This past weekend, TVS launched its new electric scooter, the iQube, at Rs 1.15 lakh. We’ve compiled the five most important things you need to know about TVS’ first EV.
Design
The TVS iQube’s design is quite simple and appears to target buyers of all ages. It comes with rather conventional, yet modern-looking design and, for now, is only available in a white finish. The iQube uses 12-inch wheels that look like the same ones that first made an appearance on the special-edition Jupiter. The headlight and tail-light on the scooter are LED units and the e-scooter also has a unique U-shaped LED DRL at the front, along with an illuminated ‘electric’ logo near the motor.
Performance
Powering the iQube is a 4.4kW electric motor that propels the scooter to a claimed top speed of 78kph. In comparison, the Bajaj Chetak has a top speed of 60kph, while the Ather 450 can go up to 80kph. TVS claims that its iQube can cover 75km on a full charge. This is at par with the Ather 450 though quite a bit lower than the Bajaj Chetak’s claimed range of 95km. TVS is also claiming a 0-40kph time of 4.2 seconds. The scooter has two riding modes – economy and power – and comes with regenerative braking. The battery on the iQube is not removable.
Features
The TVS iQube is equipped with a ‘next-gen TVS SmartXonnect platform’ that includes a TFT instrument cluster and the TVS iQube app. Both these together enable users to access features such as geo-fencing, remote battery charge status, navigation assist, last park location and incoming call alerts/SMS alerts, among others.
Availability and price
For the time being, the iQube will be available only in Bengaluru at a price of Rs 1.15 lakh (on-road). The scooter can be booked through the brand’s website, as well as via 10 dealerships in Bengaluru, from January 27 onwards. The scooter will go on sale in other metros at a later date. When it does go on sale, the iQube will rival the Bajaj Chetak (Rs 1-1.15 lakh, ex-showroom) that is currently avaialable only in Pune and Bengaluru but will eventually boast of a wide network as it will retail via KTM showrooms. The TVS will also rival the Ather 450 (Rs 1.14 lakh, on-road, Bengaluru) and 450 X - the latter is launching tomorrow and to will be avaialable in 10 cities, initially.
First of many
The iQube is TVS’s first all-electric product. However, we do know that the Indian manufacturer has more in the pipeline – like the TVS Creon concept, which was revealed at Auto Expo 2018. The Creon e-scooter that was showcased boasted a 12kW electric motor powered by three lithium-ion batteries, which indicates that it will be a more performance-oriented product. TVS also claimed that the Creon can go from 0 to 60kph in 5.1sec (that’s quick by scooter standards) and boasts a range of 80km.
If the Creon does see the light of day in the near future, expect it to get a host of exciting features that will see it match the ever-growing crop of tech-enabled smart electric two-wheelers in our market.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
