BGauss

A Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining your Electric Scooter’s Battery

BGauss · December 28, 2021 ·

One of the best things about owning an electric scooter is how little maintenance it requires. Unlike cars or even bikes, which require regular trips to the mechanic and routine replacement of parts, well-maintained electric scooters do not require tuning or grease and oil application before a ride. As a result, they’re ideal for short commutes and fun rides in and around the city. Since the battery is the heart and soul of an electric scooter, its improper care can cause significant damage. On the other hand, proper maintenance can extend your electric scooter’s lifespan by leaps and bounds.
So let’s have a look at a few ways to maintain your electric scooter’s battery during all types of weather conditions:

Battery maintenance in Summer
Extreme weather is the kryptonite of your battery. When lithium ion batteries are stored at temperatures above 45 degrees celsius, they begin to degrade. Below are a few tips to maintain your electric scooter’s battery during summer season.

After heavy use, when the batteries have become hot, you can ensure that the batteries are placed in a cool environment.
On a hot day after a long drive, you should remove the battery from the scooter and store it somewhere cool. Otherwise, the battery will remain at a high temperature for much longer, favoring the unfavorable chemical reactions that lead to capacity loss.

Battery maintenance in Monsoon
Irrespective of whether you decide to step out during the rains, it’s essential that you take utmost care of your electric scooter.

In the event of heavy rain, cover the dashboard of your electric scooter with transparent plastic to keep rainwater out. For added safety, the dashboards of both BGauss B8 and A2 have indicators for motor malfunction, faulty brakes, and controller failure.
You should also charge your electric scooter with extreme caution: The batteries on electric scooters are usually removable. It is always recommended to use the charger provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer. If used multiple times, any other charger may have an adverse effect on the battery performance and overall life of the electric scooter.
To avoid any damage while charging your electric scooter’s battery make sure the charging plug is firmly connected to the power source and is properly inserted in the socket. After that, carefully place the charger on the floor while it charges to provide firm support and avoid unnecessary damage. In the event of a thunderstorm, do not charge the battery of your electric scooter since it is extremely dangerous.
Usually a scooter rated IP54 is suitable for light rain or dusty terrain. While IP67 rated scooters can protect against heavy, constant rain and some immersion. Both BGauss B8 and A2 are IP67 rated scooters that make them extremely safe for use during monsoon.

Battery maintenance during Winter:
Unfortunately, some riders forget to charge their electric scooter battery because they assume they won’t be using it for a while. However, just like any other electronic device, you should keep your battery charged to prevent it from running out of power. But don’t charge it all the way to 100%. In fact, you should aim to charge it to between 50% and 90% of its original capacity since it is the best storage voltage for your battery and will cause the least amount of damage. Keeping all this in mind, we’ve ensured to have short circuit prevention and over current prevention for both BGauss B8 and A2.

Although charging your electric scooter’s battery properly during the fluctuating weather conditions would make a huge impact towards improving your electric scooter’s battery life, below are a few other tips you can keep in mind.

Don’t leave your battery charging unattended for long periods of time: You should disconnect the battery from the charging cable once it is fully charged. Both BGauss A2 and B8 come with overcharging and over discharging protection, leaving you at utmost ease.

Allow time for your scooter battery to cool before charging it: If you’ve been on a short ride, you can charge your scooter right away, but if you’ve been on a longer ride, the battery will have built up a lot of heat, which you should let dissipate before plugging it in. Allow 30 minutes for things to cool down before charging the scooter after a longer ride.

The battery on an electric scooter typically lasts between 2 and 3 years, or 300 to 500 full charge cycles, whichever comes first. After 200-300 charge cycles, the battery’s performance will begin to deteriorate. Your electric scooter battery will stay healthy and live a long time if you follow the proper charging guidelines. At BGauss, our team would always be happy to help regarding any clarification for battery and electric scooter maintenance or rather any doubts you may have. Switch to electric for a lifetime of happy and safe rides!

Easy Tips for Maintaining your Electric Scooter’s Battery in Winter

BGauss · December 28, 2021 ·

Electric scooters have become a popular mode of transportation while commuting to work, recreational spots, or even while running regular errands. We most definitely understand the thrill of riding your electric scooter in the cold, breezy weather amidst the luscious green trees. However, extreme low temperatures might be dangerous for both you and your electric scooter since they can slow down or stop the chemical reactions used to power your batteries, reducing their performance and capacity.

