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Auto Tech

India’s Cheapest Electric Car Priced at Rs 4.70 lac – Meet the PMV EaS-E

Key Highlights

  • Three versions with range varying from 120 to 200km
  • 6000+ bookings already in place, you can book one too for Rs 2000 only
  • Seats two adults and one kid, 4G enabled

This could be the answer to ever-increasing traffic congestion in metro cities. Meet the PMV EaS-E, the most affordable e-car you can buy in India. We told you about PMV EaS-E a few days back and it is now up for grabs with deliveries starting by May-June 2023. There are three versions on offer and the entry-level with a range of 120km is priced at Rs 4.79 lac. Pricing for the other two models has not been disclosed yet. The company claims they have already received over 6000 orders, both from India and abroad.

Also Read | Apple Electric Car Launch Just Got Delayed To 2026: It’s Not Fully Autonomous!

The PMV EaS-E electric car is the first-of-its-kind vehicle in India and promises to offer a low-cost, viable solution for urban mobility. For those who commute 50-100km on a daily basis and need to beat the traffic, this is the car to go for. It has a top whack of 70 km/h which is more than ample for urban runs. It can also accelerate from 0 to 50 in just 5 seconds. Although specs are not out officially, we understand the electric motor generates about 13 bhp and 50 Nm of torque. The car can, as expected, be charged from a normal 15A power socket too. A full charge will take about 4 hours as per the press release – but this might be from a more powerful charger in our opinion.

This car looks micro but is intelligent and technologically loaded. For instance, it offers remote parking assist, cruise control, regenerative braking, and OTA or over-the-air updates. You can also start the air-con remotely thanks to the mobile application. It is also 4G enabled and gets different riding modes that can be accessed through a dashboard on the driver’s seat. 

As far as dimensions are concerned, this micro e-car is 2,915 mm long, 1,157 mm wide, and 1,600 mm tall. Just for reference, India’s smallest petrol the Alto 800 is 3445mm long and 1515mm wide. The EaS-E is pretty tall for roominess, just 17mm lower than the Venue compact SUV.

We look forward to driving this soon. Stay tuned!

Verdict: This could be a great fit for those looking at an everyday urban car with low running costs.

Also Read | Auto Expo 2023 India: MG India Motors Bringing Two New Electric Cars With Premium Features

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Auto Tech

LML Star Electric Scooter Bookings Open : Images & Features

LML is making a comeback to the Indian two-wheeler industry. Well known for their scooters, the company had also launched multiple motorcycles such as Graptor, Freedom, Adreno and Energy. The company is now gearing up to launch multiple electric models, starting with the Star. A lot of you will also remember the original petrol Star scooter was a bit hit in India. Lets quick show you more about the upcoming Star electric via images.

Above : This is how the ‘Star’ electric will look like. Note the striking red colour for body parts
Above: the Star will come with adjustable seats so that riders of various heights will feel comfortable
Above : These are two exclusive features that only the LML Star will offer
Above: Easy to adjust seat. The right picture hits at swappable batteries or a tie up with charging stations
Above : Another segment unique feature will be front and rear camera set-up. The display could be on the touch-screen
Above: This is something we see in modern day cars – the LML Star’s headlamps will come on automatically once it gets dark
Above: Now this is something unique – the Star’s front panel will be able to display icons and logos. Will it display text too? Our fingers are crossed!
Above: Another helpful feature will be the ability to control navigation via haptic feedbacks on the right handle bar
Bookings are open on LML’s website.
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Auto Tech

How To Locate An Ola Hypercharger Near You For S1 Electric Scooter

  • 50 charging stations now operational
  • 1 lakh chargers would be installed by the company in 400 cities as part of an ambitious initiative
  • The Hyperchargers can offer 50km worth of charge in 15 mins

Ola Electric is trying to erase the biggest issue that users face on an electric two-wheeler. Yes, we are talking about limited range. For this, the company is making a significant investment in electric mobility and its infrastructure. Ola Electric has a bold ambition to put 1 lakh public chargers in 400 cities across the nation. The first set of 50 chargers are now in place and these are aptly termed as ‘Hyperchargers’. Why? You can get 50km worth of charge in just 15 mins. Icing on the cake comes in the form of no user fee for the limited time period.

