As of 20 December 2019, 128 Revolt motorcycles have been delivered in Pune. Most of them being the RV 400. Most customers seem to be using their bikes in top gear. The real life range is turning out to be something like 70 kilometers. The Revolt team still believes that you get 140 kilometer range, when you're using it in the limited speed mode. How many customers would want to go for this compromise on speed to get that range? Even the low-speed models are designed to be driven at 40 kmph now!
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Was quite happy to see a battery swapping station kept outside the showroom. A closer look revealed that it was a cupboard with 10 lockable compartments. There seemed to be some fancy disco lights on top of each compartment, possibly to indicate which are the compartments with charged batteries, and which are the ones with discharged batteries. Since there was no electricity connection connection, LEDs were nonfunctional. In future, there is a provision that the charging will happen in this unit. The location is not ideal, as the motorcycle cannot come close to the unit. This means that there is a lot of hamali that is happening between the storage area and the motorcycle. The customer is saved from the weight lifting, thanks to a contractor who has been hired, exclusively to do the batteries swapping. I spoke to the contractor, who was not happy with all this enforced gymming. The battery after all, weighs 20 kg. I think two modules of 10kg would be ideal.
As a temporary measure, the batteries are being charged at a station in Kharadi. And they are being shipped to both the showrooms. Till 31 Dec, there are no charges for customers. But from January onwards the company will start recovering electricity charges. At the Senapati Bapat Road showroom, about 4 to 5 swaps are happening every day. Assuming an equal distribution between Kalyani Nagar and SB Road, this means that 60 motorcycles are being serviced at SB Road. This means less than 10% of customers coming in everyday. Looks like a lot of people are preparing to charge at home. The question I should have asked, is whether these swap customers are regular, or are new customers coming in everyday? Would be interesting to see if customer behaviour changes, once charges start getting applied for battery charging.
Some other questions to the operator of the Revolt Hubs
As a temporary measure, the batteries are being charged at a station in Kharadi. And they are being shipped to both the showrooms. Till 31 Dec, there are no charges for customers. But from January onwards the company will start recovering electricity charges. At the Senapati Bapat Road showroom, about 4 to 5 swaps are happening every day. Assuming an equal distribution between Kalyani Nagar and SB Road, this means that 60 motorcycles are being serviced at SB Road. This means less than 10% of customers coming in everyday. Looks like a lot of people are preparing to charge at home. The question I should have asked, is whether these swap customers are regular, or are new customers coming in everyday? Would be interesting to see if customer behaviour changes, once charges start getting applied for battery charging.
Some other questions to the operator of the Revolt Hubs
- The operator takes the battery of customer and gives customer a fully charged battery
- There are 10 slots in the Hub
- Revolt owners have to book the slot on the battery to be swapped.
- Until the end of new year, the swap is free
- Apparently the Swap station, is being used atleast 5 times a day by Revolt customers as of December end 2019. This will only increase in time.
- The heavy weight of the RV400 battery is an issue for battery swapping.
PluginIndia Take
It's great to see Revolt taking more responsibility by installing these hubs to ensure customers have a hassle free experience.
As an electric motorcycle owner, all we need is 4-5 strategically placed such hubs in multiple part of cities and in high volume ride locations outside cities.
For example, a Revolt hub between Mumbai and Pune at Lonavala would be nice. I know many people who are not getting a Revolt as they feel, they cannot take it out of the city.
We will update this blog as and when more Revolt Hubs open up.
It's great to see Revolt taking more responsibility by installing these hubs to ensure customers have a hassle free experience.
As an electric motorcycle owner, all we need is 4-5 strategically placed such hubs in multiple part of cities and in high volume ride locations outside cities.
For example, a Revolt hub between Mumbai and Pune at Lonavala would be nice. I know many people who are not getting a Revolt as they feel, they cannot take it out of the city.
We will update this blog as and when more Revolt Hubs open up.