Moreover, if you don’t take care of your battery during the winter season, it will significantly reduce your range. For example, a battery can deliver 6 to 8 miles of range in warm or normal weather, whereas in cold weather, it can deliver only 2 to 3 miles. Long-term exposure to cold temperatures can permanently damage your battery.

To avoid the effects of low temperature on your electric scooter’s battery life, you can take the following steps:

Don’t overcharge when not in use:

Unfortunately, some riders forget to charge their electric scooter battery, assuming they won’t use it for a while. However, just like any other electronic device, you should keep your battery charged to keep its capacity from dwindling. We would recommend not charging it all the way up to 100%. In fact, aim to charge it between 50% and 90% of its original capacity which is an ideal storage voltage for your battery, as it will cause less damage. Both BGauss A2 and B8 come with overcharging protection, over discharging protection, over current prevention, temperature control, individual cell monitoring, cell equalization and short circuit prevention to help keep your mind at ease at all times.

When in use, charge it completely:

If you use your electric scooter on a regular basis during the cold season, make sure your battery is fully charged. Although charging your battery to 90% capacity will help it last longer, your battery will require more power to run when it’s cold due to the ice and extra slick roads.

Lower Tyre Pressure:

When you are riding during lower temperature, ideal tyre pressure is of utmost importance, hence you need to make sure your scooter tyres have the right amount of tread. Both, BGauss B8 and A2 have front and back tubeless tyres which can be better ridden at lower pressure as compared to tubed ones. Moreover, tubeless tyres are generally better for extreme weather conditions and all kinds of terrain as they offer better grip and avoid flat tyres as compared to tube ones.

Keep it in a safe place:

Whether you plan to use your electric scooter tomorrow or leave it for a while, you must store the battery in the proper temperature range. It’s also a good idea to check your unit’s specifications because each one has a different ideal temperature. Keeping your battery in a place with stable and non-extreme temperatures will help your electric scooter perform better over time. These guidelines are not just limited to your electric scooter’s battery but also your electric vehicle itself. It would be best to avoid parking your e-scooter outside on the road since extreme temperatures can negatively affect your electric scooter’s battery life. Instead, always park your scooter in the shade and never in direct sunlight.

Clean it once in a while:

Finally, even if you are not going to use your electric scooter for a while, make sure to clean it, particularly the battery. Even though BGauss has an anti-dust and water resistant battery, it needs deep cleaning once in a while. Leaving dirt or corrosion on your electric scooter battery can reduce its capacity and lifespan. Similarly, allowing dust to accumulate on your electric scooter can cause problems with its other components. It can be cleaned by dusting it or wiping it down with a damp cloth.

Is it possible to ride electric scooters in the winter? Yes, you certainly can. You can get the most out of your scooter if you take care of it and plan ahead. If you’re looking for a high performance electric scooter that is suitable for lower temperature and extreme weather conditions, BGauss is the right choice with its IP67 rated battery, tech savvy and user friendly features. Browse through the range of electric scooters available on our website to find the best fit for you!

Top 3 Reasons Why Driving An Electric Scooter In Bengaluru Is Affordable

BGauss Sense in the City · June 23, 2021 ·

Bengaluru has been hailed as the Silicon Valley of India ever since the state capital grew into a well-known IT hub and attracted some of the world’s major technology-based companies and MNCs. It is home to many startups and Indian tech companies as well. On the flip side of this economic boom that it has witnessed in the last few years, it has become synonymous with traffic jams, unavoidable bottlenecks, and air pollution. People spend more time stuck on the road, rather than at work, home or anywhere else! In addition to that, the average Air Quality Index in Bengaluru is between Good and Poor. Poor AQI can have hazardous health implications over time and may also affect other forms of life which are essential to the ecosystem. One solution to beat all of these? Electric Vehicles, or more specifically, electric scooters.

Electric scooters fall under the broader umbrella of Electric Vehicles or EVs and are two-wheelers that come with a rechargeable battery fitted in. Unlike the traditional motorbike, an electric two-wheeler has motors that contribute partially or entirely to the movement of bicycles. The power of the engine usually ranges from 150W to 1000W.

The most significant contributing factor towards the tremendous popularity of e-scooters is that they are pro-environment and help cut down the emission of toxic greenhouse gases such as CO2. Every time a person uses an electric bike or any other electric vehicle, they’re doing their bit towards protecting the planet!

