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      Ather 450 Electric Scooter Referral Program Launched – Benefits of Rs 2,500

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      The Referral Program is live in Bengaluru and Chennai – Extend privilege to friends and earn brownie points
      Ather Energy has announced a Referral Program for the Ather 450 electric scooter. Currently exclusively on offer in Bengaluru and Chennai, the program will benefit existing and new customers with monetary credits worth Rs.2,500.

      As a part of this new program, Ather Energy will allow its existing electric scooter owners to share a referral code with friends. In the event of any purchase made via this code, the referrer and new buyer will both receive monetary credits to the tune of Rs.2,500.
      Along with India’s first lease program and referral program, Ather also introduced easy ownership with the exchange of any petrol two wheeler for the Ather 450. It also gains advantage of all fiscal incentives offered by the State and Central Governments while the Ather Forum of buyers have been the company’s strongest supporters and critics which has taking the company ahead in the race of electric scooters in the country.
      The company has also confirmed that delivery periods have been reduced to 3 weeks. This could be another reason why buyers will find the Ather 450 a more viable purchase.

      Ather Energy introduced the 450 electric scooter in 2018 which was followed by a new flagship model called Ather 450X in 2020. This e-scooter is presented in three colours of grey, green and white. It is powered by a 6kW PMSM motor with a 2.9 kWh battery pack and gets 4 riding modes of Eco, Ride, Sport and Warp. Under the Warp mode, the Ather 450X can accelerate from 0 to 40 km/h in 3.3 seconds making it the quickest electric scooter in its segment. Owners can opt for two performance pack options of Pro and Plus. Each pack is specifically designed to offer a range of connected and riding capabilities.
      Features
      Ather 450X gets a 4G SIM card, Wi-Fi connectivity with Bluetooth, a 7 inch touchscreen dashboard with colour depth of 16M and Snapdragon Quad Core processor. The e-scooter uses Android Open Source for map navigation while on board diagnostics and features include over-the-air updates, auto indicator off and guide-me-home lamps.
      Tarun Mehta, CEO, Ather Energy
      The mobile app offers ride statistics, charging status and navigation updates along with theft and tow detection and live location. Vehicle tracking, voice assist and welcome lamps are also a part of its features. The Ather App also allows the 450X to support accessories like smart helmets and tyre pressure monitoring system.
      The Ather 450X can be charged via smart charging Ather Grids set up at malls, cafes, supermarkets and tech parks in Chennai and Bengaluru which will also be expanded to other cities. It was launched in India at a starting price of Rs.99,000. This price included the ownership of the scooter and for battery leasing. On the other hand if buyers wanted an outright purchase, the full price is at Rs.1.49 lakhs and Rs.1.59 lakhs for the Plus and Pro packs which excludes insurance and registration costs but includes the battery ownership.
      Ather Energy CEO, Tarun Mehta has revealed on Twitter that the company will be expanding the Ather e-scooters to new cities. Hyderabad will get the new 450X in September while launch in Pune and Mumbai is planned by the end of this year. Ather Grid fast chargers will be set up across Ahmedabad with launch in Surat scheduled for sometime in 2021. More

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      Honda Activa Electric Launch Plans Dismissed – Official Confirmation

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      Honda believes that abruptly converting a successful ICE product (such as the Activa) to electric will backfire
      The Indian automotive industry is gradually shifting focus to all-electric and ‘cleaner’ vehicles in the affordable segment. At the moment, there are only three desirable EVs in the four-wheeler category: Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona.

      On the other hand, Mahindra Electric is readily the eXUV300 as a direct rival to Tata Motors’ Nexon EV. Maruti Suzuki will join the party as well with the WagonR Electric (final name could be different).
      However, it appears that two-wheelers (especially scooters) showcase the best potential for electric powertrains. Bangalore-based Ather Energy has set a high benchmark for a modern electric two-wheeler and many brands are trying to implement a similar formula in their new emission-free offerings. Among mainstream brands, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company have got the Chetak and iQube, respectively.

