the electric scooter has at least one charging port under the seat or in the front. This will come in handy as it can be used to charge your smartphone or other electronic peripherals. 
  

Some manufacturers also offer a reverse charging option for your smartphone, GPS tracking, OTA software updates, and remote monitoring via an app.

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

5. Charge time

Once your electric scooter runs out of juice, you’ll need some time to recharge the in-built battery. The process is similar to your smartphone or laptop, where your electric scooter has to be plugged in and left for a few hours to fully charge. It’s recommended that you purchase a scooter that doesn’t take a lot of time, if possible within 7 hours, so you can leave it on charge overnight. Also, consider something that supports fast charging, so you can top-up quickly if you’re low on charge mid-commute.

Electric scooters such as the Ather 450 and the Bajaj Chetak Electric take around 5-6 hours to fully charge. Others such as the TVS iQube and the Hero Electric Photon can take around 7 hours to charge from 0 to 100.

6. Charging stations

Electric scooter manufacturers will usually install a home charging station for you, but you should also look at the availability of public charging stations. It is crucial to check whether the EV brand has a good network of charging stations so you can charge while on the road if the need arises. Also, make sure you check whether the electric scooter supports charging via third-party chargers or a standard wall socket, which would make life a lot simpler.

How to find a nearby charging station in India online?

While India doesn’t have a massive network of EV charging stations yet, there are some easy ways to find one nearby. Mobile apps such as EV Plugs, Statiq, and websites such as ChargeList can help you locate a charging station near your location. Some EV manufacturers also have their own apps or services that help one find a charging station right from the vehicle dash. 

7. Performance/ power

Since there are plenty of electric scooter options available in India, you’ll also have to look at what kind of performance you want out of the scooter. There are slow scooters that do about 40-50kmph, and there are fast ones that can hit 80-100kmph. If you have a relaxed riding style and don’t need fast bursts of acceleration, then go for the lower-power electric scooters. These also cost less money. It is better to purchase something that matches your performance needs, else you might end up with an unsatisfactory experience.

8. Power modes

Electric scooters usually come with different power modes that also affect the overall range. These are meant to prolong the overall range. Look for scooters that come with multiple modes such as Eco and Sport, which let you choose between the kind of power. For instance, if you are driving in city traffic, you can shift into Eco mode wherein the electric scooter will be slow but offer a longer range. With Sport mode, you’ll get all the performance out of the motor, but the range will inevitably be reduced. 

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

9. Battery life

Battery life is another important factor to consider when purchasing an electric scooter. The battery will lose power over time and is the first thing you might actually have to replace. While some electric scooters come with user-replaceable batteries, others don’t. Therefore, you must find out what kind of battery life guarantee is offered by the manufacturer. It’s also best to learn the type of battery used in the scooter that you’re interested in. Lithium-ion batteries are the best currently, and offer long battery life. 

Most manufacturers offer at least 3 years of guarantee/warranty on the batteries, and typically a lithium-ion battery will last for about 6-7 years before it needs a replacement. However, this depends on how the customer users the electric scooter. Over-charging, not charging enough, trickle charging, excessive heat/cold, riding style, and other factors can affect the battery life. 

10. Build quality

To keep the price low, several EV manufacturers usually overlook and do not pay a lot of attention to build quality. Thus, it’s your job to read and watch reviews, go through customer feedback, and find out more about the build quality of the electric scooter you’re interested in. It’s also a good idea to take a test ride of the scooter to have a look at the build quality for yourself. Most manufacturers do use similar materials as non-electric scooters and the build is usually good. Make sure you also understand the quality and shelf life of important components and whether they are covered in your insurance.

11. Reliability

Before buying an electric scooter, it is important to learn about how reliable it is in the real world. The reliability score of a scooter depends on various factors, such as charging network, battery life, build quality, etc. If the brand doesn’t have a vast network of charging stations, then you might be left stranded on the road if and when your scooter runs out of charge. Similarly, make sure that the brand offers a good service network. 

