Colombo, Sri Lanka, 20 January 2025: Electric scooters are in high demand as an appealing alternative for daily commuters in Sri Lanka, due to their substantial cost savings and minimal environmental impact. As fuel prices continue to rise, these EVs provide a highly economical solution for those navigating the country’s roads each day.
A key driver of this trend is the substantial financial benefit that electric scooters offer over their petrol-powered counterparts. For daily commuters, particularly those covering long distances – such as 100 kilometres per day – the savings on fuel and maintenance are noteworthy.
When it comes to operational expenses, petrol-powered scooters in Sri Lanka typically incur a running cost of Rs. 7.00 per kilometre for fuel. In contrast, electric scooters cost only Rs. 1.50 per kilometre, making them far more economical to run. For a commuter travelling 100 kilometres daily, the difference in fuel costs alone can add up to significant savings.
Beyond fuel savings, maintenance costs also play a crucial role in the overall affordability of electric scooters. Petrol scooters generally require service costs of Rs. 3.00 per kilometre, while electric scooters incur just Rs. 0.50 per kilometre. This stark contrast is due to the simpler design of electric scooters, which have fewer moving parts and experience less wear and tear over time, resulting in lower service costs and fewer repairs.
A breakdown of daily, monthly, and annual costs for both types of vehicles underscores the financial advantages of switching to an electric scooter. For a daily commuter covering 100 kilometres, a petrol scooter’s daily operational cost amounts to Rs. 1,000 (Rs. 7.00 per kilometre for fuel and Rs. 3.00 for maintenance). Meanwhile, the cost of running an electric scooter for the same distance is only Rs. 200 (Rs. 1.50 for fuel and Rs. 0.50 for maintenance).
Over the course of a month, the financial gap becomes even clearer. A petrol-powered scooter incurs Rs. 30,000 in fuel and maintenance costs, while an electric scooter costs just Rs. 6,000. This equates to a monthly saving of Rs. 24,000 for those who make the switch to electric.
The annual savings are even more striking. Operating a petrol scooter for a year costs Rs. 360,000, whereas an electric scooter costs just Rs. 72,000 – resulting in an impressive Rs. 288,000 in savings annually.
With substantial reductions in both fuel and maintenance expenses, the shift to electric scooters presents a compelling financial case for Sri Lankan commuters. Beyond the financial incentives, electric scooters also contribute to a cleaner, greener future, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. For those looking to make both a smart financial decision and a positive environmental impact, the transition to electric scooters is becoming increasingly clear.
