Suzuki has just announced pricing for its first electric scooter in our market, the much anticipated e-Access. We've compared it against rivals with comparable battery capacities to see how its range and charging times stack up in the competitive EV landscape. This includes the Bajaj Chetak 3001 (3.0kWh), Ather Rizta S (2.9kWh), TVS iQube (3.1kWh) and the Vida VX2 Plus (3.4kWh).
Suzuki e-Access vs rivals: range comparison
VX2 Plus offers 47km more range despite similar battery size
With a claimed IDC range of 95km, the e-Access sits at the bottom of this comparison despite having a larger battery than some rivals. The Ather Rizta S, with a 2.9kWh battery – smaller than the e-Access's 3.07kWh pack – delivers a claimed 123km range, which is 28km more.
The TVS iQube 3.1kWh, with a battery capacity nearly identical to the e-Access, also offers a claimed 123km range. Moving up, the Bajaj Chetak 3001's 3.0kWh battery delivers a claimed 127km IDC range – 32km more than the e-Access despite having an almost identical capacity battery pack.
The Vida VX2 Plus has the biggest battery here with a 3.4kWh unit. The company claims an IDC range of 142km range, making it the highest figure here.
Suzuki e-Access vs rivals: charging time comparison
e-Access takes longest to charge; Chetak fastest
The Suzuki e-Access takes 4 hours 30 minutes for a 0-80 percent charge with the supplied portable charger, making it the slowest in this comparison. However, Suzuki is setting up its own fast-charging network, and when plugged into one of those DC fast chargers, the e-Access can charge from 0-80 percent in 1 hour 12 minutes and 0-100 percent in 2 hours 12 minutes.
Bajaj has not revealed a 0-100 percent charge time for the Chetak 3001, but the scooter takes just 3 hours 50 minutes for a 0-80 percent charge, making it the quickest charging scooter here.
The TVS iQube 3.1kWh, meanwhile, takes 4 hours 3 minutes for a 0-80 percent charge with the supplied charger. The Ather Rizta S, meanwhile, comes with a slower charger, which means a 0-80 percent charge takes 6 hours 30 minutes. However, the Rizta's advantage lies in its access to Ather's extensive Grid fast-charging network, and plugging into one gives you 15km of range in just 10 minutes.
The Vida VX2 Plus takes just 4 hours 13 minutes for a 0-80 percent charge with its supplied charger. Like the Rizta, the VX2 Plus can also be charged at Ather's Grid fast-charging network (both use the same connector).
Suzuki e-Access vs rivals: price
e-Access costs significantly more than rivals
The Suzuki e-Access is priced at Rs 1.88 lakh, making it the most expensive scooter in this comparison by a considerable margin. The Vida VX2 Plus is the second most expensive scooter here priced Rs 1.21 lakh (before any offers and subsidies), which is still a massive Rs 67,000 less than the e-Access while offering 47km more range and a similar battery capacity.
The Bajaj Chetak 3001 is priced at Rs 99,500, about half as much as the e-Access, despite, on paper, having a comparable battery size, more range, and a metal body construction. The TVS iQube 3.1kWh, at Rs 1 lakh, isn’t far off either.
Finally, the Ather Rizta comes in two variants with the 2.9kWh battery – the base Rizta S is priced at Rs 1.05 lakh, while the Rizta Z costs Rs 1.30 lakh.
Ved Janve