12. Brand value

It’s always a good idea to consider purchasing an electric scooter from a brand that’s been around for a while or has received promising reviews and feedback. Brands such as Ather were the pioneers of electric scooters in India, which means their scooters have been around for a while now. Other brands — such as Bajaj, TVS, and Hero — that, although new to electric scooters, have been around for decades and can be expected to offer reliable products. 

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

13. After-sales service and maintenance

Electric vehicles don’t need to be maintained the same way as conventional ICE vehicles. You will not need to take your electric scooter to the service center every 6-months, as the service intervals are much longer. The maintenance cost is much lesser compared to the ICE counterparts. However, it’s best to understand everything when it comes to after-sales service and other maintenance costs from the manufacturer before purchasing an electric scooter. Make sure that the brand has a good network of service centers as well. If something goes wrong with an electric scooter, a roadside mechanic might not be the best person to fix the problem. Apart from the battery and motor, the other major things you’ll need to worry about are the tyres, which will wear out faster than the batteries. 

14. Warranty

The most important parts of an electric scooter are the battery and the motor. These are the two major components that may cause a problem in an electric scooter. Therefore, it’s best to inquire about the warranty of these parts. Most manufacturers offer at least 2-3 years of warranty on both the battery and the motor, but there are a few that offer longer period warranties. Make sure you purchase a scooter that offers a long warranty period on the battery and motor.

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

15. Ownership cost

The overall ownership or running cost is one of the many things that vehicle owners ignore, but one should definitely consider this especially before purchasing an electric scooter. One should look into electricity costs, daily usage, use cases, will it be used for short commutes or long ones, and so on. Overall, the ownership cost of an electric scooter is higher at the time of purchase, but over time the running cost is much lower than an ICE scooter. 

Those were some of the most important things to consider before purchasing an electric scooter in India. There are plenty of brands to choose from, and there will be more options in 2022. New companies such as Simple Energy, and even smartphone manufacturers, are working on bringing electric scooters with long-range and improved performance. We hope this electric scooter buying guide helps you choose the best scooter for you.

Also read: Get Motor !!!: Best electric bikes and scooters in India

Best electric bikes and scooters in India

There are a bunch of electric vehicles which emerged during pandemic, and with the petrol prices reaching sky-high in India, many are looking to go all-electric. India is among the many countries, which has pledged to take off internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, powered by petrol and diesel, from the roads. These vehicles will be replaced by electric vehicles (EV), which have higher efficiency than the ICE options, zero-emission, and low maintenance.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

While the four-wheeler electric segment is yet to take off, the two-wheeler market has a wide array of options for buyers. An electric scooter or bike gives you the liberty to use the vehicle without hunting for a gas station. And that is a big money saver these days. You can consider brands like Ola, Ather, Bajaj, TVS and Hero, which are catering to the demands of all riders in the EV market. So, here are the best electric bikes and scooters you can buy in India.

Table of Contents

1. Things to consider before buying electric bikes and scooters
2. Things to consider before buying electric bikes and scooters

1. Things to consider before buying electric bikes and scooters

• Ather 450/ 450X
• Revolt RV400
• Bajaj Chetak
• TVS iQube 2022
• Hero Photon
• Bounce Infinity E1
• Simple One
• Hero Eddy
• Ola S1
• Pure EV Epluto 7G
• AMO Jaunty Plus

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

2. Things to consider before buying electric bikes and scooters

There are several things you should keep in mind before you go out shopping for an electric scooter or bike. They will help you get the right electric scooter or bike for your needs while also helping you make a sound financial decision. So let us check out some points that will do you good to remember before pulling the plug on your brand new electric bike or scooter purchase.

