Hyderabad: Home-grown manufacturer Versatile Auto Components Private Limited’s new V45 electric bike brings back memories of the two-wheelers of the 1990s, with a crucial difference. Powered by a battery which rests underneath your feet, the V45 is completely electric and environment friendly.
A battery indicator shows the charge available, similar to the indicator in your mobile phone. The V45 has two keys, one to start the vehicle and second for the battery. Once you unlock the vehicle, the instruction for use is pretty straight forward.
On the road, the V45 feels light and balanced. Given what it is meant to do — take you on short rides — its maximum speed is 25 kmph. Considering the city traffic, this thin vehicle can easily let you ‘filter’ between cars and buses. The pneumatic tyres make it feel like you are riding a bicycle.
If you ride half throttle the bike gives more mileage. At full throttle, it is “faster” but the mileage falls. It gives a feeling of riding a bicycle but without the need to peddle.
Considering its miniature size, parents may want to gift one to their kids to get used to the idea of riding two-wheelers. There is ample leg space, aided with a hook, to hang any bags. But if a bag is a bit larger, it may be easily drop off.
While the current version doesn’t have a swappable battery, the next version will include it based on the framework of the Telangana electric vehicle policy.
Ahead of electric vehicle policy launch, Mr Chandu Kumar Potti, CEO of Versatile Auto Components Private Limited, unveiled the indigenous short distance scooter and said, “In sharing autos people are often spilling out, which influenced me to make this electric vehicle which is affordable.”
“We have run this as a pilot project and manufactured about 10 vehicles. Another 100 vehicles will be made available in the next 30 days,” he said.
The vehicle is built at the TSIIC Industrial Park in Pashamylaram.
