TVS entered the electric scooter game with its popular iQube in 2020, and since then, it has regularly finished in the top three in terms of monthly EV sales. Now, we have learnt that the company is working on a new budget-friendly EV model, which will likely sit below the iQube and is slated to launch before the festive season.
- TVS iQube is one of the bestselling EVs in India
- New EV’s price expected to be similar to or lower than the base iQube 2.2
- Jupiter CNG is also being readied for launch soon
TVS entry-level EV in the works
Launch slated before festive season, price expected to be in the base iQube’s ballpark
The TVS iQube has one of the most widespread line-ups in the electric scooter game, with five variants available across three battery capacities. Pricing for the iQube starts at Rs 1 lakh for the smallest 2.2kWh variant and goes up to nearly Rs 2 lakh for the range-topping 5.1kWh version. We have been led to believe that this new TVS electric scooter will be positioned below the iQube, and given its intended positioning, it is reasonable to expect a small battery, simpler parts and fewer features.
With ever-diminishing government subsidies and increasing inflation, the onus is on manufacturers to bring out newer products at competitive price points. TVS seems to be doing that with its new entry-level electric scooter. While specific details are scarce at the moment, it is likely that this new EV could follow in the footsteps of the iQube, which uses a hub-mounted motor sourced from Bosch, and it will likely be a simple, no-frills offering to ensure that the costs are in check.
According to people in the know, TVS is aiming to bring its entry-level electric scooter to the market before the festive season to capitalise on market demand and hit the ground running with it. Where exactly this offering finds itself in the market is a bit of a question mark currently, but we expect it to be positioned around the Rs 90,000-Rs 1 lakh ballpark (ex-showroom). The company will probably achieve this by offering simpler features compared to the iQube and either the same 2.2kWh battery pack or a slightly smaller one.
As of now, the name of the entry-level TVS e-scooter hasn’t come to light, but given the widespread popularity of the Jupiter brand, that could be a definite possibility. TVS is also working on bringing the Jupiter CNG scooter to market this year, and if it does, the Jupiter will be the first 2-wheeler brand to be available in petrol, CNG and electric versions.
There’s also the possibility of this model being the electric version of the XL moped. TVS has filed patents for the names XL EV and E-XL, and this could be the name that the electric moped could carry upon launch. Traditionally, the value proposition of the TVS moped has been strong, and the XL 100 is the most affordable ICE 2-wheeler one can buy currently in India. It remains to be seen whether the upcoming TVS EV slots into the Jupiter, XL or iQube line-up or creates an altogether new brand.
With inputs from KETAN THAKKAR
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