      Honda Activa is India’s best selling scooter
      Yet many are waiting for Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) to launch an all-electric version of the country’s bestselling scooter, Activa. In fact, many have retrofitted capable (and arguably better) electric power plants in the Honda Activa over the years. It was only recently that we shared such an interesting example from Pune-based Northway Motorsport.
      No official plans for a Honda Activa Electric
      In an interview with ET Auto, Atsushi Ogata (MD, President & CEO of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India) confirmed that buyers cannot expect an all-electric Honda Activa avatar in the foreseeable future. The Japanese automaker believes that it is very risky to convert a successful petrol-CVT scooter to all-electric in short notice.
      Furthermore, it will lay an immense burden on HMSI’s supply network and production facilities. This is applicable for any brand which has a strong ICE proposition in its portfolio.
      There are no plans to introduce an electric Activa variant alongside the current BS6 model either since present-day technologies make it difficult to price equivalent ICE and EV products in close proximity. The company looks forward to mass-volume sales for EVs and in today’s scenario, this is quite a task to achieve. HMSI aims to wait it out until battery systems fall in pricing and charging infrastructure becomes more efficient.
      However, the company might experiment with electric two-wheeler technologies higher up on the price ladder. Multiple rumours suggest that HMSI would bring down the PCX Electric to our market to compete against the likes of Ather models. In Japan, the EV is available only via a leasing scheme. In the budget or ‘low speed’ class, brands such as Hero Electric, Ampere Vehicles, Okinawa Scooters, etc., are finding a good number of takers. More

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      Revolt Electric Mumbai Launch Confirmed in Latest Teaser

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      Mumbai will be the sixth city in India, where Revolt has their electric motorcycle on sale
      When Revolt Motors got in on the action, they started in a phased manner. Operations started first in Pune, and Delhi, followed by Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. While initial plans pointed to a Mumbai launch in March end, Covid-19 pandemic related lockdown warranted industry-wide launch revisions. The wait is now over, and business in Mumbai starts in a few days (expected launch date 30th August).

      Following launch in August 2019, Revolt RV400 electric price was revised to Rs 1,03,999, ex-sh, up 5k from Rs 98,999, ex-sh introductory price. Applicable to the one time payment option, customers need to take into account one time booking amount of Rs 3,999. Other costs include registration/RTO (On Actuals) + Insurance + Smart Card + One-time mandatory charge of 4G connectivity for 3 years.
      Revolt RV400 warranty
      Revolt RV400 is available with unlimited battery warranty (8 years or 150,000 kms), free maintenance benefits (3years or 30,000kms), product warranty (5 years or 75,000 kms) and insurance (1-year company owned, 5 years third-party). Battery warranty, and for that matter, drive range anxiety are considerable buyer concerns at this stage when the EV industry finds few customers. To make things simple, Revolt sells RV400 premium variant, and RV300 base variant. The premium variant is offered in 4 sound options for the bike – Revolt, Rebel, Roar, and Rage.

      Revolt Electric Motorcycle. File photo.
      For now, Revolt has a clear advantage in the market. As an early mover, the company is able to advance without any competition, and is paving the way for the segment to exist being a lone electric motorcycle available on sale in the country.
      Other electric motorcycles that have been shown either as ready to be launched or as concept include Tork T6X, Hero AE-47, Okinawa Oki100, One Electric Kridn, Benling electric bike, and Evolet Hawk amongst others. As the segment develops, it’s evident that a range of new companies are entering the market.
      Revolt RV300 features a 1.5kW hub motor, 60-volt, 2.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, and RV400 runs on a 3kW motor mounted inside the frame with a 72-volt, 3.24 kWh battery. Revolt RV400 ground clearance stands at 215 mm. The portable battery setup in use can be fully charged (0-100 percent) in 4.5 hours, and uses 3 units of electricity through a 15 Ampere socket.
      Revolt RV400 high-speed 2-wheeler segment
      From the outset, Revolt had introduced a subscription model that required no down payment. RV300 is available for Rs 2,999 per month and RV400 is on sale at 3,999 per month. As partial sales resumed in July 2020, Revolt Motors has posted sales of less than 200 units in both June, and July 2020.
      In the high-speed 2-wheeler segment, Revolt RV300 and RV400 faces no direct competition as yet as all other offerings are scooters. FADA reported retail segment sales (others including EV) at 1,380 units for July 2020. 2020 YTD sales sees high-speed scooter sales from multiple manufacturers exceed that of the Revolt motorcycles. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Hyundai Kona Electric owner does 403 kms Road Trip in Kerala – With AC On