Many people continue to be sceptical of buying an electric scooter due to the initial purchase price, but this is a one-time investment and undoubtedly a wise one. Over time, owning and maintaining an electric scooter is cheaper than the cost of a fuel-powered scooter. And in an urbanized city like Bengaluru, fuel prices are constantly on the rise. With that, let’s look at the top three reasons for driving an electric scooter in Bengaluru and why it’s relatively affordable.

Negligible per KM cost: With a population of 12.7 Million in Bengaluru city, commuting for various reasons like work, school, college, or leisure purposes has given rise to a traffic jam problem. On average, people here spend about 243 hours in traffic in a year, and your situation only gets worse if you are in a car. The average distance from your home to your residence in Bengaluru is between 10 to 15Kms. To make matters worse, fuel prices are skyrocketing. It only goes upwards every day, which affects our pretty penny. This is where electric scooters come in handy. They are easier to navigate through traffic and take up only one to three units of electricity per charge (approx Rs 10 per unit of electricity). Even high-end two-wheelers don’t consume more than 3.5 units per charge, so that you won’t be shelling more than Rs 30-35 per charge. This is a phenomenal difference as compared to ICE vehicles.
Low maintenance costs: You no longer need to fret about maintaining your scooter. Thanks to the electric motor, you do not need to spend extra money or time on cumbersome tasks such as oil change, filters, and fuel, which would otherwise be mandatory with traditional two-wheelers. Since the number of moving parts in an e-scooter is a maximum of 10%, as opposed to that in an ICE scooter, the maintenance cost goes down tremendously. This plays a crucial role in enabling premium electric scooter manufacturers such as BGauss to ensure that their riders save up to Rs. 75,000 over three years (Assuming daily run is 30km, mileage of petrol scooter is 40 km and petrol price 100 per litre), merely eliminating expenditure made on fuel and maintenance. More the travel more the savings.
Tax benefits and concessions made by the Karnataka government: Something people forget to account for is the state government’s initiative to educate and encourage the citizens to transition towards electric transport. They have been introducing many policies to attract revenue and workforce for both the demand and supply of electric vehicles and provide plenty of opportunities for developing R&D in electric mobility. The tech-savvy Karnataka government has set up 112 charging stations in Bengaluru for electric vehicles (EV) and encourages citizens to switch over from fuel-based automobiles. Of course, some electric scooter companies, including BGauss, fit their scooters with portable, detachable batteries that can be charged anywhere and don’t necessarily depend on charging stations or other such infrastructure. Karnataka was the first to develop an EV policy and has continued to incentivise purchases with tax rebates, scrapping and exchanging policies for switching to EVs and many such exemptions.

Considering all the factors like the cost of fuel, convenience of travel, safety, and the planet, going electric is the solution to most of your travel problems. When it comes down to the market offerings in this space, BGauss is one of the most popular brands of electric scooters in India. The company’s flagship scooters are fashionably functional with their sassy looks, unique shape and stylish cluster design. They can go up to a speed of 50Km/hr, which is ideal for riding around the city. They come with 2 battery options; Lead Acid battery is fixed to the bike, taking about 7-8 hours to charge fully. Their Lithium-ion battery which is a removable battery can be charged anywhere and takes about 2.5 to 4.5 hours to charge fully. Once the scooter is completely charged, it can travel a distance of 70 – 75kms; This is more than sufficient for both legs of your daily commute and can even make for an excellent long-distance trip within the city!

As for their growing presence in the city in question, Bengaluru has two BGauss showrooms located at Rajajinagar and Banashankari. Click on the link to help you get there and get a better look at these contemporary e-scooters if you’re interested in owning one:

Find the BGauss Store Near You

The affordable and advanced nature of the BGauss e-scooters, coupled with the government’s support and initiatives, makes it easier for us to transition from an ICE to an EV vehicle, particularly electric scooters. Let us not just be citizens of this state; let us unite to be sensitive and supportive citizens of the state. Let us not just live on the planet but also live to give back to the earth. With BGauss, we can help you do it in style!

Book a free test drive of your favourite BGauss Electric Scooter from your nearest dealership store, right now!

Electric Scooters In India – Beyond Trends And Fashion

BGauss Sense in the City · June 23, 2021 ·

Sustainable living is the solution to our health and wealth problems. Indeed, this isn’t the first time you hear that and definitely won’t be the last. But what begets this conclusion?

