<p>Though not as popular as their petrol-driven counterparts, they are slowly finding a way into the homes of many Bangaloreans. <br /><br />Owners of eco-friendly cars and bikes need not even bother about the rising petrol prices as all they need to do is charge these vehicles’ batteries. <br /><br />Besides, they can contribute towards saving the environment in their own way. <br />Metrolife speaks to a few owners of such battery-powered vehicles and finds out what attracts them to these little wonders. <br /><br />Shashank Kekre, a businessman, owns a Reva for over three years now, and enjoys riding it in the City.<br /><br /> “First of all it’s eco-friendly and secondly, it’s easy to manoeuvre a small vehicle on the traffic-ridden roads of Bangalore,” he notes. “It’s economical as well as today’s petrol prices are rising like anything.”<br /><br />He informs that once charged, the vehicle runs for a distance of 40 to 50 kilometres before it needs to be put for charge again. <br /><br />“An eco-friendly vehicle also serves as a great second vehicle for a big family. Otherwise, if the family is small, one can even opt for it as the first vehicle.” <br /><br />The only limitation, according to Shashank, is, “you have to plan your travel since the vehicle is not meant for long distances.”<br /><br />An eco-friendly vehicle is great for ladies as well. Shashank’s wife, Kavita, vouches for the same. <br /><br />“There is no problem with parking, there is no pollution or sound as well. You don’t even have to do an emission test. It’s extremely convenient.”<br /><br />N K Jain, the owner of Youth Bikes, a company dealing with eco-friendly bikes in Rajajinagar, feels that battery bikes are slowly gaining popularity. <br /><br />“As the petrol price is rising, the bike is becoming popular,” he says. “Many customers do come and enquire but they don’t have enough confidence in the eco-friendly bikes to buy one.”<br /><br /> According to him, if the Karnataka Government gave a 15 per cent subsidy in eco-friendly bikes like the Delhi Government, the sales would increase. <br /><br />“Besides, no bank lends loans for these bikes as they require no registration or <br />licence. So many a time, people want to purchase the bike on a loan but are unable to,” he informs. <br /><br />Listing out the advantages of an eco-friendly bike, he says, “Since one can’t go fast on it, it’s ideal for housewives, handicapped people and senior citizens.”<br /><br /> He adds, “The bikes should be promoted just as the Reva has been promoted. Just imagine spending only Rs 100 per month, at the most on your vehicle!”</p>
<p>Though not as popular as their petrol-driven counterparts, they are slowly finding a way into the homes of many Bangaloreans. <br /><br />Owners of eco-friendly cars and bikes need not even bother about the rising petrol prices as all they need to do is charge these vehicles’ batteries. <br /><br />Besides, they can contribute towards saving the environment in their own way. <br />Metrolife speaks to a few owners of such battery-powered vehicles and finds out what attracts them to these little wonders. <br /><br />Shashank Kekre, a businessman, owns a Reva for over three years now, and enjoys riding it in the City.<br /><br /> “First of all it’s eco-friendly and secondly, it’s easy to manoeuvre a small vehicle on the traffic-ridden roads of Bangalore,” he notes. “It’s economical as well as today’s petrol prices are rising like anything.”<br /><br />He informs that once charged, the vehicle runs for a distance of 40 to 50 kilometres before it needs to be put for charge again. <br /><br />“An eco-friendly vehicle also serves as a great second vehicle for a big family. Otherwise, if the family is small, one can even opt for it as the first vehicle.” <br /><br />The only limitation, according to Shashank, is, “you have to plan your travel since the vehicle is not meant for long distances.”<br /><br />An eco-friendly vehicle is great for ladies as well. Shashank’s wife, Kavita, vouches for the same. <br /><br />“There is no problem with parking, there is no pollution or sound as well. You don’t even have to do an emission test. It’s extremely convenient.”<br /><br />N K Jain, the owner of Youth Bikes, a company dealing with eco-friendly bikes in Rajajinagar, feels that battery bikes are slowly gaining popularity. <br /><br />“As the petrol price is rising, the bike is becoming popular,” he says. “Many customers do come and enquire but they don’t have enough confidence in the eco-friendly bikes to buy one.”<br /><br /> According to him, if the Karnataka Government gave a 15 per cent subsidy in eco-friendly bikes like the Delhi Government, the sales would increase. <br /><br />“Besides, no bank lends loans for these bikes as they require no registration or <br />licence. So many a time, people want to purchase the bike on a loan but are unable to,” he informs. <br /><br />Listing out the advantages of an eco-friendly bike, he says, “Since one can’t go fast on it, it’s ideal for housewives, handicapped people and senior citizens.”<br /><br /> He adds, “The bikes should be promoted just as the Reva has been promoted. Just imagine spending only Rs 100 per month, at the most on your vehicle!”</p>