• Range, speed, and battery capacity: Electric scooters and bikes often come in multiple variants, each offering a different capacity of the battery and maximum single-charge range. Note that the rated range provided by the manufacturer is under ideal conditions, so make sure to buy only those electric scooters or bikes that offer at least 15-20 percent more range than your daily commute requirement. Another thing to keep in mind is the top speed, as this also varies a lot depending on the model you get.
• Price, incentives, and tax benefits: Budget obviously will play a role in your buying decision, but even more important is to check the incentives and tax benefits provided by the central and state government on the electric vehicle you are buying. Once you have all the information, you can make the right financial decision while making the purchase.
• Technology, features, and style: Electric vehicles by design rely heavily on software, so make sure to buy the scooter from a company with a reputation for delivering timely updates. Also, make a note of features that you want to see in your electric bike, and make sure the brand you go with is offering most if not all of those features. Finally, don’t forget to take into account the style quotient of your vehicle.
• License requirement: The final thing you should keep in mind is whether the vehicle you are buying requires a license to drive or not. When electric scooters were new in the market, most didn’t require you to have a license to drive. However, as more and more companies are launching powerful electric bikes and scooters, you need a license now. So, check the license requirement for a vehicle before buying.

Best Electric bikes and scooters in India

1. Ather 450/ 450X
2. Revolt RV400
3. Bajaj Chetak
4. TVS iQube 2022
5. Hero Photon
6. Bounce Infinity E1
7. Simple One
8. Hero Eddy
9. Ola S1
10. Pure EV Epluto 7G
11. AMO Jaunty Plus

Ather 450/ 450X

Ather from India introduced the 450 electric scooters that epitomized how the segment is likely to develop in the country. The company has since then come out with the upgraded Ather 450X model for buyers. This scooter features a 2.7kWh battery that promises a riding range of up to 116 km, depending on external conditions. The built-in battery takes around 5 hours to fully charge which is pretty decent for an EV bike or scooter these days. And your riding range is also dependent on how fast you are moving. The top speed notched by this best electric scooter is 80 kmph. Ather 450 and 450X score heavily because of their looks. The futuristic design adopted by the company has appealed to many buyers, who are willing to overlook the total cost of owning the scooter.

Ather 450 starts Rs 1.27 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). In addition to this, you have to pay Rs 2,000 or more that takes care of maintenance, spare part and repair costs.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Revolt RV400

The Revolt RV400 looks like a regular sports commuter motorcycle but turn the ignition on and you notice it doesn’t make any noise. That’s because it is an electric bike. Revolt RV400 packs a 4kW electric motor, offering 170Nm torque, with a claimed top speed of 85km/hr and a riding range of up to 150km per charge. The bike gets a 3.24kW removable battery, which is charged inside homes in under 5 hours. For safety, it has disc brakes on both sides.

Getting a Revolt RV 400 will look cheaper because you pay a fixed amount of over 3000 per month to the company. The total cost comes to well over Rs 1,40,000 in the market.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Bajaj Chetak

Bajaj has given the Chetak brand a second life in its new electric avatar. This electric scooter comes in two variants; Urbane and Premium that cost Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 1,15,000 respectively. As you can see in the image, the scooter gets a retro design but features a digital instrument cluster along with LED lights. It has a 4kW electric motor which puts out about 16 Nm of torque. The scooter can go about 95km on a single charge and it has a 3kWh lithium-ion IP-67 rated battery that takes five hours to charge from a regular power socket. Chetak gives you a top speed of 78 kmph which should easily fit into the traffic regulations in the country.

