The cost of commutation is getting out of reach for an average person, thanks to the recent hike in fuel prices. However, there is an affordable and climate-friendly solution.
You might have guessed by now, that we are talking about electric bikes or scooters. There is still plenty of room for electric bikes in Pakistan as they are gradually gaining popularity in the country.
There are more than five brands offering bikes in this category, however, you still have to hassle and wait for it until it gets fully charged. Still very economical, but it is not hassle-free.
So what would be the suitable alternative that is climate-friendly and at the same time hassle-free just like a normal petrol or diesel-run vehicle?
Meet the Taiwanese electric scooter Gogoro, which is at the same time climate-friendly, but also keeps you free from changing hassles thanks to its swappable batteries.
So now you might be wondering how it will work, and you may have to carry additional batteries or most importantly is it available in Pakistan?
Not at the moment. There is no time frame for whether it is coming to Pakistan or not. It is available in India, where the company is also planning to place battery replacement centres in Maharashtra starting in 2023.
Moreover, the company is also looking to expand its infrastructure to Indonesia after halting the process in China due to ongoing political differences.
Gogoro, known for its green-hued battery swap distribution network for riders, has ambitious plans, seeing the potential to replace vast fleets of heavily polluting, gasoline-powered scooters with electric two-wheelers as Asia’s metropolises bid to improve air quality. This may work for Pakistan as well.
Gogoro is a 125cc scooter and it comes with two batteries, installed under the seat. It can go up to 170km on a single charge, this is what the company claims, with a maximum speed of 90km/h and it can go 0 to 50 km/h in just 4.2 seconds.
Despite all of that, it retains the two seating capacities and additionally it also has a trunk, where you can store two helmets or whatever you want.
For safety, it comes with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and its’ Euro-specked wheels and tires give you a smooth ride.
Moreover, it fully incorporates all modern technological features, like a smart colorful digital dash, multiple sensors, and other basic information, to help improve your riding pleasure. Apart from that, built-in finger-scanner and digital encryption keep it secure.