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      Even after completing the journey of over 400 kms, the car showed that there was still enough charge to do another 40 kms
      Even though costly as compared to their fossil fuel powered counterparts, electric cars offer a range of benefits. There are not many electric car owners in India, but there are many who aspire to become one. The main reason holding most buyers back, is the range curiosity and charging infrastructure.

      To help consumers understand the range of electric cars in India, some owners have shared detailed videos about real world drive range, service costs, etc. Now, a Hyundai Kona electric owner from Kerala, via YouTube Channel ‘Kona Kerala’ has shared their experience of driving the car from Trivandrum to Calicut, a distance of around 400 km.
      Trivandrum to Calicut – Journey details
      The journey begins at a Hyundai dealership in Trivandrum and ends at a Hyundai dealership in Calicut. The purpose of this journey was to find out the actual range of Kona EV. The ARAI-claimed range of Kona is 452 km, making it the longest range EV in the country. In comparison, Tata Nexon has a range of 312 km whereas MG ZS EV can travel 340 km on a single charge. Recently, a Nexon EV owner had posted their range experience with the car, which came out to be 170-180 km on a single charge.

      Hyundai Kona EV owner shares stats / experience
      Talking about Kona’s 400 km journey, the car starts with a full charge from the Trivandrum dealership and reaches the bypass road after travelling for 69 km. Most roads in Kerala are two-lane and the ones near cities and towns are usually crowded. To save battery, the vlogger utilizes Kona’s special feature where the driver’s side AC can function independently. This saves battery without compromising comfort when driving alone. After driving for 103 km, the battery was at 80 percent.
      At 161 km, the battery consumption was at 34 percent and the available range showed 209 km on the instrument cluster. As the car enters Kochi, it is faced with traffic jams. However, it does not have any major impact on battery consumption, as energy use is low when the car is idling. When the battery level showed 50 percent, Kona had travelled a distance of 233 km. Available range was displayed at 160 km. Watch the detailed video below.

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      When it started getting dark, Kona was around 112 km away from its destination. The car performed well in night time conditions and reached the Hyundai dealership in Calicut with 7 percent battery still remaining.
      Cost-effective in the long run
      Overall, Kona travelled 409 km in this journey on a single charge. If we consider the 7 percent remaining battery, it shows that Kona’s real world range is quite close to its claimed range of 452 km.
      However, Kona may not be for everyone, as it is quite expensive at Rs 26 lakh, on-road. Nonetheless, Kona can still be cost-effective in the long run, as charging and maintenance cost is significantly less in comparison to that of ICE powered cars. More

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      Okinawa R30 Electric Scooter Launch Price Rs 59k – Top speed 25 kmph

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      Okinawa R30 is a low speed e-scooter with a top speed of 25 km/h
      Electric two wheeler makers, Okinawa Autotech has launched the new R30 e-scooter at a price of Rs.58,992. Pre-bookings have opened at a token amount of Rs.2,000 and even though the e-scooter is positioned in the lower speed segment of 25 km/h, it sees an interesting amount of on board features and equipment.

