The past two years have seen plenty of action in the
electric vehicle sphere. Sky rocketing fuel prices are a
big concern. However fuel efficient a bike is, it still
burns a hole in the pocket. Till we get nuclear powered
bikes, electric vehicles seem the most viable solution.
EVs have been around for some time and have proved an
effective means to ultra cheap, fuss free commuting.
The latest to jump on to the electric bandwagon is
bicycle manufacturer BSA. BSA Motors, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Tube Investments of India group, will be
manufacturing EVs at its newly set up facility at
Chennai. The company intends to cater to a wide range of
customers and hence has five models ranging from 250
watts to 800 watts. Smile is the entry level scooterette
designed mainly for school going youngsters graduating
from bicycles. It is powered by a 250-watt brushless DC
motor and 14Ah battery, which propels it to its limited
top speed of 25kmph. A single charge is claimed to last
about 55km in real world riding conditions. Next up the
range is Diva and Street Rider, the former aimed at the
fair sex. Boasting specification similar to the Smile,
they sport trendy looks and a higher capacity 22Ah
battery giving it a range of 75km per charge. The Diva
bears a striking resemblance to the TVS Scooty Pep+.
Performance has always been the EVs downside and BSA has
tried to address this issue by incorporating an 800W
motor for the first time in India. The bigger motor
gives BSA Roamer+ brisk acceleration and the 2SAh
battery ensures it goes 60km before the battery runs out
of charge. The Roamer looks attractive and not overdone.
I had a chance to ride it at the launch and it is
strikingly peppier than the EVs I have ridden. The
speedo showed 55kmph plus, substantiating the company’s
claims of a true top speed of 45kmph. The Roamer
meanwhile is powered by a 500W motor. It will need
registration and a driving license for the rider.
Like most of thc EV makers in the country, BSA utilises
body kits imported from China but claims they have been
Indianised extensively. The company is also
concentrating a lot on R&D. IT claims to have India’s
best EV production facility as well as 1.50 different
test beds, including an ARAI designed chassis
dynamometer that is one of its kind in India. The
testing
regime also includes an underwater motor test, where it
is submerged in water and run for three hours.
The fit and finish is good and an intelligent use of
decals endows the bikes with appeal. The ergonomics are
cramped given their smallish dimensions but it should
not be a bother for youngsters and girl riders. The
Roamer range gets telescopic forks up front while the
rest make do with a leading link front suspension. The
ride quality is nothing to write home about while the
drum brakes are adequate.
Though BSA didn’t disclose individual pricing, the
prices will range between Rs 28,000 and Rs 36,000,
ex-showroom, Chennai. The company plans to set up about
45 dealers in South Indian states and plans to start
making a pan Indian presence in the second half of 2009.
