These e-bikes need no driver's licence!

The Indian government's stated intention to move the nation to an all-electric passenger vehicle  fleet by 2030, has placed it in the forefront of the global green transportation trend. It has also stimulated domestic innovation in e-bikes—and the latest such offering, being crowdfunded at Fueladream.com was unveiled last week.

Ahmedabad-based LightSpeed will soon offer two variants of electric bike (electric cycle, to be accurate)—LightSpeed GLYD and the LightSpeed DRYFT, the former angled at urban commuters, the latter for adventure bikers. 

The LightSpeed campaign has achieved Rs 10 lakhs worth of pre orders at early bird' concessional prides, against its goal of Rs 15 lakhs.

LightSpeed is the initiative of four graduates—Rahil, Rushad, Krishna and Murtaza, from India (Symbiosis, National Institute of Design), UK (Coventry University, Sheffield University) and Australia (Monash University). 

Both e-bikes run on lithium ion rechargeable batteries and have a top speed of 25 kmph. This ensures that you don't need a driving licence in India.  GLYD, has a range of 35 kms with 3 levels of pedal boost. DRYFT can do 50 kms and comes with 5 levels of pedal boost. Pedalboost allows you to optimise the ride in accordance with the terrain and energy levels you find yourself in. The lowest levels give you the bare minimum aid, so you can rely upon your own power to continue onward. For more push, you can crank it up to the mid-levels, where you share the effort with the motor. You could a;lso go full assist, giving over the traction entirely to the motor. The bikes are claimed to cost just 6 paise per km to run.

Both models come with twist throttle, identical to motorcycles or scooters, and have smart displays for battery levels , pedal boost settings. Additionally the advanced display in DRYFT which you can also have on GLYD at extra cost shows Speed, Trip Distance and Total Distance Traveled, Total Motor Power Consumption & Status Messages like Cruise Control Toggle and Fault Codes. A free portable battery charger is included.