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PluginIndia Electric Vehicles

We rode the Ampere Zeal Electric Scooter

13/8/2019

20 Comments

 
By Raphae Halim
We got an opportunity to ride the ​Ampere Zeal Electric Scooter, which is the latest scooter launched by 10+ year old EV company Ampere Vehicles.
The dealer in Cinchwad, Pune invited us to take a look at it.  In this blog, we highlight our observations in real time as we rode the Zeal.
The Zeal is FAME 2 compliant electric scooter, which means that the scooter has achieved the necessary localization to qualify to get a subsidy of Rs 16,900.
​The on road price in Pune is around Rs 75,000 which compares to a normal ICE scooter.  So it does not make any sense to go for a petrol scooter as you start saving money from day 1.
Picture

Design & Color
  • We loved the purple and white color scheme used in the model we got.
  • Also use of gradient effect in the purple color adds an element of style.
  • The dual tone red and black model also stands out.
  • All in all a good looking design by the Ampere team.

Basic Specs
  • 70-75 km range
  • 50-55 km top speed
  • 1.8 kWh Lithium Ion battery pack
  • 1.2 kW peak power delivered by the BLDC hub motor
  • 5-6 hours for a full charge using a 5 Amp socket

As you can see from our video, we could easily achieve 50 kmph speeds and we loved the instant torque the 60V system offers. 60V scooters are better than 48V based scooters you get that extra zip, also high voltage means lower current is flowing through the system which is better for heat, wiring etc.
The video above showed my ride with the Ampere Zeal scooter.

The Battery
Our dealer told us that Ampere makes their own Lithium batteries by importing cells from Phylion, which is a large Chinese maker. 
Earlier models of Ampere used to import the entire battery pack from Phylion in China. But it's good to see that they make the battery pack themselves.
Other scooter manufacturers like Okinawa, Hero get their batteries from 3rd party battery companies which results in them not having full control
​over battery cell issues or other battery related diagnostics.
  • 1.8 kWh battery pack compared to 2.9 kWh pack used in the Ather scooter
  • Battery is removable which is a big plus if you don't want to install charge point at your parking lot.
  • They did not disclose the chemistry being used at the time we rode this. The dealer has been told that it is a standard NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide - LiNiMnCoO2) battery pack. This should give around 1000 cycles, which we assume will last for 4-5 years.
  • 2 years warranty on the battery. We hope it would have been 3 years for more peace of mind.
  • Also we don't have information on the following
    • Quality or make of BMS
    • If the battery pack has remote cell monitoring
    • Data logging offline for analysis of cell voltages
    • What is buffer used at 100%
    • Thermal protection if any
  • Essentially the quality of the battery is something we hardly get information on from these manufacturers but it would be good to know and hopefully if we get this information, we will add it here.
  • Charging time of 5-6 hours is a good, as the company offers 5 amp charger which is a slow charge but better for battery health.
Picture
Picture

Performance 
The Zeal accelerates smoothly with no hassles, the awesome initial torque enables 0 to 30 kmph pretty fast makes it for fun rides in cities where there is lots of traffic signals. I never felt that i was lagging behind or had issues over taking slow moving traffic as you can see from the video.
The scooter tops up at 52 kmph in our tests and even at 25% state of charge, we could achieve such speeds.
The handling, stability and braking also seemed satisfactory.

Final Thoughts

​All in all its a decent scooter to own for local errands in city and the occasional use on highways and we would recommend it.
Also we like the fact that Ampere mentions realistic range instead of hyping up unrealistic numbers like some other companies.
​
​Do try the scooter and give us your thoughts on the model.

Further Reading
Compare Ampere Zeal vs other Electric Scooters in India
20 Comments
Motionman Electric Scooters link
25/8/2019 05:36:03 pm

Hi, i love your blog and demands of electric vehicle increasing due to petrol price and pollution. So, we need to buy electric vehicle now!

