I want to buy my first bike, but I am confused because the government has recently announced that E85 or E200 fuel could be introduced in the future. At present, most two-wheelers are only compatible with E20 fuel. When are these higher ethanol blends expected to become practical for regular use? Should I go ahead and buy a petrol two-wheeler now, or is it better to wait?

Autocar India

•5d

Both the TVS iQube and Ather Rizta are accomplished electric scooters with very few factors to pick between them in terms of the product proposition they present. The iQube is as straightforward and fuss-free as an electric scooter can get in comparison to a petrol option, and if this is your first EV, it would make for a smooth transition. There are five variants available within the iQube lineup, and we'd recommend choosing between the 3.1 / 3.5 models for your daily 45km commute.Where the iQube is the straightforward choice in the EV arena, the Rizta doesn't lag too far behind. Ather's first family e-scooter is comfortable, practical and has more tech than machines three times the price (if you're into that sort of thing). The small 2.9 battery variants can return close to or just above 100km real-world range, which should be more than enough for your use case. Do bear in mind that the S 2.9 variant has a simpler LCD display and doesn't have Ather's Magic Twist regenerative braking system and traction control. This model also comes with a very slow charger, meaning you'll need to plug it in overnight for a full charge.A test ride of both will help you decide which is the better option for you. Whichever option you decide to go for, make sure you have a service centre nearby, that's a key factor in EV ownership because a roadside mechanic can't really fix much when it breaks down, as most functions are electronically controlled.

Autocar India

•3d

Since your daily running is quite low, getting an electric scooter doesn't make sense, as recouping the higher initial purchase cost will take quite a while. In the petrol scooter space, sticking with proven models like Honda Activa 110 / 125, TVS Jupiter 110 / 125 and Suzuki Access would be prudent. The 110cc models will have better fuel economy, but the 125cc versions usually have more features and a noticeable step up in performance. However, considering that petrol prices are on the upswing currently, one electric scooter you could consider to combat that is the TVS iQube 2.2. Its price isn't much higher than most of the aforementioned ICE scooters, and it has a real-world range of 75km - we've verified this in our tests. Take test rides of these scooters before you make a decision. Remember that with an EV, longer journeys will need a little bit extra planning and preparedness than with an ICE scooter.