Scooter or E-Bike? Which Is the Better Option for You
Bikes are not just popular; nowadays, they are an essential mode of transportation for everyone. Due to rising fuel prices, ease of communication, suitability for short distances, and various other reasons, the popularity of electric bikes and scooters is increasing day by day. They are easy to ride and very easy to control. Nevertheless, there are some differences between the two. E-bikes are quite similar to conventional fuel-powered bikes. The main difference is that e-bikes use an electric motor for propulsion. These bikes are standard for daily commuting. Scooters started gaining popularity after the 2000s. These bikes are controlled using a grip throttle. Some of these bikes also have three wheels. Scooters are also very easy to control. E-bikes are generally faster than scooters. However, scooters are very easy to ride.
People are primarily leaning towards electric bikes and scooters due to rising fuel prices. To save on fuel costs, avoid traffic jams, and use them as an economical vehicle for short distances, most people are now interested in electric bikes and scooters. Over the past decade, the demand for e-scooters and electric bikes has significantly increased worldwide. These bikes have created demand among people of all ages and professions. Specifically, people are using these bikes out of necessity.
Electric bikes and scooters are quite user-friendly as vehicles. Various fuel-powered scooters are available in the market and are quite popular. Currently, alongside these scooters, electric scooters are also available. Customers have well received these e-scooters. Electric scooters and electric bikes are already popular in various countries. These bikes are commonly seen in China, Japan, and various European countries.
Before buying such a bike, consider what type of bike you feel comfortable riding. In our country, both electric bikes and scooters are available. However, you need to keep several things in mind before buying. This blog discusses the differences, pros and cons of electric bikes and scooters, which one would be better for you, along with the current prices of e-bikes and the scooter market.
Differences Between E-Bike and Scooter
If you need a bike for daily use and short-distance travel, both a scooter and an electric bike will be economical for you. However, considering a larger battery, higher power, and seating position, an e-bike would be better for you. Scooters have smaller batteries and seating positions, which might cause some discomfort. But for female riders, these bikes are very comfortable.
Public transport crisis and chaos, traffic-congested roads, etc., lead to a loss of many working hours and harm businesses. In this case, an electric bike can be your solution. Electric bikes' heavy weight and stability are quite good for city riding. Scooters are lighter, making them easier to control, but if ridden at high speeds or on uneven roads, they might overturn. Moreover, neither e-bikes nor scooters are suitable for highway roads.
Electric scooters are generally more economical and easier to maintain than electric bikes. Scooters might be a good option for those who want a budget-friendly and fuel-efficient bike. However, electric bikes are more powerful than scooters, making them better for riding on uphill roads. Consider your needs to decide which one is suitable for you.
Both scooters and e-bikes have fewer components, which makes them easier to control. However, in terms of durability, these types of bikes will fall behind fuel-powered bikes. Also, these bikes are not very long-lasting. Batteries need to be replaced every two to three years.
However, neither electric bikes nor scooters are suitable for long journeys. They are designed for short-distance use. You must consider these things before buying a bike. The last section of the blog briefly discusses e-bike prices and scooter market rates.
E-Bike or Scooter? Which One Should You Buy?
Electric bikes and scooters are excellent vehicles for daily commuting and short distances. Their popularity is steadily increasing as an essential mode of transport. E-bikes look similar to regular fuel-powered bikes. They do not emit black smoke or carbon, so they do not harm the environment. These bikes also do not cause noise pollution. You can easily travel on all types of roads except steep or uphill ones. Due to the low engine power of these bikes, they cannot gain speed on steep or uphill roads. Apart from this issue, these bikes are very easy to ride.
These bikes are very convenient for communication on urban roads. To avoid city traffic jams, public transport problems, and for short-distance commuting, these bikes are very advantageous. They can be charged at home, and you don't have to worry about fuel. However, you cannot travel long distances or achieve high speeds with these bikes. Electric scooters are much like electric bikes. But because their batteries are smaller, these bikes are much lighter. So, while easy to ride, their range will be less. However, the advantage of petrol/diesel scooters is that you can go anywhere without hassle, and there is no concern about range. Therefore, consider your needs when buying a bike.
Several diesel-powered scooters are very popular in the country's market. Among them, Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter, and TVS Ntorq are widely sold bikes.
Today's blog is organized around the question of whether to buy an electric bike or an electric scooter. It discusses e-bike prices, scooter prices, differences, and specifications. We hope this will be helpful to you and assist you in buying the right bike for you.
Electric Bike and Scooter Specification Differences
(১) Engine Power and Performance
These bikes and scooters do not have displacement engines; they run on battery-powered motors. The engine power of an e-bike's motor is slightly higher than that of a scooter. However, the acceleration of e-scooters is comparatively better than electric bikes, allowing them to generate power quickly. Therefore, for city riding and short distances, they are comfortable at relatively moderate speeds. They also take less time to charge. Overall, the performance of e-scooters is quite good. Electric bikes have more battery power, resulting in comparatively higher speed. However, a full charge takes a lot of time, almost 7-8 hours.
(২) Battery Capacity
Both electric bikes and scooters run on battery power. So, the greater the battery capacity, the more powerful the bike will be. Electric bike batteries are larger and more efficient than scooter batteries. The biggest problem with battery-powered vehicles is that their speed is lower than engine-powered vehicles. Generally, these light bikes cannot carry much weight. Those who have more weight and want to transport heavier goods should consider these bikes more carefully before buying. You can carry a pillion or goods on an e-bike, as these bikes are designed that way. However, you cannot carry too much weight.
