I have always believed that when a major event is about to happen, all the circumstances around it fall in place just in time for the event to take place. As things stand today, all the circumstances that should make us switch from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric are in place. Now all we have to do is act.
The horror at the petrol pump has just begun and is not likely to end anytime soon. Petrol and diesel prices are going up everyday and the high price of fuel affects us all in more ways than one. As everything we buy is transported from somewhere, the rising price of diesel ensures that the cost of all goods and services also goes up. In this atmosphere of rising prices due to rising fuel costs, there is a cost effective solution right under our very noses and that solution is to go electric!
For once, the Goa government has acted faster than most other states in promoting the sale and use of electric vehicles. Since January this year, Goa is one of the few states in India where electric vehicles are exempt from road tax. Yes, you read right, there is no road tax when you purchase a new electric vehicle. Considering that the road tax in Goa is 8% on two-wheelers and 9% on basic cars, that’s a huge savings. Still not convinced? Here are a few more compelling reasons to switch to an electric bike or car right now:
Electric vehicles cost less than petrol vehicles.
The basic electric bike is now available for Rs 30,000 and there are no licencing and registration costs. There is no road tax either. Factor in that you don’t have to pay for fuel or maintenance costs like oil changes anymore and you will realise that electric vehicles cost far less to run and maintain than their petrol or diesel cousins. As you are charging your vehicle at home, you are paying really low electricity rates and if you have switched your home to solar power, your electric vehicle power is almost free. Let’s take the example of the entry level electric cars by Mahindra and Tata, they both cost around Rs 7 lakh which is just slightly higher than buying say a Wagon R type car when you add their road tax payment. Factor in the petrol and maintenance costs and by the end of the first year, the electric car will start to become a cheaper investment than their petrol option.
No Licence and Registration required for two wheelers: Electric bikes are not rated by CC (as there are no petrol or diesel combustion engines in them) but by the capacity of their electric motors. All bikes that have a power rating below 250 watts and speed less than 25 kilometers per hour do not need any driving licence nor do they need to be registered. The bike must be approved by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and you still have to wear a helmet for your own safety. Any electric bike with a power rating over 250 watts still needs a driving licence and registration but the central government is looking to change that soon for slightly higher capacity motors to be included in the exemption.
Say goodbye to the petrol pump: As a electric vehicle owner you might soon forget what a petrol pump looks like as you don’t have to go there and line up for fuel anymore. When you are back home every evening, all you have to do is plug in your vehicle to a regular electricity outlet and your vehicle is fully charged the next morning. You also don’t have to worry about range anymore. Even the basic electric bikes come with a 50 to 70 kilometer range on a full charge and higher capacity bikes and cars now have a range of 120 to 350 kilometers on a single charge. For the average Goan who commutes short distances within his village or city, 50 kilometers a day is more than enough range for his daily commuting needs.
Say hello to low maintenance costs: Imagine, no more oil changes, no more failed transmissions and just a yearly trip to the repair shop for routine maintenance. As there are very few moving parts in an electric vehicle, there are very few things that break or that need regular fixing. You still have to maintain your brakes but they usually last twice as long petrol and diesel vehicles. The only item that needs changing every few years is your battery and their cost is coming down dramatically.
Electric vehicles are safe to drive: All electric vehicles must pass the same safety tests as their petrol and diesel cousins. You will be surprised to learn that most electric vehicles score higher in crash test results and are completely safe to drive. A big safety concern for electric vehicles was their ability to catch fire during a crash but it was discovered that they have a 80% less chance of catching fire as there is no combustible fuel like petrol or diesel present in them. Manufactures are also installing circuit breakers that ensure that the battery gets automatically disconnected with the sensors detect a collision or crash situation.
Other benefits that one cannot ignore:The first thing you notice when you drive any electric vehicle is the absence of noise. Apart from the initial sound at starting and accelerating the vehicle, they are completely silent and promise you a smooth and noise free ride. They are build to be quiet both inside and out. They are also great for the environment as they do not have any tailpipe emissions which means fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a reduced carbon footprint. Cleaner air means less diseases and in turn less pressure on public health systems. The more electric vehicles on the road the more cleaner air for all of us.
The government has made the first move and the electric buses, the mini pickup trucks and the electric cars are ready. The only big question that remains for all of you is – Are you ready? Time to get on your marks, get set and Go Electric!
(The author is a entrepreneur mentor for the past 20 years)