TVS iQube 2022

The new TVS iQube comes in three variants, namely iQube, iQube S, and iQube ST. The ST price in India and availability haven’t been disclosed yet, but the other two are available starting at Rs 98,564 (inclusive state subsidies). The TVS iQube 2022 and iQube S rock 3.4kWh battery, which offers a claimed range of 100Km on a single charge. The battery can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in under 2 hours 50 minutes using a 950W output, while a full charge can take upto 4 hours and 30 minutes using 650W of output, per the company. At the core of the electric scooters lie a 4.4kW motor that delivers a top speed of 78km/h. The two-wheelers also feature 32l storage, smart HMI controller, smart LED head light with DRL, and a large TFT touch screen displays, for turn by turn navigation, music controlling, accessing and interacting with notifications, and much more. Additionally, the TVS iQube 2022 EVs get 12-inch tubeless wheels and disc brakes.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Hero Photon

Hero Electric has got Photon scooter that pretty much fits into this category because of its usage, range and price. This electric scooter costs you less than Rs 75,000 but that invariably means you get less power without compromising on the overall range. The built-in battery gives you a range of 110km on a single charge but with a top speed of 45kmph. The unit takes over 5 hours to fully charge. The plastic body wrapped around the 1.4kWh motor carries the Photon badge on the corner. The scooter gets a circular headlamp.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Bounce Infinity E1

Bounce Infinity E1 is the first electric scooter from Bangaluru-based EV start-up Bounce. The electric scooter is available in India with a unique ‘Battery as a service’ option, where customers can buy the two-wheeler either with battery and charger or opt for batter pack on a rental basis. The latter model brings the price of Bounce Infinity E1 in the country down to as low as Rs 36,099 (ex-showroom, Gujarat). As for the features, the electric scooter is powered 2kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a certified range of 85km per charge and a top speed of 65kmph. The torque output of the E1 stands at 83Nm. The electric scooter can be topped up in 4-5 hours via a regular electric socket.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Simple One

This electric scooter from Bangaluru-based EV company promises over 300km range with an additional battery pack that can be stored in the scooter’s boot. Without the additional battery, the Simple One can cover nearly of nearly 235km on a single charge. The two-wheeler packs a 1.6 kWh capacity battery pack and 8.5 kW motor, which is capable of producing 72Nm torque. The scooter also features 30L of boot storage, onboard navigation, riding modes, a phone app, call and music control, and much more. Coming to the price, the Simple One electric scooter will cost Rs 1.44 lakhs(ex-showroom) with the additional battery pack. The traditional non-additional battery variant will be available for Rs 1.09 lakh(ex-showroom). The scooter will be available for sale from June in Brazen Black, Namma Red, Azure Blue, and Grace White colour options.

Hero Eddy

Hero Eddy may not be as powerful as other models on the list, but then again it was never designed that way. It’s a small and lightweight low-speed electric scooter, aimed at commuters with short ride distances and last-mile commuting. The Hero Eddy electric scooter uses a 250W brushless DC motor paired to a 51.2V / 30Ah battery pack that is rated to deliver 85 km range and a top speed of up to 25 Kmph. A single charge on the Hero Eddy takes around 4 to 5 hours. Other mechanicals includes a telescopic front suspension, front and rear drum brakes, 12-inch alloys wheels wrapped with 90 section tyres both at the front and rear, and a flat footboard. The Hero Eddy price in India is set at Rs 72,000 (ex-showroom) before subsidies. The scooter will be available in two colour options – Yellow and Light Blue.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Ola S1

You probably would have heard of this one for good as well as bad reasons. The Ola electric scooters are available in two models, namely S1 and S1 Pro. Both come with features packed to the brim. The regular Ola S1 has a range of 121 kilometres, while the Ola S1 Pro will have a range of 181 kilometres. The top speed of these scooters is 90Km/ hr and 115Km/ hr respectively. The S1 Pro can do 0 to 40 in only 3 seconds, whereas the vanilla S1 takes 3.6 seconds for the 0 to 40 acceleration. In addition to this, the electric scooters have proximity unlock, a giant dashboard, voice control, multiple profiles, and more. While it’s certainly the best electric scooter out there (feature-wise), there have been some issues with its production and software.

