Electric scooters are everywhere in Indian cities. Ather, Ola, TVS, Bajaj, and a dozen smaller brands are fighting for market share. But what about the accessories that make owning an EV scooter safer and more convenient?
After a year of riding an electric scooter in Indian traffic, here are the accessories that really made a difference — and the ones that were a waste of money.
The 5 Accessories That Are Actually Essential
1. ISI-Certified Helmet with Visor (₹1,000-₹3,000)
This is not optional. It's the law. And it's the single most important safety purchase you'll ever make.
What to look for:
- ISI certification (IS 4151) — This is the minimum legal standard in India. Non-ISI helmets can be confiscated by police.
- Full-face coverage — Protects your chin and face in a crash. Half helmets offer inadequate protection.
- Clear visor — Tinted visors are illegal at night. Get a clear visor and carry sunglasses for daytime riding.
- Good ventilation — Indian summers are brutal. A helmet without ventilation fogs up and makes you sweat.
- Correct fit — The helmet should sit snugly without pressure points. Try before you buy if possible.
Frequently recommended brands: Studds, Vega, Steelbird, Royal Enfield. All under ₹3,000 and ISI-certified.
2. Phone Mount with Charger (₹500-₹1,500)
You'll use Google Maps for navigation — electric scooter ranges vary, and finding charging stations requires your phone. A good phone mount is essential.
What to look for:
- Secure grip — Should hold your phone firmly even on bumpy roads. Look for silicone or rubber grips, not hard plastic.
- 360° rotation — So you can switch between portrait (navigation) and landscape (wider map view)
- Handlebar clamp mount — More secure than suction cup mounts
- USB charging integration — Some mounts include a USB port that connects to your scooter's battery
The reality: Most phone mounts break within 6 months due to Indian road vibrations. Buy a cheap one (₹500) and replace it when it breaks. Don't waste ₹2,000 on a "premium" mount.
3. Disc Lock with Alarm (₹800-₹1,500)
Electric scooters are prime theft targets — they're silent, valuable, and easy to wheel away. A disc lock with a built-in alarm is the best deterrent.
How it works:
- The lock attaches to your scooter's disc brake
- If someone tries to move the scooter, a 110dB alarm sounds
- The lock also prevents the wheel from rotating
What to look for:
- 110dB+ alarm — Loud enough to alert you and scare thieves
- Weatherproof — IP65 rating minimum for Indian monsoons
- Battery-powered — Should last 6-12 months on a set of batteries
- Reminder cable — A bright cable that connects the lock to your handlebar so you don't forget to remove it before riding
4. Rain Cover / Scooter Body Cover (₹400-₹800)
Indian monsoons are harsh on electronics. Even IP-rated scooters suffer from water ingress over time. A body cover protects:
- The display screen
- The charging port
- The seat and storage compartment
- The electronics under the floorboard
What to look for:
- Waterproof material — Not water-resistant. Fully waterproof.
- UV protection — Sun also damages scooter panels over time
- Elastic edges or strap — Should stay on in wind
- Breathable — Prevents condensation buildup under the cover
5. Tire Inflator / Portable Air Pump (₹1,000-₹2,000)
Electric scooter tires lose pressure faster than you'd expect. Running on underinflated tires reduces range, increases tire wear, and is dangerous.
Options:
- 12V portable inflator — Connects to your scooter's 12V accessory socket. Takes 3-5 minutes to fill a tire.
- Battery-powered inflator — Rechargeable, no cables needed. More convenient but needs charging.
- Manual hand pump — Cheapest option, but exhausting to use. Keep as a backup.
Pro tip: Check tire pressure every 2 weeks. Electric scooters are heavier than petrol scooters, so correct tire pressure is critical for range and safety.
The 3 Accessories That Are a Waste of Money
1. Bluetooth Helmet Speakers
You've seen them — helmets with built-in Bluetooth for music and calls while riding. In practice:
- Wind noise at 40km/h drowns out the speakers
- Music is distracting and dangerous in Indian traffic
- Taking calls while riding is illegal
- The speakers add weight to the helmet
Verdict: Skip. Use earbuds (one ear only, which is legal) if you need navigation audio.
2. Fancy Seat Cushions
Gel cushions, memory foam pads, heated seat covers — they all sound great until you ride in Indian traffic. The problem isn't the seat; it's the 45 minutes you spend in stop-and-go traffic. No cushion fixes that.
Verdict: Save your money. If your seat is genuinely uncomfortable, get it reupholstered at a local seat maker (₹800-₹1,500) instead of buying a cushion.
3. Decorative LED Strips
RGB LED strips under the deck, wheel well lights, headlight halos — they look cool in YouTube videos. In reality:
- They're illegal (distracting to other riders)
- Police can fine you for non-standard lighting
- They drain your scooter's battery, reducing range
- Water gets into the connections during monsoon
Verdict: Skip. If you want to be visible, wear a high-visibility vest (₹200) instead.
The ₹5,000 Essential Accessory Kit
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| ISI-certified full-face helmet | ₹1,500 |
| Phone mount with USB charger | ₹800 |
| Disc lock with alarm | ₹1,200 |
| Waterproof scooter cover | ₹500 |
| Portable tire inflator | ₹1,000 |
| Total | ₹5,000 |
This covers safety, security, navigation, maintenance, and weather protection. Everything else is optional.
Final Advice
Don't buy accessories all at once. Start with a helmet and phone mount — these are non-negotiable. After riding for a month, you'll know what you actually need based on your riding patterns.
And always prioritize safety over aesthetics. A ₹1,500 ISI helmet protects your head better than a ₹3,000 stylish non-ISI helmet. A ₹200 high-vis vest makes you more visible than ₹2,000 of LED strips ever will.
Ride safe.
Top Picks at a Glance
| Feature | TUSA Drive X 150 PSI Tyre Inflator | PRIVON Tez 1.0 Cordless Tyre Inflator | Steelbird SBA-7 7Wings ISI Certified Flip-Up Helmet for Men and Women with Inner Smoke Sun Shield with Skull Cap | Portronics Clamp Z Car Phone Holder - AC Vent Mount 360 Degree | Sevenaire Retractable 69W Car Charger with Built-in Cables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature 1 | 150 PSI listing rating | 4500mAh battery | — | Strong clamp grip holds phones of all sizes | 69W total output - fast-charges phones, tablets and even laptops |
| Feature 2 | 12V DC portable air compressor | Cordless and 12V car-socket operation | — | 360-degree rotation for portrait and navigation modes | Two built-in retractable cables (Type-C + Lightning-class) |
| Feature 3 | Digital tyre-pressure gauge | 150 PSI listing rating | — | AC vent mount - no dashboard adhesive residue | Additional USB port for a third device |
| Feature 4 | LED light | Digital display | — | One-hand insert-and-release operation | Retractable design ends cable spaghetti permanently |
| Feature 5 | Car, motorcycle and inflatable use | LED flashlight | — | Portronics build quality with India-wide availability | — |
| Price | ₹2,599 | ₹1,614 | ₹1,808 | ₹253 | ₹2,563 |
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.0 | ★ 4.0 |