Raptee T30 First Ride Review: High Voltage Ambition Meets Real-World Reality

The Raptee T30 builds upon the increasing electric two-wheeler scene in India, yet does it truly stand out in a segment where customer expectations are high? We delve into this newcomer by putting it through its paces on the bustling roads of Chennai.

Ever since the electric vehicle market in India kicked off with impressive growth over the past few years, much of that surge has been fuelled by electric two-wheelers. Today, we're spotlighting a fresh entrant: the Raptee brand with its T30 electric bike. This review uncovers everything from its styling to features, range, and performance. Let's dive into this first ride of the Raptee T30.

Starting with the aesthetics, the Raptee T30 boasts a fully faired look that mimics traditional petrol-powered bikes, largely thanks to the centrally placed battery pack enveloped in fairing. Up front, you'll find a complete LED cluster with daytime running lights and upside-down forks. The tyres are chunky: a 17-inch 110-section at the front and a 150-section at the rear. Instead of the usual 'EV' badge, it sports 'Raptee HV', signifying high voltage at 240 volts, a novel twist not commonly seen in conventional electric two-wheelers, promising enhanced efficiency and performance.

The rear features full LED tail lamps and indicators, contributing to a sleek profile. Weighing around 177 kg, it employs an aluminium frame to keep things relatively light, though the heft is noticeable during manoeuvres. A standout feature is the CCS2 fast-charging port, allowing up to 7 kW charging. This means you could juice up for about 100 km in roughly an hour using CCS2 public fast chargers, a rarity in two-wheelers.

Controls are intuitive: left-side buttons manage the 7-inch coloured display with three modes-Comfort, Sprint, and Power, plus a cruise control option slated for activation in the final production version. On the right, there's a kill switch, ignition, function switch for the instrument cluster, and a hazard lamp button. The bike packs a 5.4 kWh battery, claiming a real-world range of around 150 km.

Power figures impress on paper: the 5.4 kWh battery delivers 29 bhp and 70 Nm of torque, sprinting from 0 to 60 kmph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 135 kmph. Different modes cater to city, highway, and mixed riding, offering solid acceleration in both urban crawls and open stretches. However, the bike's weight from the battery and motor is evident at low speeds, though it balances well once momentum builds.

During my ride, one unit exhibited minor wobbling, possibly due to low tyre pressure, but switching to another resolved it, maintaining stability at higher speeds. The riding posture strikes a fine balance which is not too aggressive for city duties nor overly relaxed for highways, easing strain on wrists and shoulders. Ride quality shines overall in varied conditions, though the suspension feels a tad stiff, which aids high-speed stability but compromises comfort in urban potholes.

A glitch cropped up: about 10 minutes into traffic, the bike shut down automatically with a glitching display, restarting shortly after. The Raptee team attributed this to a drained auxiliary battery, similar to those in ICE bikes, a fixable issue, but worth noting.

Things I didn't fancy include a persistent noise between 20-50 kmph, likely from the belt drive, which disrupts the typical EV serenity and can grate during city rides. The stiff suspension, while great for revving, lacks plushness in town, despite decent seat cushioning. Braking performs adequately at low and city speeds, but at highways, it falls short on reassurance, denting confidence for sustained high-speed runs.

On the flip side, performance across modes is commendable, with no complaints in traffic, city, or highway scenarios. The 7-inch instrument cluster is crisp and visible even in bright sunlight, though navigation (Raptee's proprietary system) showed minor lag. Lastly, the posture blends worlds effectively for versatile riding.

Priced at Rs 2.40 lakh (ex-showroom), the Raptee T30 enters as a compelling package in India's electric two-wheeler arena. Its features, especially CCS2 compatibility, are noteworthy, build quality feels robust, and performance holds strong despite minor niggles like noise and stiffness. Comfort takes a slight hit, but overall, it presents a solid option. If you're eyeing an electric bike in this segment and price bracket, the Raptee T30 merits consideration amid the evolving EV landscape.