The Ola S1 price in India starts at Rs 99,999 (excluding state subsidies), while the Pro model comes with a sticker price of Rs 1,29,999.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Pure EV Epluto 7G

And finally, we’d recommend the Pure EV Epluto 7G electric scooter. You can get it for Rs 83,999 (ex-showroom Delhi) in the country. The scooter packs a 2.5kWh battery that promises a ride range of up to 120Km, with a top speed of 60kmph. It has an LED headlamp, digital instrument cluster, and controls to change riding modes. The scooter gets drum brakes at the back and a disc unit on the front. The best thing about the Epluto 7G is that you can have it fully charged and ready to go in 4 hours. The battery unit is removable so you can it along and charge it at home.

AMO Jaunty Plus

This electric scooter caters to buyers looking for an electric two-wheeler in premium space. The AMO Jaunty Plus has been priced in India at Rs 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom). The features of this best electric scooter in India include a 60 V/40 Ah lithium-ion battery, a Brushless DC motor, a 120km driving range, LED lights, front disc brakes, cruise control, and a digital instrument console. The battery pack charges within 4 hours. Apart from that, the AMO Jaunty Plus sports mini-maxi scooter stance with main lighting components upfront. The handlebar panel hosts the LED positioning lights and the turn indicators. The design flows into a sharply styled rear end with the dual-tone paint accentuating its sporty appeal. The AMO Jaunty Plus will be available for purchase from February 15th in the country in 5 colour options: red/black, grey/black, blue/black, white/black & yellow/black.

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

Best electric bikes and scooters list

 

ELECTRIC BIKES AND SCOOTERS MODELS	STARTING PRICE	BATTERY	RANGE	CHARGING TIME	SPEED
Ather 450	Rs 1,13,715	2.7kWh	55-75 km	5 hours	80 kmph
Revolt RV400	Rs 1,29,400R	3.2kWh	80-150 km	4.5 hours	80 kmph
Bajaj Chetak	Rs 1,15,000	3kWh	85-95 km	5 hours	75 kmph
TVS iQube 2022	Rs 99,130	3.04-4.5kWh	100-175 km	4.5 hours	78/ 82 kmph
Hero Photon HX	Rs 71,999	1.8kWh	80 km	5 hours	45 kmph
Bounce Infinity E1	Rs 68,999	2kWh	85km	5 hours	65 kmph
Simple One	Rs 1,09,000	1.6kWh	235  km-300 km	3-4 hours	105 kmph
Hero Eddy	Rs 72,000	30Ah	85 km	5 hours	25 kmph
Ola S1/ S1 Pro	Rs 99,999	2.98-3.97kWh	121-181 km	6.5 hours	90 kmph
Pure EV Epluto 7G	Rs 83,999	2.5kWh	90-120 km	4 hours	60 kmph
AMO Jaunty Plus	Rs 1,10,460	27Ah	120 km	4 hours	25 kmph

Also Read: Get Motor !!!: Electric scooter guide 2022: 15 things to look for before buying an e-scooter in India

2015 Hyundai Elantra facelift launched

The updated car gets a few styling changes on the outside, and an all-black interior with a bit more equipment.

Hyundai has launched an updated version of its executive sedan — the Elantra — at a starting price of Rs 14.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). There are a few styling changes made to what is already a striking car, but you’d have to be really familiar with the Elantra to spot them at first glance. The most prominent are the new headlamps, which now have a blacked-out housing, incorporated projector elements, and a really cool looking LED-illuminated strip. There are new L-shaped fog lamps that sit inside deeper enclosures in a front bumper that is more contoured. The only change you’ll see on the sides are the new 16-inch alloy wheels, but move to the back and you’ll find a new rear bumper with a blacked-out lower section, and new tail-lamps whose lighting pattern mimics LEDs.

There’s a more significant change in store on the inside, where Hyundai has chosen to swap the beige and grey two-tone colour scheme for an all-black one. The dashboard has been changed slightly too, with a new audio system and the welcome addition of a 4.3-inch colour touchscreen in place of the dated monochrome screen. This now also acts as the display for the rear-view camera, rather than the rear-view mirror as before. The tiny central air-con vents have also been replaced by larger ones that now sit higher up on the dashboard, on either side of the infotainment screen. The air-con display, much like many new Hyundais, gets a more upmarket-looking blue on black monochrome display instead of the black on blue colour. Hyundai has also given the Elantra metal-finished pedals.

