Current rage? Not quite

For years now, the automobile industry has experimented with alternative fuels to replace petrol. Many car and two-wheeler manufacturers across the world have used electricity to power their vehicles, and with global warming on the rise, even companies in India have started taking it seriously. One such two-wheeler firm, Hero Ultra, which boasts a large range of electric two-wheelers, has recently launched a new e-scooter8212;Velociti. The company is a collaboration between Hero Exports, part of the Hero Group, and Ultra Motor Company of the UK, a global electric vehicle solutions company.
Velociti is powered by the Impulse Inertia Technology, a Hero Ultra invention, which gives the e-scooter a speed of 40 kmph and a better torque. Not exactly a whirlwhind, but one should keep in mind that electric vehicles are not about power, only about going from one point to another at a very low cost and for a specific distance. It8217;s all about cutting down petrol and maintenance bills.

Design
At first glance, Velociti can be mistaken for a sophisticated toy because of its compact looks. What the e-scooter has going for it is clean and sleek lines, especially the tail lamps and indicators. But it lacks storage space. You8217;d expect more space under the seat considering that the scooter has a simple electric engine without an air filter, spark plug and other components, not to forget the petrol engine. But no such luck. So you either put a helmet lock on the back rest rail or just carry your head gear. Even the glove compartment is not spacious, enough only for perhaps the registration papers and a very small bag. There8217;s not much to brag about legroom either, just enough for an adult8217;s feet, which rules out the possibility of a bag on the floor. The charging point is below the seat convenient enough to plug it in. Velociti8217;s seats are comfortable and provide a good riding position. Hero Ultra has tried to have an attractive speedometer, but the overall feel of the e-scooter is plasticky. This is a major drawback, given that it costs Rs 34,000.

Engine/economy
The Impulse Inertia Technology makes sure the Velociti cruises at 40 kmph, which is reasonably fast for an e-scooter, and has a range of 50 km per charge. At that speed, in urban areas, you can actually see the world pass by. So these two-wheelers are best suited for small towns or for short distances, preferably where there are no heavy vehicles. The engine has a 500-Watt motor and an output of 1,000 Watts. The heart of the Velociti is so quiet that the rider has a tough time figuring out if it is switched on or off. It is very smooth and feels like a glider. But don8217;t forget, the scooter needs to be charged for six to eight hours if you want to cover 50 km.
Expectedly, the maintenance too is very low. The company provides free servicing for the first three times, which would cost Rs 100-150 otherwise. Yes, that low. No leaking engine oils, no need to clean the spark plug because there isn8217;t one. Another good thing about the Velociti is that the running cost is just 10 paise/km.

Last word
Is Velociti a perfect replacement for a petrol scooter? Not yet. It needs to be bigger and have a solid presence on the road. It feels unsafe when buses whizz past because of its compact size. The wheel size needs to be increased as the scooter does not evince confidence when tackling turns. At Rs 34,000 ex-showroom, the Velociti is pricey8212;the popular TVS Scooty comes for Rs 31,000 and, of course, the king of scooters, Honda Activa, costs Rs 40,000. The e-scooter also has competition from its cousin, Hero Pleasure, which costs around Rs 37,500. Though none of these scooters are electric, they are all tried and tested.
Velociti is an excellent second two-wheeler which is ideal for a quick drive down to the neighbourhood market. But the price actually kills that image. The company is targeting the 28-year-olds, but at that age one is either planning to buy a car or already has a two wheeler. Unless you8217;re a Rainbow Warrior8212;a hardcore environmental activist8212;this scooter is best left to people in small towns.