I had two usages for a new bike: 1) take my 8-year-old son to pleasure drive every week-end, and 2) to make trips to shops in 2 - 3 km distance to buy supplies, pay bills, etc. Being a green lifestyle enthusiast, I did not want to go for a petrol bike.
I researched the 'Net and found that an e-byke called YoSmart was the bike that perfectly suited my need. I went for my first e-bike in July 2007. YOSmart, a slow speed bike, that is powered by 20 Ah battery pack and a 250W 48 Volt DC motor. It was running for 60+ km with single charge. It was a pleasure riding it. NO engine, so no engine sound, no vibration. You can even hear the sound of wind. My colleagues used to ask me "us ke horn ka to aavaz aata hai na? ke vo bhi silent hi hai?" Speed, up to 25 kmph, which is reaslly good speed for a lightweight two wheeler. Since it has 250W motor, no RTO registration and no license. Complete peace of mind.
Life was good.
After relocating from Indore to Vadodara, my requirements increased. In addition to take me and my son on weekly pleasure rides, I needed a vehicle to take me, my wife and son, for social visits once or twice a month. YOSmart is rated to carry load of 75 kg. So, it was out of picture. I was also sure that I shall be able to take this "triple savari" only for a year. After that, it would not be safe to go triple on a two wheeler - be it petrol or EV.
I decided to test ride another e-bike - YoStyle. Same 250W motor, but stronger chessis fit to carry 2 adults, smaller wheels, and 24 aH batteries (4 ah more than YOSmart). Though YoStyle was also rated for 75 kg, I knew that smaller wheels and more powerful batteries would easily take load of we three without difficulties for a year at least, which was my requirement. And we went for YoStyle.
So, by March 2010, we had two e-bikes in our family.
I again relocated to Ahmedabad by year end. Family was to join me later. My old YoSmart was with me at Ahmedabad. It was 3 years old, time had come to change its batteries, which I did.
By May 2011, family joined me, and we again had both our bikes at Ahmedabad. YoStyle was my companion to office and return. Once when it was heavy rain, I even had to take it through road having 1 foot deep water. I had my doubts, but to my surprise, it went in and also came out!! LIfe was fine with YoStyle with me and YoSmart with wife. After meeting with an accident on her Luna tens of years back, YoSmart gave her confidence to drive a two-wheeler again.
Unfortunately, in April 2012 batteries of YOStyle went dead. Why so early? Because of the charger. The charger did not stop charging even after batteries were fully charaged. It kept on happening which was harming batteries and finally batteries died. I learnt a lesson hard way. You should charge batteries for 1 hour for every 10 km of run. So, if I run 30 km, I should charge no longer than 3 hours. Don't wait for the charger to stop charging automatically.
Anyway, instead of spending Rs. 10000 on new batteries, I decided to use YOSmart's batteries with YOStyle, and exchange the YoSmart with new YoElectron. Technically, YOElectron is the same vehicle, but had some better features. In April 2011, we said bye to YOSmart and brought home the new YoElectron.
Life was back to normal. Now, wife was taking son to School, saving us over Rs. 1200 a month and giving an awesome e-ride to son, which he always liked to have.
Life is still normal with YoStyle, and YOElectron. Yes, soon, I shall change batteries of YoStyle, then of YOElectron, and we will be driving free of cost for next 2 years.
I researched the 'Net and found that an e-byke called YoSmart was the bike that perfectly suited my need. I went for my first e-bike in July 2007. YOSmart, a slow speed bike, that is powered by 20 Ah battery pack and a 250W 48 Volt DC motor. It was running for 60+ km with single charge. It was a pleasure riding it. NO engine, so no engine sound, no vibration. You can even hear the sound of wind. My colleagues used to ask me "us ke horn ka to aavaz aata hai na? ke vo bhi silent hi hai?" Speed, up to 25 kmph, which is reaslly good speed for a lightweight two wheeler. Since it has 250W motor, no RTO registration and no license. Complete peace of mind.
Life was good.
After relocating from Indore to Vadodara, my requirements increased. In addition to take me and my son on weekly pleasure rides, I needed a vehicle to take me, my wife and son, for social visits once or twice a month. YOSmart is rated to carry load of 75 kg. So, it was out of picture. I was also sure that I shall be able to take this "triple savari" only for a year. After that, it would not be safe to go triple on a two wheeler - be it petrol or EV.
I decided to test ride another e-bike - YoStyle. Same 250W motor, but stronger chessis fit to carry 2 adults, smaller wheels, and 24 aH batteries (4 ah more than YOSmart). Though YoStyle was also rated for 75 kg, I knew that smaller wheels and more powerful batteries would easily take load of we three without difficulties for a year at least, which was my requirement. And we went for YoStyle.
So, by March 2010, we had two e-bikes in our family.
I again relocated to Ahmedabad by year end. Family was to join me later. My old YoSmart was with me at Ahmedabad. It was 3 years old, time had come to change its batteries, which I did.
By May 2011, family joined me, and we again had both our bikes at Ahmedabad. YoStyle was my companion to office and return. Once when it was heavy rain, I even had to take it through road having 1 foot deep water. I had my doubts, but to my surprise, it went in and also came out!! LIfe was fine with YoStyle with me and YoSmart with wife. After meeting with an accident on her Luna tens of years back, YoSmart gave her confidence to drive a two-wheeler again.
Unfortunately, in April 2012 batteries of YOStyle went dead. Why so early? Because of the charger. The charger did not stop charging even after batteries were fully charaged. It kept on happening which was harming batteries and finally batteries died. I learnt a lesson hard way. You should charge batteries for 1 hour for every 10 km of run. So, if I run 30 km, I should charge no longer than 3 hours. Don't wait for the charger to stop charging automatically.
Anyway, instead of spending Rs. 10000 on new batteries, I decided to use YOSmart's batteries with YOStyle, and exchange the YoSmart with new YoElectron. Technically, YOElectron is the same vehicle, but had some better features. In April 2011, we said bye to YOSmart and brought home the new YoElectron.
Life was back to normal. Now, wife was taking son to School, saving us over Rs. 1200 a month and giving an awesome e-ride to son, which he always liked to have.
Life is still normal with YoStyle, and YOElectron. Yes, soon, I shall change batteries of YoStyle, then of YOElectron, and we will be driving free of cost for next 2 years.