Every year the air pollution caused by fossil fuel increases the risk of health diseases while also taking millions of lives and adversely impacting several others. The bad news is that a significant percentage of this fuel consumption can be attributed to vehicles alone. The good news is that we have a solution to this problem: to move to more renewable energy sources by phasing out vehicles that run on fossil fuel and introducing electric means of transport.

Let us look at some stats to support our argument further. India is estimated to bear 10.7 lakh crore (US$150 billion), or 5.4% of India’s GDP annually, the third-highest costs from fossil fuel air pollution worldwide. The analysis also suggests that an estimated one million deaths each year and approx. 980,000 estimated preterm births, equating to an annual economic loss of 10.7 lakh crore (US$150 billion), is attributed to air pollution from fossil fuel in India.

Let these numbers encourage you and not scare you as the time to make change is now!

Who thought that our cars and bikes would run on electrically charged batteries? Yet, here they are! The transition is significant and has been a friend to the environment whilst being a friend to our pockets. Let us understand this in more detail.

Two Wheelers account for 74% of the total vehicles on the road in India. Hence two-wheeler transition to electric technology can contribute tremendously towards a greener environment. Over 3 years, the fuel cost for a petrol-powered scooter becomes equivalent to the cost of your electric scooter, which indirectly means that your electric scooter is free of charge. Fuel-powered scooters have more moving parts like a mechanical internal combustion engine and the other components, which means more maintenance, which adds higher costs. On the other hand, an electric scooter does not have as many moving parts, ultimately bringing down maintenance costs.

The use of electric scooters has been in India for a while but has popularized in recent times, owing to the rise of air pollution. The Air Quality Index is between poor to bad in top metro cities in India, which is also the country’s most populated areas. This gives rise to illness caused due to air pollution like asthma, infections and lung diseases. Awareness of such issues has paved the way for the rise of electric scooters.

Major Brands have taken the initiative to research and innovate technology to introduce high-tech, clean and affordable e-scooters. The stylish designs and modern technological concepts primarily fancy the younger population of the country. One such brand is BGauss, a premium yet affordable brand of electric scooters in India which offers fluid design, low maintenance and great power. BGauss gives you the option to choose between a high-speed variant, the B8 model or the low-speed A2 one.

BGauss electric scooters are not only a form of sustainable transport but also a style statement in themselves. Available in four colours (Silk Red, Sparkling Blue, Nebula Grey, Pearl White), the BGauss B8 has a 360-degree chrome finish, multi-colour digital display, designer LED projector lamps, giving you clear visibility in day and night. Similarly, BGauss A2 is equipped with a digital dashboard, powerful taillights with integrated indicators and a 20-litre boot space. The scooters are coated with extra gloss paint, which provides UV protection, allowing for more extended life.

The battery life of e-scooters may raise a few eyebrows. BGauss offers two options when it comes to powering your electric scooter; the lithium battery and the lead-acid battery. Each battery is backed up by a 3-year (lithium-ion battery) and 1-year warranty (lead-acid battery). Not only that, but the lithium battery is removable, allowing you to charge it anywhere with a standard outlet. Both these batteries are water and dust resistant, which ensures your peace of mind about their maintenance. And last but not least, BGauss e-scooters are equipped with advanced tech-based safety features such as over-charging protection, over-discharging protection, short circuit prevention, temperature control, cell equalization, voltage equalization and battery logs, which ensure that your battery is in optimal condition for use. Now we see your nod of approval!

From being mindful about how our lifestyle impacts the environment, one can make positive changes towards a better future. Our choices on what we wear, eat and commute, collectively impact the environment, and being mindful about our lifestyle can help save the planet. Electric scooters indeed form an integral part of a conscious lifestyle and are the key to a better future. They not only help us reduce our carbon footprint but also conserve fossil fuels for future generations. To understand the implications of our current actions on the health of the planet, including our own, we must use the technology at hand to improve the quality of our ecosystem. With BGauss scooters, you are not just becoming an integral part of this change, but you are doing this with style!

Electric Scooters- Market’s Challenges And Perspectives

BGauss Sense in the City · June 22, 2021 ·

The electric scooter market in India is expanding because of micro-mobility, a category of transportation that gained much recognition during the peak of our battle against the coronavirus. In a country whose population more or less survives on public transport, the pandemic has continued to shine a bright light on micro-mobility vehicles and the flexibility and safety that come with them. As we slowly reopen our economy and get back on our feet, the demand for electric scooters, bikes and rentals is more than ever and implies a significant impact on the automobile market. Populous countries like India are focusing on shifting their focus from mass-market offerings to advanced ones that benefit consumers and manufacturers alike.