Reply
SUNDARARAJAN A S
11/9/2019 07:01:06 pm

I am considering Ampere Zeal as one of the options in my search for a reasonably powered electric scooter. My only concern or anxiety is about the load handling capacity of the electric scooters. Zeal claims to be comfortable handling 140 Kgs of load. I feel 200 Kgs would have been more practical

Reply
A G ArjunPandian
28/9/2019 09:23:40 pm

70 km without rejgistration

Reply
Dharani kumar V U
14/10/2019 01:13:17 am

Personal review on my bike to help all e-bike buyers out there :

I am driving ampere zeal from 23 September 2019, I risked buying ampere zeal between various marketing giants like Okinawa, ather, revolt etc. I will post in most sites to reach as many as possible.

Personally I have tested various bikes from Okinawa, Benelli, and ampere, hero in Chennai.

Reviews from other brands:

1. Okinawa praise series:
Pros:
Cool looks, more electricals, useful head lights, 75kmph speed, good build quality.

Cons:
Customers review that the battery life cycle is too short and it doesn't give the mileage the company promises.
Reason is too heavy bike, which overloads the battery and stresses it leading to less charging cycle. (If u want Okinawa wait for belt drive series like ather or revolt or Yamaha so it won't stress the battery and live longer).
Other thing is bike and spares are too costly. (Better go for ather)
Praise lithium battery is too costly so after three years u will throw the bike than replacing the battery.

2. Okinawa ridge+:
Ridge and ampere zeal have matching specs and proper rivals.
Pros:
Good electrical options than zeal (have reverse), usable head lamps, looks like usual Honda Dio bikes.

Cons:
The bike I drew dint go fast due to less charge, but I feared the battery quality like in praise. (But heavy)
Bikes are not enough in stock. Some reviews says company doesnt solve their customers issues and poor warranty claims. They are eager in manufacturing and sell new bike only. (Suits to Praise too) replacement parts takes long.

3. Benelle:

Pros:
Cheap
Cons:
Looks like a toy electric bike, speed is less, they buy bikes from various manufacturers (indian and Chinese) and sell it in thier name(like battree brand they sell under benle)
Spares will take too long to reach u.
Poor build quality, ( except battree model which is good but just looks odd check amazon)

4. Ampere REO:
Pros:
Cool looks, useful head lamps, best buy for the price (cheap), they look similar to zeal except in performance.
Cons:
Less speed 25 or 40kmph, average build quality.

5. Ather 450 and Rv 400: (haven't test driven)
Pros:
Speed, pickup, and everything is best ,belt drive so battery and motor will last long.
Cons:
Too costly bike, spares and battery
We will get bugged by people for it's annoying looks.
Not available only registration is going on.
Buzzing sound.

6. Hero electrc:
Pros:
Cost effective, well known brand,
Cons:
Average build quality, looks like crap in design (very poor looks), avearge battery quality.

7. Ampere zeal:

Reason for buying Ampere zeal:
Ampere company is always true to their words, zeal looked like Honda Dio, company has best customer support, colors and stock always available no waiting. And mainly cheap for the price and specs. We can't drive bikes at 25kmph so I needed >50 KMPH and decent mileage. It's Coimbatore startup and acquired by Greaves.

Pros:
Good pick up,
Cool looks like commercial Dio
it gives promised mileage75km/charge at 55 kpmh speed. It gives >90 km mileage at low speeds.
A cheapest bike compared to others with speed >50.
Simple to use, detachable battery.
Quality of battery and hub motor is good.
Less weight can drive very easy and take it in gaps of traffic very easy.
Spares are ready in 2 to 5 days

Cons:
Useless head lamp, average body plastic build quality (it will feel like a newbie designed its body),
Average harness and body quality, (my brake holder had poor cast iron received broken waiting still to be changed)
less electrical options,
Charges time is 5 hours. (Fast charging reduces battery life so it's good)

Who can buy ampere zeal:
E-bike have no exchange value, so if you are not ready to donate 1.5 lakhs to ather or Okinawa or revolt but u also need speed+ performance+ battery quality choose zeal
If you want a commercial looking e-bike go fort it.


Note: upcoming models from hero, ampere, Yamaha, Bajaj are creating strong expectations. But u need to wait an year to buy them.
Problems in other models except zeal is unknown as I haven't used it long time.

Reply
PluginIndia
14/10/2019 12:17:26 pm

Superb! Very impressive writeup. Thanks for the information.

