By Atul Gopal
PluginIndia team met Laxminarayan and Namitha in Bangalore to talk about their Ampere Magnus Pro Electric Scooter. Atul spoke with them about their daily usage and over all experience of owning and riding the vehicle. Let us first know a little about them.
Laxminarayan has done his education in rural management and has now transitioned to digital marketing. He has been happy with his Activa till the time he got married. Namita, his better half, was working with a bank in Mysore before she got married and shifted to Bangalore. Distances were short in Mysore - and the commute was enjoyable. Her bank was kind enough to give her a transfer to a Bangalore branch. But she found herself spending two hours on the bus commute to work. That is when Laxminarayan decided that Namita should be given some mobility.
PluginIndia team met Laxminarayan and Namitha in Bangalore to talk about their Ampere Magnus Pro Electric Scooter. Atul spoke with them about their daily usage and over all experience of owning and riding the vehicle. Let us first know a little about them.
Laxminarayan has done his education in rural management and has now transitioned to digital marketing. He has been happy with his Activa till the time he got married. Namita, his better half, was working with a bank in Mysore before she got married and shifted to Bangalore. Distances were short in Mysore - and the commute was enjoyable. Her bank was kind enough to give her a transfer to a Bangalore branch. But she found herself spending two hours on the bus commute to work. That is when Laxminarayan decided that Namita should be given some mobility.
Video : Real Life EV Story, Ampere Magnus Pro
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Laxminarayan is a meticulous researcher. Starting with the PluginIndia site, he ferreted out as much information about the existing electric scooters on the market - before arriving at the shortlist: Ather 450 X, TVS IQube, BGauss and Ampere Magnus. The Magnus Pro made it to the final spot by a process of elimination. The Ather was too expensive. The TVS dealer was too far from home. The BGauss delivery was getting delayed. And so finally, it was the Magnus which was the gaadi of choice.
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So how has been the experience with the Magnus? Namita, the actual user, is quite a satisfied customer. The Magnus has given her a little bit more of financial independence - as soaring petrol bills do not worry her. In fact, one of her colleagues, who bought a TVS NTorq, around the same time as Namita got her Magnus, is now tempted to go in for an exchange offer. The Magnus torque is as good at the TVS NTorq. This high speed vehicle can take both Namita and Laxminarayan through the ups and downs that are part of their neighbourhood. And Namita is extremely happy with the suspension. Having a lighter vehicle also helps.
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The only area of improvement that the couple think is required is in the battery. Namita’s daily commute is 20 km. Earlier, she would charge once in 3 days. But off late, the frequency has become once in 2 days. Given the fact that the vehicle is not even a year old, the issue most likely is related to cell balancing rather than battery degradation. Another symptom that points to the same cause is that the top speed in the Eco mode reduces to 30 kmph on the second day, compared to 35 kmph on the first day. Btw, I loved the simplicity offered by having only two modes for speed. Am not a big fan of 4 speed selections. A binary life on the road is what most of us love. Either you want range or you want fun.