TVS iQube

Autocar India

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Since you have a comfortable budget, our recommendation would be the TVS iQube S 4.7 / ST 5.3 variants, because they have big batteries which should comfortably help you cover multiple days' worth of riding on a single charge. The iQube is a proven, no-nonsense product from a big, reputed brand and TVS also has a widespread service network among EV scooters, which will matter more than spec-sheet numbers and feel-good farkles when you’ll use it every day. While the iQube's performance won't blow you away, its comfort, practicality and stress-free nature are sure to compensate for that.If performance is your number one priority and you can live with less comfort, the Ather 450S/450X are exciting options. However, given your long daily commutes, do bear in mind, it will demand serious commitment day after day, especially over bad roads. If you must have an electric motorcycle form at this budget, the Revolt RV400 is the most settled option, but neither its performance nor its range are attributes to write home about. The e-bike space is still very nascent and our recommendation today is to buy an electric scooter over them.

Autocar India

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In the electric scooter segment, the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak models are hard to go wrong with, and no matter which one you choose, you're likely to end up with a safe purchase which will safely last you many years. Coming to issues with using the iQube during the monsoon, you're unlikely to have any - this is a scooter that has proven its mettle over the past 6 years that it has been on sale. The base 3.5 variant of the iQube in your shortlist, has a 650W charger as standard and it should be sufficiently quick for most daily needs. Its a similar story with the Bajaj Chetak. Any unfortunate battery issues you face will be covered under warranty and even so, these instances are few and far between, not widespread occurrences. The Chetak 3503 also has pretty quick charging times, with the Bajaj website stating a 3hr25min duration for a 0-80 percent top-up, which should be more than enough for your daily needs. Hero's Vida VX2 has come onto the scene relatively later but judging by the fact that these have started to become a fairly commonplace sighting on our roads, the market seems to have given it a good response. We'd recommend a visit to each scooter's authorized dealership and take thorough test rides to ensure you cover every aspect before you make your decision.

Autocar India

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Since your daily running is quite low, getting an electric scooter doesn't make sense, as recouping the higher initial purchase cost will take quite a while. In the petrol scooter space, sticking with proven models like Honda Activa 110 / 125, TVS Jupiter 110 / 125 and Suzuki Access would be prudent. The 110cc models will have better fuel economy, but the 125cc versions usually have more features and a noticeable step up in performance. However, considering that petrol prices are on the upswing currently, one electric scooter you could consider to combat that is the TVS iQube 2.2. Its price isn't much higher than most of the aforementioned ICE scooters, and it has a real-world range of 75km - we've verified this in our tests. Take test rides of these scooters before you make a decision. Remember that with an EV, longer journeys will need a little bit extra planning and preparedness than with an ICE scooter.

Autocar India

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There’s no official word yet from TVS about additional Orbiter variants launching in the near term, and nothing has been shared publicly about a larger 4.7kWh battery - seen on the recently resurrected TVS iQubeS - for it.If range is a key consideration for you, we'd recommend you stick with the higher iQube models only. The iQube has better judged acceleration and braking performance for nearly all real-world situations than the Orbiter, which can feel a little too slow in its quest to maximise range.

Autocar India

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Both the TVS iQube and Ather Rizta are accomplished electric scooters with very few factors to pick between them in terms of the product proposition they present. The iQube is as straightforward and fuss-free as an electric scooter can get in comparison to a petrol option, and if this is your first EV, it would make for a smooth transition. There are five variants available within the iQube lineup, and we'd recommend choosing between the 3.1 / 3.5 models for your daily 45km commute.Where the iQube is the straightforward choice in the EV arena, the Rizta doesn't lag too far behind. Ather's first family e-scooter is comfortable, practical and has more tech than machines three times the price (if you're into that sort of thing). The small 2.9 battery variants can return close to or just above 100km real-world range, which should be more than enough for your use case. Do bear in mind that the S 2.9 variant has a simpler LCD display and doesn't have Ather's Magic Twist regenerative braking system and traction control. This model also comes with a very slow charger, meaning you'll need to plug it in overnight for a full charge.A test ride of both will help you decide which is the better option for you. Whichever option you decide to go for, make sure you have a service centre nearby, that's a key factor in EV ownership because a roadside mechanic can't really fix much when it breaks down, as most functions are electronically controlled.