Reply
Dharani kumar V U
18/11/2019 03:01:04 pm

Hi everyone,

With my recent update after my experience with Okinawa praise pro (li)

Okinawa praise pro:

Pros:
Costs 85000 on road (decent price)
Have dual disc and 12 inch tyres
Huge battery and powerful motor
High ground clearance

cons:
No storage space (battery occupies all of it)
Foot space is tall, rider needs to carry our legs higher enough to reach it


Finally with performance:

Okiwawa praise pro vs ampere zeal ( praise pro is the winner)
Okinawa ridge + vs ampere zeal (zeal wins)

Reply
Pyla Deshick
18/10/2019 12:11:00 pm

I have been using Zeal for about a month and ride quality is pretty decent. My average daily commute is 50 km and this scooter is pretty good for my requirement. I would strongly recommend this scooter if your needs are like mine. Also I got this scooter at 67,000(+1800 for steel guard).

Reply
Neeraj Chadha
30/5/2020 12:50:59 pm

How you got it for 67000.

Reply
RAVISHANKAR
9/8/2020 01:09:25 pm

Where did you get sir on road 67 k inclusive of rto 1yrinsurances thirdpart5yrs all these

Reply
Sandy
21/10/2019 11:21:03 am

Dear plugin India team, I like the informative video u create about evs, unbiased and honest. M planning to buy ampere zeal, I have lil doubt on the load it can carry. Can It carry 200kg load?

Reply
Kamlesh Mallick
8/11/2019 05:31:07 pm

No its only 130 kg payload capacity

Reply
Dharani kumar V U
18/11/2019 02:41:42 pm

I carried three persons each >70kgs nothing happened, but unlike petrol vehicles the load impacts more on mileage in electric vehicles.

Like if the mileage is 75kmpc for single it may give only 40kmpl with 3 persons.

Also hub motor based E- scooters are not suitable for 3 persons.

So better move to belt drive scooters

Razor PowerCore E90 Electric Scooter link
13/11/2019 01:07:03 pm

Compared to motor vehicles maintain electric scooter is very easy here you can get complete information regarding Razor E90 Electric Scooter.

Reply
Neeraj
9/12/2019 11:34:09 am

Ihave to purchase a new e scooter this moth . I purcaed Ridge 30 18 monts back and there are serious issues with speed and range . The battery is also lead acid . his time I want to purchase a Lithium IOn battery powered scooter that gives good speed and good average and also sometimes 2 passengers . Which escooter to go for . My mob. no. 9335258886 and whatsapp 9919588861

Reply
Narayan
23/3/2020 04:59:26 pm

Raphae sir, can we keep full size helmet in under seat storage?

Reply
arjun
24/7/2020 04:45:21 pm

Okinawa Vehicle Not Good I Purchased Battery And Motor Issues , Dealer Also Not Good Warranty Issues, Now I purchased Zeal Its Really Good Vehicle So Ampere Electric Vehicle Awesome Thanks To Greaves ....

Reply
Dharani kumar V U
25/7/2020 02:57:16 am

what kind of issues be precise so others can know it bro..

Reply
Shamindra Sensarma
16/12/2020 09:55:36 pm

I use Ampere Reo with Lithium battery model for last 6 months. I experiences with the vehicle really superb. With limited speed, 60km mileage/ full charge my Reo performs as dealer promised.

Reply
Lisa J Harris link
4/2/2021 05:21:42 pm

I m looking for a e scooter, strong, 120 km range with 60 + speed, with auto generative system, mobile connectivity, lithium phosphate battery.

With dicky space.
Scooty or scooter.

Reply
ashikur link
4/9/2022 11:46:27 am

Safety First Comes! the best electric scooter helmet takes many forms for head safety. The first line of protection and most popular way to keep you safe on an electric scooter journey is through protective gear. Here, a mixture of knee guards, helmets, and prod pads can help to keep you protected.

However, of all the defensive gears, none is as vital as an electric scooter helmet. A great helmet for an Electric Scooter is necessary to keep your head secluded against crashes, falls, and impacts.
https://oursafetysecurity.com/best-electric-scooter-helmet/

Reply

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