(৩) Speed and Range
Both e-bikes and e-scooters use powerful batteries. However, electric bike batteries are usually slightly larger. These bikes can achieve 50-80 km mileage on a full charge. E-scooter batteries are slightly smaller, making them quite light, and their mileage is between 40-60 km. Neither e-scooters nor e-bikes have high speeds. These bikes can never compete with fuel-powered bikes. However, electric bikes are slightly faster than scooters. The maximum speed of an electric bike is 20 MPH, and an electric scooter's maximum speed is 15 MPH. The price of the bike depends on its speed and power. Before buying an electric bike or scooter, you must test its pickup. This is because electric vehicles generate torque quickly as soon as the engine starts, leading to a rapid increase in speed.
(৪) Bike Price and Parts Availability
Compared to fuel-powered bikes, electric bikes and scooters can be considered quite affordable. You will find electric bikes and scooters of various prices in the market. However, electric bikes are slightly more expensive than electric scooters. E-scooters have smaller batteries and fewer parts, so their price is also slightly lower. Generally, their prices range from BDT 50,000 to BDT 2,00,000. As battery capacity and speed increase, their prices also tend to rise. The prices of these bikes are discussed in the last part of the blog. Since electric bikes and scooters have fewer parts, their servicing costs are lower. However, it should also be kept in mind that these bikes are not as durable as fuel-powered bikes. They do not last very long. However, fuel-powered scooters last for a long time. The batteries of these bikes need to be replaced every 2-3 years. Not all parts for these bikes are available in the market. So, before buying, research the market and thoroughly inquire about what after-sales services the company will provide.
(৫) Environment Friendly
Both electric bikes and scooters are environmentally friendly compared to fuel-powered bikes. These bikes do not emit black smoke or carbon, nor do they cause noise pollution, so they do not harm the environment. Many developed countries around the world are encouraging the use of electric vehicles. This is because excessive carbon emissions on Earth are causing significant damage to the ozone layer. Electric vehicles are designed to be environmentally friendly.
(৬) Wheel Size
The wheel size of electric bikes is considerably larger than that of scooters. For this reason, electric bikes are easier to ride on any road (except steep or uphill roads) and are somewhat speedier. Due to the smaller wheels of e-scooters, they are difficult to ride on any road, especially broken and muddy roads. The wheel size of e-bikes is usually around 15-16 inches, and that of e-scooters is typically around 10 to 12 inches. So, consider these factors before buying a bike.
(৭) Charging Time
Both electric bikes and scooters run on electric charge. Electric bikes require 7/8 hours of charging, while scooters require 4-6 hours. An electric bike can cover 50-80 km on a single charge. A scooter can cover 40-60 km on a single charge. Before buying a bike, inquire about the battery power and how many kilometers it will cover on a full charge. These bikes usually need to be charged at home. Since these bikes are not yet approved in our country, there are no charging stations on the roads.
(৮) License
Electric bikes are not yet approved in Bangladesh. Therefore, a license is not required to ride them on all roads except highways. No approval is needed to ride 75cc bikes and bikes with a speed of less than 30 km/h. These bikes are not allowed on highway roads. They can only be ridden for short distances and city riding. However, it is hoped that higher CC or faster bikes will receive approval in the country. This would significantly increase interest in these bikes in the country, and then a license will be required.
In conclusion, the popularity of electric bikes and scooters is increasing day by day. In the context of the global economy, their popularity will grow even more. These bikes are still not very well known to the people of our country. The main reasons for this are the lack of government patronage and approval.
In reality, both e-bikes and scooters have their own distinct advantages. One should choose a bike considering their individual needs and convenience. For example, an electric scooter is good for quick short-distance travel, just as an e-bike is good for city riding. You can buy either one based on your own conveniences and inconveniences, and depending on your budget.
E-Bike Prices - Current Price List 2022
| Bike Name | CC | Price |
| Bir Magnum | Electric | ৳73,500 |
| Akij Durdanto | Electric | ৳110,000 |
| Akij Ponkhiraj | Electric | ৳80,000 |
| Akij Durjoy | Electric | ৳85,000 |
| Runner eWave Eco | Electric | ৳71,000 |
| GreenTiger GT-5 | Electric | ৳67,500 |
| GreenTiger GT-5 Pulse (Motrac M2 Electric Bike) | Electric | ৳77,500 |
N.B: The mentioned price information may not be 100% accurate. We collect information from manufacturer website and other reputed sources. Please inform us if you have found any mistake or wrong information.
Scooter Market Price (Here are the updated prices for fuel-powered scooters)
| Bike Name | CC | Price |
| Suzuki Burgman Street 125 | 125cc | ৳249,000 |
| TVS XL 100 ES | 100cc | ৳69,900 |
| Znen Goldfish 50 | 50cc | ৳98,000 |
| Vespa Elegant 150 | 150cc | ৳215,000 |
| Yamaha NMAX 155 | 155cc | ৳425,000 |
| Aprilia SR 150 Race | 150cc | ৳177,000 |
| Atlas Jianshe ZS 110-72 | 110cc | ৳89,000 |
| Runner Scooty 110 | 110cc | ৳99,000 |
| Honda Dio 110 | 110cc | ৳146,900 |
| Hero Pleasure 100 | 100cc | ৳122,990 |
N.B: The mentioned price information may not be 100% accurate. We collect information from manufacturer website and other reputed sources. Please inform us if you have found any mistake or wrong information.