      Okinawa R30 is presented in five colour options of Pearl White, Glossy Red, Metallic Orange, Sea Green, and Sunrise Yellow. It gets a large stylish headlamp mounted on its apron, alloy wheels, a fully digital instrument display and body coloured floor mats.

      Front turn indicators are located on the handlebar with position lamps and there is also a decent sized tail lamp cluster. The e-scooter sports a large grab rail and comfortable seating. The R30 gets maximum payload of 150 kgs and ability to climb an inclination of 7 degrees. It gets low seat height of 735mm and ground clearance of 160mm allowing for an efficient ride in city conditions.
      Specs
      Okinawa R30 electric scooter is powered by a detachable 1.25 kWh lithium ion battery pack. It offers a range of around 60 kms and is chargeable upto 100 percent in 4-5 hours. It gets a micro charger with Auto Cut facility while the electric motor is a 250 W rated BLDC unit. Top speed stands at 25 km/h. The removable battery comes in with a 3 year warranty while the 250 W BLDC electric motor gets 3 years/30,000 km warranty whichever is earlier.

      Okinawa R30 Performance Specs
      Suspension and braking on the Okinawa R30 e-scooter is via conventional telescopic forks in the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear and drum brakes at both ends with E-ABS (Electronic Assisted Braking System) with a regenerative system. Okinawa R30 will compete with the mid-spec Ampere and Hero electric scooter models current on sale in the country.

      Okinawa R30 Technical Specs
      In view of the current COVID-19 situation in the country, Okinawa has introduced home delivery of all its products in Bengaluru. This doorstep delivery service is free of cost and introduced exclusively for buyers in Bengaluru on a pilot project. It will replicate this service in other cities across the country based on the response it receives in Bengaluru.
      The coronavirus pandemic led to the delay of the company’s first electric motorcycle – Oki100. It was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in concept format and is pitched to be a fully made in India product. Initially plans were to launch the Oki 100 in the second quarter – July – September period but now launch has been pushed ahead to the third quarter of this year.
      The company had also showcased an electric maxi-scooter called the Cruiser at the 2020 Auto Expo which is expected to launch in India later this year. It gets power via a 3kW, brushless motor offering a top speed of 100 km/h. It promises to come in with a range of 120 kms on a single charge and will be offered with a high speed charger which can charge up the battery in 2-3 hours. More

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      Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter based Husqvarna EV imagined

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      Bajaj Auto had confirmed that a performance-focused electric scooter (based on the Chetak EV) will come under KTM and Husqvarna
      Bajaj Auto has a strong portfolio of single-cylinder sports motorcycles under its wings, in the form of KTM India and Husqvarna Motorcycles India. Husqvarna is relatively new to the Indian market and has only two products on offer: Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250. They are essentially a KTM 250 Duke inside, with extra attention to detail on the outside. Husqvarna Motorcycles India will eventually bring down its ‘200’ and ‘401’ models.

      KTM India has already set a high standard in India’s single-cylinder motorcycle segment. In fact, the all-new KTM 390 Adventure is arguably the best single-cylinder product on our market today. It is not news that the Austrian automaker is working on a new ~500cc twin-cylinder engine that would eventually come to the next range of KTM, Bajaj and Husqvarna models.
      Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto has started experimenting on the other side of the spectrum. The Chakan-based two-wheeler manufacturer’s Chetak EV makes more sense than a conventional petrol-CVT alternative such as a Honda Activa in urban environments. At the moment, electric powertrains showcase the highest potential in the scooter segment. Hence, Bajaj Auto plans to introduce sportier counterparts of the Chetak EV platforms under KTM and Husqvarna nameplate.

