The high costs associated with the maintenance of a car resulted in many people who until now had not thought of another means of transportation for daily use, change their minds. Thus, the bikes were gaining ground.
Between 2010 and 2017 - which was a record sales with 688,000 units - the increase was almost 40%. Although the total number of patents between the end of last year and the first half of 2019 fell -as is the case in the automotive market-, the supply of motor vehicles, scooters and mopeds is becoming increasingly varied.
This increase was also given by some changes in the conventional market:
- Many brands returned in 2015 due to the import lock
- New ones added (Augusta, Royal Enfield, Indian, BMW Motorad)
- The supply of larger displacement models increased (those that dominate the market are always the smallest)
- And finally, the electric began to appear
These models, powered by batteries instead of combustion engines, are gaining ground thanks to the greater variety of products and, in particular, to a key issue: the need for more people to reduce their monthly expenses. More precisely, those from Monday to Friday, such as gasoline, vehicle maintenance and rental of a garage.
Omar García, vice president of Lucky Lion, a company that in 2007 was the first to market 100% electric units in Argentina, says: "8 years ago, customers entering a dealership did not know what a motorcycle of this type was. Long explanation, the auction was: 'Where is the gasoline tank?' The concept was not understood. "
Today, the situation is diametrically opposite: "That does not happen anymore. The buyer knows what it is and enters the premises with the decision taken and the model he likes."
Lucky Lion is currently the only brand with an official network across the country, with 25 dealers and eight different models. "Until today we have sold 14,000 units," explains the manager, adding that the pace of sales has been growing steadily in recent times.
The company is characterized by assembling the motorcycles it sells in the country, although most of the parts are imported, since there is no local production at scale.
"In 2007 we went to visit different markets with the idea of having electric motorcycles. The issue was still not discussed in Argentina, it was very far away. We chose where to buy and we started to assemble the products in a local factory. We were changing and improving. Today, we even sell products with European certification, "says García.
The change in supply and demand is not the only thing that evolved in the country. Progress was also made in the times of approval, a process that initially took several years.
"In 2008 we turned to INTI and they did not know how to define these models. For example, the items of displacement and power remain empty, so it was always a problem and the approval was not easily reached," reveals the executive.
Only this year the system began to update. As independent importers point out to iProUP, today the response of the specialized approval agencies is considerably faster.
On the other hand, the obstacle to overcome is the commercialization in each province and city, another aspect that until now delayed the entry of electric motorcycles in a massive way. Since they do not belong to a specific category of vehicles, each municipality is required to regulate the traffic, because having a different propulsion system they need a special authorization.
"Regulations must be made with special wafers in each city, and according to that we are also extending the sales radius. That depends in part on our growth," explained from Lucky Lion.
The products
Emuv and Zanella are, together with Lucky Lion, the brands that can be chosen in the local market. The first is the company with the greatest variety of models, among which there are eight options with values ranging from USD1,400 to USD2,090. They offer an average autonomy of 40 kilometers and the recharging is done in a conventional plug in a time of three hours, if it is lithium, or 8 if it is lead acid.
This aspect is key to determine the value of the motorcycle, because if equipped with the fastest option it becomes more expensive, although it offers greater autonomy and weighs less, making driving more efficient.
Another important fact is that lead acid batteries must be replaced after a year and a half of use, and their price ranges from US $ 330 to US $ 415.
Regarding Lucky Lion models, its range is composed of the new Abstract and Abstract Lithium; Dinamic, Diamont Lithium, Diamond; Italian, King and New Tri.
All are equipped with a Brushless motor of 800 watts and 1200 watts, with a voltage of 48v to 72v.
Being electric vehicles, all units have an external charger specially designed for the battery pack.
As explained by the company, it is a smart charger. This means that it automatically detects the load they have and manages when to deliver power and when not.
In this sense, they argue that one of the advantages most valued by customers is the economy of their recharge, which implies, in broad strokes, to initially invest in the vehicle and then not have higher expenses.
For example:
- To charge the entire battery, which allows to travel 35 kilometers, an average of $ 3.2 is spent (measurement in a household that consumes between 200-400 kW per month with an average value of $ 3.70 per kW.)
- While opting for a vehicle powered by super naphtha (considering an average of $ 48 per liter and a consumption of 8 liters per 100 kilometers), the cost to make the same distance will be $ 210.
If these figures become monthly, $ 77 will be allocated on the motorcycle while $ 5,040 will be required on a shipper to complete those 35km per day.
Meanwhile, if a greater distance is traveled, for example 100km average per day, the figures are $ 220 $ 11,500 respectively (electric motorcycle vs car).
Turning to the Emuv models, the firm offers the Miku ($ 118,000) and Grace (from $ 72,000 to $ 94,000) units. In addition, it has other proposals -Ibiza and Ibiza Choper- and in a few months they will add two new scooters.
The firm uses gel batteries, a little cheaper, and lithium, which are the most effective. In the case of Miku, its autonomy is 60 km and reaches a maximum speed of 45 km / h. The battery recharges in 4 hours.
Grace, on the other hand, reaches a maximum of 50 km / h and the autonomy reaches 60 km.
Some of the special features to highlight of these models are the inclusion of USB ports for cell phone recharge, cruise control and the inclusion of burglar alarms.
The company is also a representative of Ecooter, an international brand specialized in high-end electric motorcycles. These scooters stand out for their greater equipment, with dashboard and digital LED speedometer with two driving modes. They even add remote lock and unlock via App.
Zanella, the traditional motorcycle company, also joined the electricity market with the e-Styler. This model has a voltage of 48v and a Lithium Ion battery that allows to travel up to 30 km with a maximum speed of 40 km / h.
According to the company, it is a product that is just being tested in the market and that has not yet transcended over the conventional models of the brand.
Advantages and disadvantages
With these characteristics, electric motorcycles slowly begin to add followers. There is a long way to go, but they have a good chance of being protagonists by being more accessible than cars and proposing affordable prices.
Its positioning in the country, according to importers, will grow along with a trend that has been manifesting for a long time: more and more users are choosing new forms of urban mobility due to the higher cost of gasoline, vehicle saturation and parking delays
The client also diversifies. "The public that buys these models are between 25 and 45 years old, the majority are men, but everything is changing and now more women are adding to this trend. A great advantage is that they are very easy to handle, in addition to saving a lot money, "adds Garcia.
Saving on electric recharge versus gasoline, of course, is key. In addition, electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than traditional vehicles. In these cases, it is only recommended to check the front suspension, the vehicle chassis and the engraving of wheel slots.
Also, as part of the controls, it is necessary to check if the horn works correctly (it is useful considering that the electric motor does not emit sound) and it must be taken into account that, even if the unit is not used for a long time, the load It should be done every 15 days to maintain battery life.
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