BGauss Takes On The Big Leagues With The New D15 Electric Scooter

Pune-based startup BGauss has launched its new flagship product, a high-speed electric scooter called the D15. It packs a host of features and comes in two variants: D15i and D15 Pro, and takes on India’s big-league e-scooter market.

What’s The Price? Who Are Its Rivals? 

The prices for the electric scooter start at Rs 99,999 and goes up to Rs 1,14,999. It will rival the likes of Okinawa Okhi90 (Rs 1,21,866), Ola S1 (Rs 99,999), Ather 450 Plus (Rs 1.18 lakh), Bajaj Chetak (Rs 1.47 lakh) and TVS iQube Electric (Rs 1 lakh). (All prices ex-showroom Delhi post Fame II subsidy)

How Many Variants Are There?

The BGauss D15 is available in two variants that come with distinct differences. For instance, the D15i is powered by a single li-ion battery pack, whereas the Pro variant comes equipped with a secondary VRLA (lead-acid) battery. Apart from that, the Pro variant also boasts app-based connectivity.

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What’s New? 

With a commuter-based design, the D15 gets retro-themed styling, further accentuated by the circular LED headlight. It gets simple and clean body panels that get slightly edgier on the sides with sporty graphics overlaying it. Featuring a wide single-seat setup, the e-scooter should be comfortable on long commutes. What stands apart, however, are the massive 16-inch wheels, as well as the 175mm ground clearance, both of which are the same as the Okinawa Okhi90 e-scooter.

Propelling the BGauss D15 is a hub-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that churns out a peak power of 3.1kW and 110Nm. The e-scooter is claimed to do a 0-40kmph sprint in seven seconds and gets a top speed of 60kmph. The motor is paired to a removable 3.2kWh li-ion battery pack that offers a claimed ARAI-certified range of 115km. Additionally, the Pro variant gets a supplementary lead-acid VRLA battery pack. Both the variants get three ride modes: Eco, Sports and Reverse.
It takes five and a half hours to completely juice up the batteries with the primary charger, but takes only about two and a half hours with the additional portable fast charger.

In terms of features, the scooter comes packed with a digital instrument cluster, anti-theft alarm, side-stand sensor, battery consumption indicator, USB charging socket, all-LED lighting and distance to empty reading. The Pro variant, however, gets additional app-based connectivity features that include remote vehicle control, geo fencing, roll-over alert, find my vehicle function, health check, state of charge, range, low battery notification and OTA updates. Unfortunately, even the Pro variant misses out on the navigation feature, which would have made the scooter a better choice against premium electric scooters.

The D15 is suspended on a telescopic fork up front and dual shock absorbers at the rear with three-step adjustability. Unlike its rivals, the scooter is anchored by drums on both ends which is a little disheartening, knowing that not even the front gets a disc. And of course, it rolls on massive 16-inch alloys.

ZigSays 

The BGauss D15 is an ambitious flagship product by the brand to take on the big leagues, and boasts decent performance figures coupled with a healthy amount of tech and features. However, the price tag of Rs 1,14,999 for the Pro variant seems like a costly proposition, considering that the scooter misses out on disc brakes and navigation features, something that all its rivals offer at a similar price.