      Digital render
      Electric Vehicle Web has shared an interesting render of a possible Husqvarna e-scooter. The styling follows principles set by KISKA, the design firm behind Husqvarna’s modern-day aesthetics. The emission-free scooter carries the right amount of quirkiness and funkiness but may not impress the average Indian buyer who has poor taste in automotive aesthetics.
      Features
      Notable details include dual-tone black/white paint scheme with Lime Green (fluorescent green) highlights, dark grey 5-spoke alloy wheels, disc brakes, round full-LED headlamp, tall flyscreen, two-step seating, extended floorboard, hub-mounted motor, etc. The production model, which should become a reality in the near future, is expected to generate around 4kW (5.36bhp) and 16Nm while coupled to a 3kWh battery pack.
      Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Industries AG, confirms that a 48V e-scooter platform is being considered for mass production in India. Coming under ‘Urban E-Mobility strategy’, the EV will be of offered in two formats (with varied output and features). Most likely, only the shell will change between KTM India and Husqvarna Motorcycles India’s versions of the same.
      To surpass the bars set by current e-scooters, one can expect it to feature a touchscreen instrument console, multiple riding modes, fast-charging and even swappable battery units. In India, Ather Energy products will be the benchmark to meet. More

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      Super Soco CPx electric scooter debuts with 140km Range

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      The new Super soco CPx 4kW (5.36bhp) electric motor capable of producing a peak torque of 171Nm
      Chinese electric two-wheeler manufacturer ‘Super soco’, owned by Jiangsu Super soco Intelligent Co. based in Shanghai, has introduced a new maxi-scooter for European markets. Dubbed Super soco CPx, the EV is claimed to be “a better alternative to 125cc petrol-CVT alternatives“.

      Prices in the UK start from GBP 3,599 (roughly INR 3.53 lakh) for the base single-battery variant. The higher dual-battery version costs GBP 4,699 (or INR 4.61 lakh). The new PCx is the second most premium offering in the lineup which also consists of electric commuter motorcycles.
      Super soco states that it is the most successful electric two-wheeler maker in the UK. Super soco UK has got six products in its 2020MY portfolio: CUx, CUx Ducati edition, TSx, TC, CPx and TC Max. It is worth mentioning that Super soco is one of the official suppliers for Ducati this year.

      Key features, equipment and dimensions
      Available in Black, Grey and Silver, the all-electric maxi-scooter sports a unique and quirky design philosophy in an all-black theme. It gets a pair of full-LED headlamps, large flyscreen, digital instrument console, USB charging, telescopic forks, rear monoshock, dual flat seat configuration, 8-spoke alloy wheels, etc. Overall dimensions (L x W x H) stand at 2022mm x 790mm x 1442mm. Seat height is a decent 760mm.

      Electronics are controlled by Super soco’s very own BMOS V3.3 central control system.Other highlights include an extra-functional pillion grab handle (made of carbon steel), reverse mode, smartphone connectivity (via dedicated Super soco app), disc brakes at both ends, combi-braking system, single-sided swingarm, etc. The EV made its initial debut back at EICMA 2019 — the 2020 edition of which was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
      Motor, specs and performance
      Powering the 2020MY Super soco CPx is a 4kW (5.36bhp) electric motor good for a peak torque output of 171Nm (rated RPM: 750). The single or dual 2.7kWh setup is placed under the seats. In the highest 5.4kWh format, the scooter promises a range of nearly 140km on a full charge (if ridden at an average speed of 45km/h). It takes around 3-4 hours to charge the battery pack from empty to above 90 per cent juice. On the other hand, it can touch a top speed just under 90km/h.

      The EV rides on 100/80R16 and 110/80R14 tubeless radial tyres at the front and rear, respectively. Combined with the single-sided swingarm, the hub-mounted motor boasts of impressive conversion efficiency of 91 per cent. The setup supposedly allows for a tyre-change time of just five minutes. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Owner Takes A Road Trip – Shares Real World Drive Range

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      Electric Vehicles(EVs) are gradually gaining popularity in various automotive industries across the world
      However, with all the benefits EVs come with, there are many other requirements that need to be fulfilled beforehand. One of them is a proper battery disposal facility which is still missing in many markets and the other being a sufficient number of charging infrastructure. Developed countries where EVs have been adopted in large scales have added a charging infrastructure at almost every refuelling station in and outside the cities.

