Affordable, low-maintenance bikes attract government workers, delivery riders and students
RAWALPINDI:
Following the continued rise in oil prices, sales and demand for electric and battery-powered motorcycles have increased significantly on the open market.
Government employees, take-away delivery workers and riders are increasingly using e-bikes as a cost-effective alternative.
Electric bicycles and battery scooters are now commonly seen across the city’s roads, ridden by female students, young people and commuters in large numbers. Motorcycle dealers have also started offering electric scooters and bikes both on cash payment and instalments.
The trend of using electric scooters is especially increasing among female students, working women and other female commuters.
In Pakistan, the prices of electric bicycles (e-bikes) vary depending on the brand, battery capacity and features. They are generally available from around Rs170,000 to over Rs600,000.
Popular brands include Jolta, Pakzon, United and Vlektra. These bikes help reduce fuel consumption and have lower maintenance costs as they do not require petrol or engine oil.
Each model offers a different selection. A fully charged electric scooter can travel up to around 100 kilometres, while a single battery typically provides a range of around 80 kilometres. Another advantage is that these vehicles run almost silently.
Dealers say the electric scooters are offered with full warranty and can be bought on installment with an upfront payment of Rs10,000 to Rs15,000. Monthly installments usually range between Rs5,000 and Rs10,000, depending on the initial payment, while most dealers offer repayment plans for up to a year.
Users say that e-bikes significantly reduce fuel costs. Haris Ali, an e-bike user, said dealers claim a battery can run 80 to 100 kilometers while a full electric charge can exceed 100 kilometers, but in reality the effective range is closer to 50 kilometers before the bike starts to lose power. However, he added that because the bikes do not run on petrol or diesel, owners save money on engine tuning and maintenance.
Working woman Ayesha Sultana said she bought a low-capacity scooter on installment and has saved significantly on petrol costs. Dealers also report that many motorcyclists have sold their gasoline-powered bikes and switched to electric models.
