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Able and moving

A NEW HOPE Roamer Able would be affordable

Physically challenged people may just have a sigh a relief. Soon they will be able to experience mobility of their own without being dependent on anybody else to push their wheelchair.

They can now move as quickly as anybody else. The roads and buildings of the Capital may not be disable friendly yet, but now they can at least drive or ride to their place of work on their own. The first step has just been taken with the launch of an electric scooter Roamer Able by BSA Motors which can be manoeuvred by physically challenged people themselves.

Speaking on the occasion, K.B. Srinivasan, Vice President, BSA Motors said, “After extensive market research we felt that there is a burning need to come out with a scooter which would help the mobility of the physically challenged.” Speaking on the sidelines after the launch, he added, “For long people have been buying scooters from the market and modifying them, but those vehicles are not very safe. Roamer Able seeks to fill that vacuum.”

The scooter runs on a 500 watts battery. There are two different driving modes, power and economy Mode. In the power mode the top speed of the vehicle goes up to 40 kms per hour and the driving range will be 45 kms, whereas in the economy mode the top speed will be mere 25 kms per hour and the driving range will be 60 kms. Now it is up to the driver to choose the mode according to the need. The battery has a life of 350 to 400 cycles of charging roughly 16,000 kms after which the battery needs to be replaced. It costs around Rs.9,000.

Roamer Able has some helpful features for the users such as a holder for crutches and a rear brake lock so that the scooter does not roll back on slopes. Another smart feature of the scooter is the reverse gear which can be engaged with a flick of a switch. This option will come in very handy while parking or getting out of the parking area. The ex-showroom price of this scooter is Rs.35,300 but the Delhi Government is offering a subsidy and after the discount the price comes down to Rs.28,300.

The company is expecting the withdrawal of countervailing duty on import of components in the upcoming budget which in turn will make the product more competitive and give a major boost to the demand. Currently critical parts attract a CVD of 10.5 per cent. If all goes according to expectation, Roamer Able might just become more affordable too.

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