The engines remain unchanged, of course, and that means a 1.8-litre petrol engine that produces 148bhp and 18.1kgm, and a 1.6-litre diesel engine with 126bhp and 26.5kgm of torque. Both engines can be had with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox, and Hyundai says the manual diesel’s 22.7kpl ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is the best in the segment. As ever with Hyundai, the Elantra is still very well equipped, and apart from the new colour touchscreen, you’ll find things like auto headlamps, keyless entry and go, cruise control, electric front seats with ventilation, six airbags, ESC and of course, Bluetooth.

The manual-transmission cars are available in S and SX trims (the diesel version additionally gets a lower base model), while the automatics are only available in SX trim. The Hyundai Elantra petrol ranges from Rs 14.13-16.49 lakh and the diesel version goes from Rs 14.58-17.94 lakh.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Petrol

S - Rs 14.13 lakh
SX - Rs 15.41 lakh
SX (automatic) - Rs 16.50 lakh

Diesel

Base - Rs 14.58 lakh
S - Rs 15.35 lakh
SX - Rs 16.68 lakh
SX (automatic) - Rs 17.94 lakh

New Generation Honda Civic Revealed ... Roumered pics n details

 The Japanese carmaker, is planning to launch the new-generation Civic in international markets later this year. The company had also showcased the concept at the 2015 New York Auto Show earlier this month, and now the patent sketch images of its coupe and sedan versions have been leaked online by a forum called Civic X.

The Honda Civic's patent design looks a lot more practical as it loses out on the typical concept-like attributes, though it still retains most of the design elements of the concept. The vehicle gets an all-new face with a 'Flying H' Honda grille, flanked by new head-lights. The grille is supported by deeply sculpted lower air intakes. The rear, too, retains the Civic concept-inspired tail-lights.

 the 10th generation Honda Civic that features a longer wheelbase and a lower, wider stance which gives it an aggressive look. Talking about its proportions, it features a longer hood, a more set-back green house, and shorter overhand and rear deck, thus giving it a more athletic and 'in motion' appearance.

The new-generation Honda Civic will get a new 1.5-litre VTEC turbo engine with direct injection, and the engine will be offered with 2 transmission options - a short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, and a new continuously variable transmission (CVT). The company says that the vehicle's new compact platform and 'Earth Dream Technology' powertrains will help the vehicle achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings and fun-to-drive performance, passenger safety, the company will offer some advanced features like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, multi-angle rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control and Honda LaneWatch along with Honda's next-generation advanced compatibility engineering (ACE) body structure.

North America will be the first market to receive the new-gen Honda Civic later this year, whereas the Asian markets will get it only by 2016.

image Courtesy: Civic X

Audi’s lighting tech to make night into day without the glare

Your rear-view mirror is a much coveted spot! Attempting to create a unique brand signature that is instantly recognisable, there are rings, slashes and curvy lines of LEDs or LED tubes that have been vying for our attention in most modern day luxury cars. Sometimes the car’s design and recent history seems to flow around its LED signature.

One brand which is striking and inseparable with its LED tube signature across all of its models is Audi. But Audi’s work with its headlamp and tail-lamp design and construction goes beyond just looks. For engineers at Ingolstadt automotive lighting is an obsession.

Audi is attempting to use lighting not only for aesthetics; but also to function as an information medium. The light comes alive; it moves and takes on new forms of expression and differentiation.

In that, Audi’s new Light Assistance Centre at the company’s German HQ could just alter the future of road safety and travel technology. This underground light tunnel, which is 120 metres long, is home to development of innovative lighting solutions and camera-based lighting assistance systems, which improve visibility, reduce glare for oncoming traffic and increase safety.

