WE THOUGHT WE DON’T need an e-bike, but…
So, our friends from HATASU PH reached out to us to test their new model, the HATASU Hero, to see what we can do using a 3-wheeler electric bike.
Initially, we could not see any advantages of using e-bike over other modes of transportation, say, a motorcycle or a car. We were also a bit skeptical about the stability, and to be frank, we feel uneasy with riding this kind of vehicle.
But, we did not want the HATASU Hero just to be parked in our garage so we gave it a try and used it for our short range errands.
We tried it out by buying some food or meryenda near our office. At first, we were unsure about riding the e-bike at full capacity, and maybe more since 4 of us rode the e-bike instead of the recommended 3-person seating capacity. Surprisingly, the HATASU Hero exceeded our expectations, especially on the uphill road going to our office. It might be a bit slow but what’s important is it pulled through without needing to dismount other passengers.
For the second test, we did a grocery run at a supermarket near our office. This is in SM Bicutan, a little over 1km away. We parked it at a dedicated e-bike parking space, but we could either park it at a car slot or just take the dedicated e-bike parking at the back since the rates are the same anyway.
We bought our weekly supply of groceries for the office and then placed it under the seat compartment, which was very spacious for our grocery errands as it was able to fit all our grocery items. After shopping, we headed straight to our usual go-to meryenda store, Dunkin Donuts. We took the drive-thru like a normal car, then headed back to the office. During the ride, Biboy also charged his phone thru the USB-C port that is already available in the HATASU Hero.
Then, dinner time came, and we also used the HATASU Hero to pig out at a nearby pizza shop.
Our technical director Biboy also used the HATASU Hero to bring multiple stuff that he would have a harder time bringing if he opted to use a motorcycle.
So, what’s the point of this story? Remember earlier when I said that we thought we didn’t need an e-bike? Well, we were wrong! Here’s why we think this alternative vehicle is something you should probably need.
1.) Price: E-bike prices may vary between designs, battery technology, and motor, yet prices of these e-bikes are very affordable for the value they bring to replace our car, especially for short ride errands or for someone who can’t afford a car just yet but wants benefits of a car such as a roof that will allow you to use it rain or shine. Also, to put this into perspective, an entry-level automatic scooter motorcycle can range from 50,000 up to 110,000 pesos, and it can only carry 2 people, has limited cargo and space and is a hassle during sudden rains. Brand-new car prices start at around 700,000 pesos, which is steep. Take note that this is only the initial cost of acquisition; other costs are yet to be realized while you use it. This is why e-bikes provide a low-cost alternative for your daily travel needs.
2.) Space – This is barely 1 and 1/2 the size of an automatic scooter that fits in the size of bike lanes. You can easily park the e-bike in parking establishments with tight spaces, and it just takes a small area in your parking garage.
3.) Low-Cost Maintenance and Operating Cost -The HATASU Hero, a single charge only costs less than 20 pesos, yet it can cater 60-70 km per full charge depending on road condition and usage. This means that it only costs 0.33 pesos per km compared to a scooter with an average of 40 km/L of around 65 pesos per liter of gasoline, which is 1.625 pesos per km although this is inexpensive, this doesn’t include other maintenance such as changing oils, belts, cvts and other parts that needed to maintain in order to work normally, on the other hand, a car consumes 7-9km/L then 65 pesos per liter of gasoline, this cost around 8-10 pesos per kilometer also not including maintenances. Using e-bikes only comes with aftercare such as normal wear and tear parts like tires and brakes, but do take note that you might also need to replace the battery after a few years. Overall, it is still cheaper to use and maintain an e-bike compared to other modes of transportation especially for daily short-range travels.
4.) Other reasons you might consider investing in an e-bike. You can use an e-bike for your business that requires you to deliver large items that a motorcycle cannot carry. You can also use this for picking up your kids from school, use it for tricycle business, or go for a short trip that requires less effort in operating compared to other modes of transportation.
5.) Eco-friendly transportation – since this uses electricity, it reduces carbon emissions that come from gasoline or powered by internal combustion engine transportation.
So, to conclude, e-bike users will continue to grow, and more people will realize that they need it in different usage scenarios whether you use it as a car alternative or an additional vehicle to help you run errands within short distances, an e-bike like the HATASU Hero is easier to use in many different ways.
In case you pull the trigger to buy an e-bike, check out HATASU, their products including their newest offering, the HATASU Hero, which is launching on Nov 14, 2023 priced PHP 64,990 available at Lazada 57.
HATASU Hero specs:
48V32AH Lead Acid Battery
48/60V 35+1A Direct Current Controller
650W Differential Motor
2,160mm x 850mm x 1,710mm (LWH)
Motorcycle Suspension Fork (front shock)
Centershock (rear shock)
Drum Braking System (F/R)
250kgs Capacity Load
60-70kms range
20-25kph top speed
3.00 x 12 Front (tire size)
3.00 x 10 Rear (tire size)
Dual Led Eagle Eye Headlight Front
12V Output Dual Horns
