Electric bikes provide an extra boost while riding, but brand-new e-bikes can be expensive. Purchasing an electric bicycle often costs ₹30,000 or more.
However, there is a much more affordable way to experience the benefits of an e-bike – by converting your existing bicycle using a DIY kit from Dhruv Vidyut.
In this article, we’ll explore how converting your current bike with Dhruv Vidyut’s electric conversion kit can save you thousands compared to buying a new pre-built electric bike.
Table of Contents
E-Bike Pricing is Prohibitive for Many
While growing in popularity, the adoption of electric bicycles in India needs to be improved by their steep costs. Pre-built e-bikes from established brands often cost:
- ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 for more basic or mid-drive models from Hero, Avon, SmartE, Gozero Mobility, etc.
- ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000 for premium e-bikes from Giant, Trek, Cannondale, and Specialized.
For many middle and lower-income Indians, those prices financially put quality electric bikes out of reach. This restricts access and adoption by large segments of the population.
Read Also: Go Green: Convert to an E-Bike with Dhruv Vidyut’s Retrofit Kit
Dhruv Vidyut Conversion Kit Cuts Costs Significantly
The Dhruv Vidyut electric bike conversion system provides a solution to e-bike affordability. Its pricing is structured as follows:
- Motor kit – ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 depending on motor power and type.
- Battery pack – ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 based on capacity and cells.
- Accessories – ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 for extras like lights or racks.
Accounting for options, you can convert a bike for around ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 all-in using a Dhruv Vidyut DIY kit. That’s up to 50-75% cheaper than buying a new e-bike!
And you get to keep your existing bicycle frame and parts instead of replacing the whole bike.
Cost Comparison of New E-Bike vs. Conversion Kit
Let’s break down a detailed cost comparison on specific product examples:
| Purchase | Price |
|---|---|
| New Hero Lectro Electric Bike | ₹30,000 |
| Dhruv Vidyut 250W Rear Motor Kit | ₹16,000 |
| 10Ah Lithium Battery from Dhruv Vidyut | ₹12,000 |
| Accessories Bundle | ₹3,000 |
| Total Conversion Cost | ₹31,000 |
As you can see, converting an existing bike using the Dhruv Vidyut kit offers comparable capabilities and features for around the same price as buying a value-priced new e-bike model.
And for higher-end pre-built e-bikes beyond ₹40,000, the savings of converting your bike grow even larger. Plus, you get to customize the exact bike you want.
Save Money Converting Multiple Bicycles
Where converting your bike with Dhruv Vidyut becomes even more affordable is outfitting multiple bikes for your family.
Purchasing 2 or 3 new e-bikes for family members at ₹30,000 each adds up. But you can convert multiple bikes using a single Dhruv Vidyut battery pack and other accessories by swapping components.
For example, convert one bike with a motor kit and battery for ₹30,000. Then, add a second motor kit for just ₹16,000 more. Swap the battery between cycles as needed.
It is much less expensive than buying separate e-bikes for all family members!
Avoid Hidden Costs of New E-Bikes
Beyond just the upfront sticker price, new e-bikes come with some hidden long-term costs:
Warranty service – Manufacturing defects often require paying for repairs after warranty expiration.
Proprietary parts – Replacement parts can be expensive from the original manufacturer.
Shorter lifespan – Pre-built bikes may need to be more modular and upgradeable.
No reuse value – Repurposing expensive proprietary e-bike components is hard.
Converting an existing bike lets you avoid these pitfalls. The DIY nature makes servicing cheaper. The components are standard bicycle parts. And you can reuse the conversion kit on a new bike frame.
Resale Value Favors Conversion Kits
Electric bikes depreciate quickly as technology improves. An e-bike worth ₹50,000 new may be resold for only ₹20,000 in 2-3 years.
But the Dhruv Vidyut conversion kit retains value and can be resold for 50% or more of its original price even after years of use.
Why? The components don’t become outdated as quickly. The kit can be transferred to another bike frame instead of stuck on the original proprietary e-bike model.
A Dhruv Vidyut motor and battery retain much more value than a used complete e-bike. So, your conversion investment pays off better in the long run.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Electric bicycles require some specialized maintenance that standard bikes don’t need:
- Battery maintenance – Replacement battery packs are expensive.
- Electronics repairs – Servicing proprietary components like monitors or control units can require factory service.
- Motor repairs – Damaged hub motors may need a full replacement.
But with a Dhruv Vidyut conversion on your bike, maintenance is simplified:
- Use standard bicycle parts for easier repairs.
- Generic batteries are inexpensive to obtain spares.
- Motors are basic and share common parts.
- Electronics are minimized, reducing potential failures.
The DIY nature translates into lower long-term maintenance headaches and costs.
Dhruv Vidyut Offers the Most Affordability
How does Dhruv Vidyut compare against other electric bike conversion kits in India regarding value?
Dhruv Vidyut sits on the affordable end of the pricing spectrum while providing quality parts sourced domestically.
By comparison, SmartE and other major brands focus on the high-end market with conversion kits priced from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000.
And lower cost no-name kits on sites like Amazon and Flipkart cut corners on components and offer no warranty.
Dhruv Vidyut hits the sweet spot – converting your bike at roughly half the cost of a new e-bike with reputable Indian-made components.
Additional Savings from E-Bike Incentives
Some progressive cities and states are starting to offer financial incentives for purchasing electric bikes and conversion kits:
- Delhi recently began offering ₹5,000 in subsidies for e-bike buyers.
- Gujarat was the first state with an electric vehicle promotion policy, including e-bikes.
- More municipal smart cities are considering similar rebates and rewards.
As adoption spreads, these will lower the effective cost of a Dhruv Vidyut even further. Be sure to check available incentives in your area.
Conclusion
The savings from converting your existing bicycle into an electric bike using a cost-effective DIY kit like Dhruv Vidyut can be substantial, especially compared to buying a new e-bike.
You can electrify your current bike at around half the price or less of a pre-built e-bike, avoid ongoing maintenance costs, retain resale value better, and take advantage of emerging e-bike subsidies.
If you want electric pedal assist on a budget, transforming the bike already in your garage into an e-bike using an affordable kit like Dhruv Vidyut is a smart financial move.
Have you converted a regular bicycle to an electric one? What savings did you experience compared to buying new? Let me know in the comments!