Audi claims that the facility, finished in matte black, is the biggest lighting tunnel for vehicles in Europe. The tunnel went into full operation in March and we decided to tiptoe in the darkness and check if there was light at the end of the tunnel (sorry, couldn’t stop that pun).

About the facility

The lighting competence centre and the laser lab, which are housed under an 11-storey building, apparently presented a great challenge for the civil engineers because it had to do without supporting columns and required an interior height of up to nine metres. The floor surface mimics a normal road, which helps with the research and development. Audi invested €4.5 million in the facility and it is about 400 feet long and 40 feet wide mimicking the average road. Over the last 25 metres, it widens to about 60 feet wide and 30 feet to emulate different conditions. It is also equipped with a street-like floor surface, a turntable and a scale for the cars, a laser laboratory, a workshop, a media room and separate rooms for the development of interior lighting technologies. What this ensures is the elimination of the need for night-time tests in uncontrolled conditions. Audi engineers work with the designers and also receive inputs from their motorsport

colleagues, which help in bringing fruition to new ideas even faster. Audi claims lighting is of central importance as a design element. The most recent lighting signature in the company’s model range is characterised by the Matrix LED headlights with their individually controlled light-emitting diodes. They light up the road without blinding opposing traffic.

Marc Lichte, Head of Design at Audi, says: “Our lighting design stands for the perfect interplay between technology and design. It expresses the character of our models even more clearly. The lighting signatures at the front and rear of the car have a great impact on how our models look on the road.” He says in 15 years, he can imagine: “A light that is in motion and interacts with the driver from the moment they approach the vehicle.”

Interaction

This technology is not only innovative in terms of lighting solutions but also adds to the look and design of the entire model range.

One of Audi’s next steps will be Matrix laser technology, in which a laser produces the light. This will enable the ideal light pattern for virtually every situation, such as special lighting for construction zones and similar bottlenecks. In this case, two strips of light about 15 metres (49.2 ft) long are projected onto the road to indicate the vehicle’s width. The new light pattern is a great help when driving through construction zones or similar bottlenecks. The driver can follow the light as if it were rails.

These have already arrived on the TT and A8, but Audi demonstrated for us a mock-up of a headlamp that takes these diamond-shaped LED-powered reflectors and creates a rather intriguing headlamp design, with neat LED strip-light indicators. At the demonstration, we were told this technology will be incorporated into all future models. No specific timeline was mentioned though.

As futuristic (read: difficult to execute) as the concept may sound, Audi claims it is entirely possible to replicate the idea into real life situations. The big question is whether the idea will actually reach Indian shores.

We already don’t have certain radar-assisted sensor technologies in some of the luxury cars being sold here due to frequency limitations and regulations.

Even if it does make its way here, it is difficult to judge the efficacy of this tech in a chaotic country such as ours. But, that’s the exact purpose of Audi’s light assistance technology; to make driving safe for the driver and the oncoming traffic.

Hero Electric launches e-rickshaw ‘Raahii’ at Rs. 1 lakh

 

Two-wheeler maker Hero Electric today launched an electric rickshaw ‘Raahii’ priced at Rs. 1.10 lakh (on road, Delhi).

“We are highly ecstatic on launching this innovative model of e-rickshaw. Raahii is designed to ease the hassles that daily commuters and drivers have to go through while travelling,” Hero Electric CEO Sohinder Gill told reporters here.

The e-rickshaw, which has been certified by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), comes with 1,000 W motor and can cover a distance of 90 km on a single charge, he added.

The vehicle comes with various features like internal LED light for passenger and driver and USB mobile charger for driver, side curtains and inclined back support for passengers.

It will be sold through the company’s 120 dealerships.

“We have already sold more than 1 lakh electric two-wheelers till now and expect to sell a lot of e-rickshaws in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat,” Gill said.

Besides, the company is looking at developing markets in south India, he added.

The company is also working on an upgrade of Raahii which it plans to launch shortly, Gill said.