Ampere Magnus LT

Ampere has been a big part of India's electric scooter market since 2008, even before electric vehicles became as popular as they are today. The company has gradually expanded its range of offerings over the years. Ampere is backed by Greaves Cotton, a Mumbai-based manufacturer known for its diesel engines. Priced at Rs 93,900 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Magnus LT competes with other affordable electric scooters available in India.

The Magnus LT looks very similar to the Magnus EX. Following the traditional scooter design, the Magnus LT resembles a petrol-powered scooter.

The Magnus LT, like the EX model, has a stylish and sporty design. It features the same body panels as the EX. It has a halogen headlight while the LED DRLs and turn signals are mounted on the front apron. It has a sleek rear and gets a halogen taillight. The scooter is offered in three colours: Ocean Blue, Lunar White, and Graphite Black

The Ampere Magnus LT runs on a hub motor. It offers two riding modes (Eco and City), as well as a reverse mode. The top speed of 45kmph is just about enough for everyday city commutes. It takes under 10 seconds for the Magnus LT to accelerate from 0 to 40kmph. 

Despite not delivering strong performance, it offers a decent range of 80km. If the battery runs out, you can recharge the scooter using the charging port beneath the front seat or by removing the battery. Charging from 0 to 100 percent takes approximately 6 hours.

The Ampere Magnus LT feels light and nimble, making it easy to navigate through traffic. Its drum brakes perform decently for a scooter with a top speed of about 45kmph, although Ampere could have improved it a bit more. During hard braking, the front may wobble a little. Despite being narrow, the 10-inch tubeless tyres provide decent grip. However, the overall ride quality is lacking due to the soft suspension, which bottoms out easily even with a rider weighing around 75kg, resulting in a bumpy and jittery ride.

The Magnus LT comes with a padded seat, but the ride can be a bit uncomfortable due to the soft suspension that doesn't offer much travel. The handlebar is within reach, but the high floorboard might make the riding position feel cramped, especially for riders of average height. The horn button is oddly located above the left-side turn indicator, which means you have to adjust your left hand to reach it. Additionally, the sharp edges of the brake lever can become uncomfortable during long rides.

Removing the battery is a hassle, it is located under the scooter’s seat. You need to unlock a lid with a key, then undo two screws and a metal strap to access the battery. This makes the process inconvenient. However, the metal strap keeps the battery secure, preventing movement or noise on rough roads. Ampere should consider simplifying this procedure.

The Ampere Magnus LT is equipped with a halogen headlight, taillight, and indicators. However, it also gets LED DRLs (daytime running lights) on the apron. The e-scooter features an LCD instrument cluster that shows basic information along with estimated range and turn-by-turn navigation. 

The scooter also features a convenient USB charging port and a small storage compartment on the inside of the apron. The Magnut LT offers decent underseat storage with a convenient boot light. It also has a side stand sensor for safety. The Magnus LT has a special "Limp Home" feature that lets you travel up to 10km when the battery is at 10 percent charge.

The Ampere Magnus LT is an affordable high-speed electric scooter that serves its purpose even though it doesn't match the performance of petrol-powered scooters. Its simple design and lightweight structure make it well-suited for daily commuting. However, the Ola S1X+ falls in the same price range and seems to be a better choice on paper.