The sale of electric vehicles face power shortage as the constraint. The sale of e-bikes in 2008 was 110000 but 2009 would see the decline. The factors attributed for this are replacement of battery (Rs8000) and the overall running cost. The consumers are not accustomed to the difference between battery charging and normal fuel. But Electrotherm with its YObikes is offering batteries of higher volume range and less charging hours. The company has introduced vehicles with stronger chassis.
The issue regarding quality, on the eve of more Chinese vehicles, is yet to be resolved. The trend made exit of a major chunk of players – out of 300- as only 4 or 5 could sustain their presence due to huge investments (Rs80-100crores). Hero Motors, Electrotherm, BSA Motors, Ultra Motors and Emmel are in the show now. They intend to share the market yielding a sale of 8 million per year and seek the mercy of some governments on incentives or tax exemption.