Leave fuel and save money: electric motorcycles, another option on the market

In recent days, an important highlight has been given to electric mobility and the use of vehicles powered by electricity as an alternative to leave behind those powered by fossil fuel.

As well as electric vehicles, there are also electric motorcycles on the market, which are gaining more and more notoriety and manage to carve out a space in the public’s preference.

One of those who ventured into this segment was Günter Krone, a renowned cybersecurity consultant, who recently acquired a Yadea brand scooter. It has a range of 50 km and a maximum speed of up to 50 km/h. Its charging time averages between 7 and 8 hours.

First day at the office on an electric motorcycle just like @OxiliaVictorio only on a modest Scooter @YadeaGlobal S-LIKE, average speed 45 km/h, I left with a full charge and it continues to show a full battery, 14 km traveled… pic.twitter.com/YG1hBaHgMh

— Gunter Krone (@Godcito) March 21, 2022

Through his Twitter account, he commented on the experience of using this modern bicycle and mentioned that, after traveling 14 kilometers, his marker continued with a full battery, which confirms the low consumption he had on his journey.

Another of those who also shared his experience was Professor Victorio Oxilia Dávalos, PhD in Energy, Professor of Energy and Environment and researcher at the Polytechnic Faculty of the National University of Asunción (FP-UNA) and part of the Research Center in Natural Resources and Energy (GISE/GITV).

In his particular case, the motorcycle he bought is a Super Soco model TC. During his first month of use, he said he saved approximately G. 475,000 after doing 550 km of real travel. The consumption in battery recharging was barely G. 8,250 Gs in the ANDE bill, he explained in his publication.

SAVINGS (energy expenditure) with an ELECTRIC motorcycle in the first month of use in the city: 475,000 Gs, 550 km of actual travel, compared with a conventional gasoline car. pic.twitter.com/w3mrFwBAbA

– Victorio Oxilia Dávalos (@OxiliaVictorio) March 14, 2022

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

In an interview with HOY, Dávalos highlights the advantages of electromobility and mentions that, unlike a conventional motorcycle, the electric motorcycle has a silent motor, does not require an oil, motor or filter change, in addition to low maintenance.

Another important aspect is the low cost of energy expenditure (the electric motor is four times more efficient than a combustion engine and electricity is very cheap in Paraguay, he emphasizes).

Among some of its disadvantages, it indicates that the maximum speed that can be reached is around 80 km/h, in addition that the autonomy is linked to the capacity of the battery (there are autonomy from 40 to 120 km). Also, the charging time is slow, since it is usually between 5 to 6 hours for a full charge).

OFFER IN THE LOCAL MARKET

In several stores in Asunción there are offers of scooters and electric motorcycles. The teacher and researcher explains that, in scooters, the batteries are generally located under the seat and work with a lead acid and lithium ion battery.

In the case of motorcycles, the ones he could find in the local market work with lithium ion batteries. They have greater capacity as they are a larger model with greater power.

COSTS

The average cost of an electric motorcycle varies between 1,100 to 5,000 dollars according to the brand and model. Scooters (such as the one Günter Krone purchased) are often cheaper due to their size and battery type. In contrast, vehicles with lithium-ion batteries are more expensive.

CAPACITY, CONSUMPTION AND AUTONOMY

Dávalos mentions that to travel 100 kilometers he needs a total charge of 3kWh from the electricity grid. This represents a cost of almost G. 1,500 of charge in the ANDE bill for electricity consumption.

Each fully charged battery has a safe range of 55 km (without full discharge). The motorcycle that Dávalos uses allows him to carry two fully charged batteries, which helps double the autonomy (110 to 120 km).

COMPARISON BETWEEN ELECTRICITY AND FUEL

If a comparison is made between an electric motorcycle with a 2.5 kW motor and a combustion motorcycle with a consumption of 3 liters of gasoline per 100 km, the values ​​would be G. 14,500 (for the electric version) against G. 25,000.

In a month and having traveled 1,500 kilometers, the savings would be in the order of G. 150,000, details Dávalos when making the calculations.

On the other hand, if the comparison is made with a combustion vehicle, the total savings can reach more than G. 1,000,000 per month, for a 100% replacement and a distance of 1,500 kilometers, which is difficult to achieve, he added.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRIC MOBILITY

This UNA professor and researcher highlights the importance of electric mobility since we are using “clean electric energy, which is ours, and that we give it to Brazil and Argentina with ridiculous benefits for our country”, at the same time that we are importing high-cost petroleum fuels.

The technology of motorcycles and electric vehicles in general does not generate air pollution during their journey, since they do not emit greenhouse gases or polluting gases, so they add a great benefit to the environment.