Another important driver contributing to the growth and adoption of EVs, especially scooters and motorcycles, is the growing awareness of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Electric vehicles have the potential to reduce dependence on crude oil, and thereby lower the negative ecological impact caused as a result. The emissions produced by green vehicles are not harmful to human health, so embracing green transportation will only enhance an individual’s lifestyle and improve the overall quality of human life.

One other aspect that is starting to find an important place in the transportation landscape, is that of urban mobility. Urban mobility goes beyond basic commuting and includes the possibility of transport facilitating wide and timely access to education, culture, employment and leisure in a safe, swift, environmentally friendly and affordable manner. This is what makes electric scooters especially ideal for urban and semi-urban settings, where micro-mobility and urban mobility go hand in hand. Moreover, the reports support this claim by suggesting that the journeys made via vehicles for less than five kilometres are usually private.

The rate of urbanization, supporting infrastructure and government policies have collectively managed to persuade many areas into embracing micro-mobility and electric scooters, in turn bringing down ecological damage and road congestion. However, like everything else, there’s a flipside to this narrative too, and it is important to identify any challenges involved in the proliferation of electric scooters in India.

Besides the cost factor, here are two of the main reasons why the masses have shown hesitation towards the adoption of electric vehicles in general:

Range anxiety: Even after an electric scooter’s battery is fully charged, its range is limited to 100 or 150 kilometres. Many electric scooters range is even shorter. This presents a challenge as electric scooters are competing against scooters that run on petrol. A scooter that runs on petrol has unlimited range because petrol stations are found everywhere. However, this can be tackled by using detachable portable batteries, like the ones you would find in all BGauss e-scooter models, that can be charged anywhere and don’t depend on extensive charging infrastructure or charging stations. Swappable battery packs are another solution to this problem.
Consumer perception of early adopters: Many early adopters who wanted to own electric scooters, back in 2015 or so, ended up investing in poor quality Chinese vehicles whose make and overall quality was less than satisfactory. For this reason, some even today do not feel comfortable using electric scooters despite the technology inside them has developed considerably. Thankfully, the newest electric scooters are winning consumers over as they’re locally manufactured, assembled and tested. Moreover, they’re designed to suit local tastes and preferences. Indian-origin brand BGauss, for instance, comes from the parent group RR Global who are veterans in electrical solutions and have 13 local manufacturing facilities, and a production setup spanning over 1 million sq.ft. The brand aims to deliver premium yet affordable products that are powered by technology and innovation.

While the reasons above were from a consumer standpoint, there are some additional challenges faced by the manufacturers of these electric scooters.

Fleet renewal and reusability

Ride-sharing platforms are also to introduce electric scooters in the Indian market. However, the introduction will also cause fleet renewal problems. While replacing the existing electric scooters with new ones, there need to be abundant scrapping or replacement policies that eliminate a majority of the expenses with respect to replacing fuel-dependent vehicles. One such measure by the government includes the Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (VVMP) or “Vehicle Scrapping Policy” which is aimed at creating an Eco-System for phasing out Unfit and Polluting Vehicles”, by incentivizing it for manufacturers and owners.

High dependence on imports

The key components of electric two-wheelers such as the battery, motor, controllers, etc. along with battery components such as Lithium, permanent magnets, cobalt are being imported to India. Hence, there is a concern relating to the import dependence, given that approximately 50% of the critical components are presently being imported into the country for production. However, a few large companies such as Panasonic, are exploring setting up a Li-ion battery module unit in India.

Recycling and end-of-life management of batteries

The rapid adoption of EVs also means an increase in the consumption of lithium-ion batteries and the subsequent rise in the number of spent batteries that would require environmentally sound end-of-life handling. Once they begin losing their capacity, EV batteries can be managed in two ways: they can be repurposed for secondary applications or they can be sent for recycling directly and metals can be recovered from them using technology, industry experts explained. Therefore, a proper e-waste management system needs to be put in place for the correct disposal or upcycling of battery components.

The takeaway from this piece is that one cannot deny that the electric scooter market in India is expanding. However, it is prone to its fair share of challenges, ones that can be overcome with the collective cooperation of manufacturers, consumers and the government. This way, we can together push the cause further and ensure that electric scooters aren’t a short-term fad but the long term mobility solution that’s waiting to happen!