      In India, however, the case is different. Charging stations are as rare as the sight of a sparrow these days. While many private and government firms have joined hands for the development of related infrastructure in the recent past, it is still at a very nascent stage. Hopefully, in the near future, we get to see more charging stations come up to the ease of EV consumers.
      One of the main concerns out of lack of sufficient charging stations is the driving range of an EV on a single charge. While it is a given that the claimed range provided by the company is nowhere near the driving range, the question arises what is the real-world range of an EV and how much far can you travel on a single charge. We might have an answer to that here.

      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Currently, there are only not many EVs on sale in the passenger vehicle segment in India. The three popular ones are Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon EV. Here, we have an example of the Nexon EV being tested for its real-world driving range. The video uploaded by Hemank from ‘Northway MotorSport EV R&D’ on YouTube gives us an idea of what the real-world range of a Nexon EV would look like if driven in normal driving conditions. The creator is an EV enthusiast who had previously converted a Maruti 800 into an electrified car.
      Route of Journey
      The creator starts his journey from his place in Pune to Lonavala and then back for the return journey. The car has been driven for 418 km prior to this journey. The Nexon EV owner has made sure that he has charged his car to 100 percent before onsetting his trip. He makes sure he drives his electric car just like any other ICE (internal Combustion Engine) car.
      As its first impression, the creator mentions that the Nexon EV has a very well-balanced suspension, the car handling is smooth and the ride is comfortable as well. The Ac has been set on the 24-degree celsius mark. He then turns towards Lonavala joining the National Highway (NH)-4. During the course of his journey, he maintains the speed limit at every instance and follows the traffic laws diligently. Watch the full video below.

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      The first reading comes at 4.7 km of travel with consumption of 4 percent charge The second reading is taken at 29.5 km consuming 21 percent charge. Between city and highway, the distance covered was 16 km, which means the car drove 16 km in city driving conditions. The third reading is noted at 57.3 km near the destination after eating up 43 percent of the battery with the MID showing a 160 km still left.
      In between his journey, there was a heavy bout of rain therefore he had to slow down his car to avoid hydroplaning, more so because the Nexon EV is not equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP). In Lonavala, after completing 60.8 km of his journey, the driver stops at a refilling pump which is equipped with a charging station suggested by the app on his phone. However, he finds out that the charging apparatus is broken and had to leave without recharging his EV. At this point in time, he still had 46 percent of battery life left.

      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Nexon Electric owner also suggests to all those seeking to buy an EV in India and wishing to go on a road trip must always take note of the charging infrastructures present on the route to be covered otherwise it might leave you in a very tricky situation. This shows that our country still has a long way to go in fully adopting electric vehicles as their primary mobility option. He finally recharges his EV on arriving at a recharging station near Pune where he uses a fast charger. At first, the quick charger at Tata Motors dealership fails to charge the battery as it disconnects after charging from 22% to 30%. After a few more attempts, the owner manages to start the battery charging process successfully.
      Final Summary
      His total journey counted for 110 km after consuming 80 percent of the battery. The owner says that he would expect the Nexon Electric to have a real-world range of 140 to 150km on a single charge, as opposed to the claimed range of about 310km. Therefore, the real-world driving range turns out to be half of the claimed range. The Nexon EV is powered by Tata Motor’s Ziptron powertrain technology which is equipped with a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery. It is rated to give an output of 129 PS of power and 245 Nm of torque.
      Update – Hemank has now uploaded another range test video of Tata Nexon EV. The difference now is that the Nexon EV firmware has been updated. Hemank says that this has helped the real world mileage to improve slightly, and he now expect the real world mileage to be about 170-180 kms for a full charge. “While cruising at a speed of 80 kmph, the battery consumption is about 1% for 2 kms. If you cruise at 100 kmph, the battery consumption is about 1% for 1.2 kms,” adds Hemank in his video. More