7 Things to Check Before Buying an Electric Bike

Buying an electric bike in Pakistan is not like buying a petrol bike. With a CD 70, you already know what you are getting. Every mechanic can fix it, every buyer knows its resale value, and there are not many surprises.

Electric bikes are different. Two scooties that look almost the same in the showroom can be completely different machines underneath. One may have a battery that lasts five years. The other may be struggling to reach half its range in twelve months.

A federal employee summed it up well when he told APP in September 2026: first check the battery, its quality, its warranty and the company behind it. That is good advice, and it is where our list begins.

1. The battery: type, size and maker

The battery decides almost everything about an electric bike: range, charging time, how long it lasts and what it will cost you later.

Ask three questions:

What type is it?

• Lead-acid: cheapest, heaviest and wears out fastest

• Graphene: an improved lead-acid design, usually with an 18-month warranty

• Lithium / LFP: lighter, charges faster, lasts longer, often with a 3-year warranty

What size is it? Ask for the voltage (V) and amp-hours (Ah). Multiply them and divide by 1,000 to get kWh. A bigger number means more range. For example, a 60V 32Ah battery is 1.92 kWh.

Who made it? A known brand's battery is safer than one from an unknown maker. A buyer interviewed by APP said a cheaper battery from a lesser-known company failed within two months.

If the salesman cannot answer these questions clearly, be careful.

Our graphene vs lithium battery guide explains the difference in more detail.

2. Real range, not claimed range

Almost every brochure shows the best-case range. Real riding, with traffic, a passenger and Pakistani heat, is usually lower.

A simple rule: expect around 70 to 85 percent of the claimed range in mixed city riding. Crown Electric itself suggests subtracting about 15 percent from advertised figures.

Some examples:

• The Evee Gen-Z claims 80 km. An owner reported 55 to 60 km.

• The Crown Raftaar claims 130 km. Crown lists 100 to 110 km in eco mode as its real figure.

How to check: Work out your daily distance, then make sure the scooty's realistic range covers it with room to spare. We compared claimed and real range for 10 popular scooters.

3. Top speed vs your route

This is a safety issue as much as a convenience one.

• 25 to 35 km/h: fine inside a housing society or small town, unsafe on main roads

• 45 to 50 km/h: suitable for most city roads

• 60 km/h and above: needed if your route includes canal roads, ring roads or highways

A Metro T9 owner wrote in a PakWheels review that on the canal road, where traffic moves at 60 to 80 km/h, his scooty's 45 km/h top speed felt like a real drawback.

How to check: Think about the fastest road on your daily route. Choose a scooty that can keep up with the traffic on it.

4. Warranty: read the small print

A warranty is only useful if it is clear and if someone near you will honour it.

Ask:

• How long is the battery warranty? (18 months and 3 years are very different deals)

• Is there a kilometre limit as well as a time limit?

• Does it cover full replacement or only repair?

• How long is the motor warranty? (24 months is common)

• What voids the warranty? (Using a different charger, water damage and modifications often do)

• Where do you go to claim it?

Get the warranty terms in writing, with the dealer's stamp, the date and your scooty's serial numbers.

5. After-sales service near you

This is the most common complaint from electric bike owners in Pakistan. A PakWheels report on electric scooter owners found poor after-sales service to be one of the biggest concerns. And APP's September 2026 report described owners struggling to find qualified repair services, especially outside dealership networks.

How to check:

• Ask for the address of the nearest service workshop, not just the showroom

• Ask whether they stock batteries, controllers and chargers

• Ask how long a typical repair takes

• Call the brand's helpline before you buy and see if anyone answers

Some brands publish their dealer reach. MS Jaguar says it has more than 80 dealers, and Crown Electric says it is in more than 26 cities. Read our guide to brands with the best after-sales service.

6. The charger

Most people ignore the charger. They should not.

A dealer quoted by APP said people often spend a large amount on the vehicle and battery but compromise on the charger. A bad charger can damage the battery and shorten its life.

Check:

• The original charger comes in the box

• It matches the battery's voltage and type

• How long a full charge takes (graphene often 5 to 8 hours, LFP often 2.5 to 4 hours)

• Whether a spare or fast charger is available, and its price

If you have load-shedding in your area, a shorter charging time is a real advantage.

7. Paperwork, licence and registration

An electric bike is a motor vehicle on Pakistani roads. You need:

• A valid motorcycle driving licence

• Registration with the Excise and Taxation department

• Number plates

Crown Electric's FAQ puts it simply: any vehicle on public roads needs a valid licence and registration. We explain this in more detail in is a driving licence required for an electric scooty.

At purchase, make sure you get:

• A proper invoice with chassis and motor numbers

• The sales certificate for registration

• The warranty card, filled in and stamped

• The owner's manual

Ask whether the price includes registration. Many do not.

Bonus: things to check during the test ride

If the showroom lets you test ride, use it well:

• Brakes: squeeze hard. The scooty should stop firmly and straight

• Acceleration: try a gentle slope if there is one nearby

• With a passenger: if you will often carry someone, test it that way

• Comfort: check the seat height, footrest space and whether you can put both feet down

• Display: make sure the battery indicator, speedometer and lights all work

• Noise: listen for rattles or grinding sounds

A quick showroom checklist

Print this or save it on your phone:

1. Battery type, V and Ah, and maker

2. Realistic range for my route

3. Top speed vs my fastest road

4. Battery and motor warranty, in writing

5. Nearest service workshop address

6. Original charger and charging time

7. Invoice, warranty card and registration papers

Before you visit the showroom, compare your shortlist on the SawariPK compare tool and check current prices on the SawariPK price list.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important thing to check before buying an electric bike?

The battery: its type, size, maker and warranty.

How do I know the real range of an electric bike?

Expect around 70 to 85 percent of the claimed range in normal city riding. Look for owner reports where possible.

What warranty should an electric bike have?

Look for at least 18 months on a graphene battery and around 3 years on an LFP battery, plus about 24 months on the motor.

Do I need a licence for an electric bike in Pakistan?

Yes. A motorcycle driving licence and registration are required for public roads.

Should I buy an electric bike without a service centre nearby?

It is risky. Repairs often need trained mechanics and specific parts.

Sources

• APP: Electric scooty boom turns into a repair nightmare

• PKRevenue: After-sales service crisis

• PakWheels: From Petrol to Plug

• PakWheels: To EV or not to EV, Metro T9

• Crown Electric: Best electric scooty for Pakistani roads

• PakWheels: Used Evee Gen-Z listing

• MS Jaguar: Dealers and warranty

• ProPakistani: Before buying an electric scooter