Electric vehicles are increasingly popular among Indonesians. Not only are they environmentally friendly because they produce lower emissions, but electric vehicles also offer efficiency in energy use and lower operational costs compared to conventional fuel-powered vehicles.

Until now there are two types of electric vehicles that are popular and circulating in Indonesia, namely motorbikes and electric cars. When compared to cars, electric motorbikes certainly have an affordable price tag. Apart from that, the use of motorbikes as daily vehicles in big cities, such as Jakarta, is also considered more suitable for time efficiency.

One member of the Smoot Owner Indonesia (SOI) electric motorbike community, Andi Sofyan, said that electric motorbikes can be relied on for daily mobility needs. According to him, electric motorbikes are able to provide a driving sensation that he doesn't get when using a motorbike with a conventional engine.

“Using an electric motorbike, in my opinion, is fun to drive. There is no engine vibration, even no sound. "And most importantly, electric motorbikes are certainly more economical in terms of consumption compared to ordinary motorbikes," explained Andi, who uses a Smoot Tempur brand electric motorbike every day.

Currently, there are many brands of electric motorbikes circulating in Indonesia. So, before you decide to buy an electric motorbike, it's a good idea to pay attention to the following tips for buying an electric motorcycle!

 

Tips for Buying an Electric Motorcycle

  1. Know Your Needs

Before deciding to buy an electric motorcycle, carefully consider your daily needs. Will you use it for long-distance trips or just short daily trips? If so, you can choose an electric motorbike with a battery capacity that suits the distance traveled. The electric motorbikes sold on the market have varying mileage, ranging from 60 km to 100 km. 

  1. Pay attention to the infrastructure provided

Just like conventional motorbikes, using electric motorbikes must also pay attention to supporting infrastructure, in this case battery charging stations. Therefore, before buying an electric motorbike, you must know where you can charge the battery along your journey. You can choose an electric motorbike with a battery exchange system or a motorbike that uses a charging system. Both have their own pluses and minuses.

  1. Pay attention to the availability of spare parts and after-sales service

The next tip for buying an electric motorbike is to pay attention to the availability of spare parts and after-sales service. Like vehicles in general, electric motorbikes also require maintenance and the replacement of spare parts from time to time. Therefore, make sure that spare parts for your electric motorbike are easy to obtain. Not only that, you also have to pay attention to after-sales service. Choosing a brand that has a good reputation for after-sales service will give you peace of mind in the long run.

  1. Check Complete Safety and Technology Features

Apart from the machine specifications presented, checking the completeness of features, such as safety features and supporting technology, is also quite important. Choose a motorcycle that has complete safety features, such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control, and other safety features. Apart from that, consider the technological features offered, such as smartphone connections, navigation, and the Battery Management System (BMS). BMS is a component that protects and regulates the battery duty cycle in electric vehicles. "At its simplest, the function of this battery management system is to prevent overcharge and overdischarge of the battery," said Sujono M.T. as Head of the Electric Vehicle Study Center at Budi Luhur University, as quoted from Gridoto.

  1. Consider Your Future Budget

Buying an electric motorbike not only considers the budget when buying it but also the future budget for maintenance. One of the most expensive spare parts owned by an electric vehicle is the battery. As a new technology, the price of electric motorbike batteries is currently relatively expensive, namely over IDR 5 million. Therefore, you have to prepare a budget in case your electric motorbike battery drops, so you won't be at a loss to replace it.