The TVS Orbiter is the latest addition to TVS’s electric scooter line-up, positioned as a balance between practicality, connectivity and comfort. It uses the same 3.1kWh battery as the iQube but with a motor tuned for riding range over performance. If you’re considering the Orbiter, here’s what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be the best option.
Reasons to buy the TVS Orbiter
Unique styling and practical features
The Orbiter has a unique design with angular, boxy styling and a flat seat. Features like the DRL strip across the front apron with integrated turn signals further distinguish it from several scooters in our market. In terms of practicality, the Orbiter offers 34 litres of underseat storage that easily accommodates two half-face helmets. There’s also a front cubbyhole and a USB port under the dash, making it practical for daily errands and commutes.
Good riding range with conservative riding
If you’re easy with the throttle, the Orbiter returns excellent efficiency. In our tests, we achieved a real-world range of 112km on a full charge when ridden gently in City mode. Keep in mind that aggressive riding or carrying heavy loads will reduce this figure. That said, the Orbiter is clearly built to prioritise distance over speed. Charging to 80 percent from empty takes just over four hours, making charging to a decent level viable in most cases.
Affordable with good feature set
At Rs 1.05 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi, before subsidies), the Orbiter offers good value. It comes with the same LCD screen as the lower variants of the Raider, which also offers Bluetooth connectivity via the SmartXonnect application. You also get cruise control and a park assist feature. Plus, with an accessible 760mm seat height and 112kg kerb weight, it makes sense for a lot of beginner riders.
Reasons to skip the TVS Orbiter
Deserves more performance for big city commutes
The Orbiter feels decidedly slow, and in our tests, it took 7 seconds to get to 40kph, which is fine in crawling traffic but far from ideal. You don’t get the instant torque you’d expect from an electric scooter, with acceleration feeling particularly sluggish below 30kph. While it can cruise at 50-55kph, overtaking requires planning, and it’s notably slower when compared to the peppier iQube or even conventional scooters like the Activa.
No disc brake option
TVS has fitted the Orbiter with drum brakes at both ends, and while they are adequate for the scooter’s modest performance levels, the option to have a disc brake at the front would have been nice. For buyers who want better braking performance, the lack of a disc brake variant is a miss.
Ved Janve
Deepak Pachauri
Dinshaw Magol
