Business

Slowdown fails to decelerate e-bikes

KOCHI: As the economy is on a deceleration mode, the road appears uneven for the automobile segment.

With the government maintaining status quo on the fuel pricing front despite a fall in the international scene, the prospects of a fast recovery seems bleak. But the situation has not been able to change the direction of a new generation of electric two-wheelers, called e-bikes.

The e-bikes continue to maintain a forward movement in a market ruled by uncertainty. “There is a steady demand for e-bikes,” says Priju Srinivasan, Territory Manager of Yobykes, an electric two-wheeler company. The company has dealerships in Kochi, Kannur, Thrissur, Perinthalmanna, Thiruvalla and Kayamkulam.

It is planning to open more outlets across the State.

On an average, about 20-25 bikes are sold every month at the Edapally outlet.

Around 100 bikes are sold monthly across Kerala. This is pretty good for a new concept which has not yet penetrated into the minds of the masses, he points out.

The trend is all set to make headway in the days ahead. And, Mr. Srinivasan is hopeful that the e-bikes will overtake the petroleum-driven ones in the near future.

The signs are there for the keen watchers of the automobile scene. Hero and Ultra are two other brands available in the market.

The going is good for these brands too, according to the dealers.

About 40-50 bikes are sold every month, says a dealer of Hero e-bikes in Kochi. Murugappais set to launch its e-bikes in Kerala shortly.

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