Autocar India

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For your particular use case, the Hero Splendor XTEC 2.0 would perhaps be the most fuss-free and easy to own machine. Considering the rigors of your profession, you need something that's hardy, frugal and easy to fix when things go sideways - attributes that define the Splendor to the T. At the same time, its hard to ignore the practicality of the TVS Jupiter 110, especially the 33 litre boot, which can accommodate a lot. However, comfort and fuel economy will not be as high as the Splendor. And since fuel economy is an important consideration for you, we'd recommend you also consider the Bajaj Freedom CNG motorcycle. Sure, it has its quirks, but if you want low running costs, then the Freedom is hard to top. In the EV segment, you will get options that can give you 80-90km real world range at real world speeds (read: above 50kph) on a single charge like the TVS iQube 3.1, Bajaj Chetak 3001 and Ather Rizta S 2.9. In their eco modes, you may be able to cross 100km, but your maximum speed will be capped at 35-40kph and it won't be feasible for the time-sensitive nature of your job.Pick between these options depending on what strong points matter the most to you.

Autocar India

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Currently, the electric bike market in India has very limited options under the Rs. 2 lakh mark and even among those, none of them have proven to be compelling alternatives to ICE motorcycles. We'd strongly recommend you consider an electric scooter instead because it will give you the benefits of an EV like low running costs and the comfort of home charging while bringing in practical features like a large underseat storage area. Specifically, options like the TVS iQube, Ather Rizta, Bajaj Chetak and Vida VX2 should be at the top of your shopping list. Take test rides of each and pick a variant with the battery capacity which suits your daily use case and also covers unexpected occurrences.

Autocar India

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The electric bike segment is still very nascent in India, and there are very few options available. Realistically, the only one we would recommend you look at is the Revolt RV400 because it has been around the longest, and Revolt has a sales and service presence in your city. Our professional recommendation would be that you instead opt for an electric scooter because you have a huge variety of choices to choose from, depending on your range, styling, features and other requirements. Options like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Vida VX2 and Ather Rizta are lovely city runabouts that come with the reliability and peace of mind you'd expect from a big manufacturer while being very practical. And if you want something sportier and snazzier-looking, the Ather 450 models are a tried and tested commodity with loads of tech and spirited performance to boot. Another plus point a scooter will have over a motorcycle is that it has a lower seat height and weighs less, which will make it easier to manage in chaotic Mumbai city traffic. We would recommend that you at least take a test ride of some of the electric scooters mentioned above before you go ahead with your purchase to see whether they suit your use case better.

Autocar India

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The River Indie is an impressive electric scooter and will serve you nicely. It is a large, spacious and comfortable machine that focuses on maximising utility rather than frilly features. Its 43 litre underseat storage is the largest on an electric scooter today and can swallow a lot of daily essentials like groceries, a backpack, a large helmet and also have space for the charger. The only thing to be mindful of is its size and weight, because if you are of a shorter stature, then the Indie's size could potentially prove to be too big for you. In that case, we would recommend you opt for one of these three - TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather Rizta. Make sure you take a test ride of these before you decide to go ahead with your purchase, so you can make an informed decision.

Autocar India

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In the electric two-wheeler market, our top recommendations today are the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta and Vida VX2 models. These come with the peace of mind of being backed by a larger manufacturer and are products that have proven their worth over the numerous years they've been on sale. Picking between them will boil down to which product you prefer and which company's touch point (both sales and service) is near your residence. Since your daily running isn't too high, pick a variant with a battery capacity around 3kWh which should be more than sufficient. We'd recommend a test ride of all products you shortlist before you make a decision.