Also Read: LML Is All Set To Launch Its Star Electric Scooter, Bookings Open

Ola Hyperchargers

Although the chargers are free as of now, we can expect the business to introduce a subscription plan or a small fee in the future to charge the scooter and to streamline transactions. According to the brand, a special application will make it simple to locate a charging site, plug in, monitor the charge’s progress, and even pay for the service after the scooter is fully charged.

For now, you can locate the chargers on Ola Electric’s website. The green dots refer to the ones that are planned and the green ones are the ones that are operational. We do have a long term Ola S1 Pro at 91Wheels and will use a Hypercharger very soon to get you our experience of using the same. The company is also ensuring that such chargers come up on highways, thereby making intercity travel a reality with the S1 electric scooter. Currently, at reasonable speeds of 60-70 km/h, the scooter does not offer a range of over 150km. If you see the map closely on the website, you will see an upcoming Hypercharger at Leh as well. Wow!

Verdict: The installation of these Hyperchargers will enable Ola Electric to expand its network of infrastructure for charging electric two-wheelers.

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Auto Tech

LML Star Scooter Is Making A Comeback : And Its ELECTRIC! Bookings Open, Launch Soon

  • LML will launch 3 models by end of 2023
  • First one is the Star – bookings are open
  • Segment unique features on offer

Remember the good old LML scooters on Indian roads, the ones that used to compete with Bajaj models? The same brand is now making a comeback but in a different avatar all together. Keeping up with the modern times, LML has decided to ditch petrol engines and go green, the electric way. They will launch three products by end of 2023 and the first one will be the ‘Star’ – the petrol version of this name plate was on sale in India some years back. The new Star, with an electric heart will unique in a lot of ways. Let’s quick have a look at the features below.

It looks different

The images you see here will for sure get your attention. There are already a lot of good and unique looking e-scooters in India but the LML Star will have its own identity. The red finish for parts like the rear suspension, grab rail et al, sharp body panels, ‘hidden’ DRLs etc do end up making this both futuristic and sporty

Interactive screen

Most electric scooters positioned above Rs 1 lakh do come with a touch screen that offers a lot of functionality. LML however will make Star’s screen even better and more interactive. Apart from Bluetooth connectivity, there are chances that the system might offer some level of AI assistance.

Photosensitive headlamp

This is something we have not seen in the Indian two wheeler space before. While more details are awaited, this could mean an ‘auto headlamp’ feature. Once it gets dark or if the vehicle enters a tunnel or a closed parking, the headlamps could switch on automatically.

Adjustable seat

We don’t know as of now if this is for the seat height or the seat positioning – ahead or back. However, again, this feature is not seen in any of the Indian scooters at this point of time. The adjustable feature will mean the LML Star will be easy to ride for riders of all heights.

360 camera

Yes, you read that right. The upcoming LML Star electric scooter will come with front and back 360 degree cameras. The display for the same would be on the touch screen up front. How useful will this be? We can’t wait to ride the scooter to understand the same!

Haptic Feedback

Another industry first feature will be haptic feedback based navigation signals on the handlebars. This will be a big boon for a rider when he / she wants to use navigation on the go. This also means the LML Star’s touchscreen will offer navigation as standard.

Verdict: This is one ‘futuristic’ electric scooter that will be worth waiting for! Welcome back LML…

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Auto Tech

Best Electric Scooters With Removable Batteries

  • Removable batteries solve the poor charging infrastructure
  • Batteries can easily be charged at home
  • However only a handful of e-scooters come with removable batteries

In India, the market for personal electric vehicles is expanding. India has a large number of two-wheeler EVs. For a better and green future, internal combustion engines should give way to electric propulsion. Given the issues associated with electric two-wheelers, it is critical for electric mobility companies to concentrate on strengthening the EV market with updated innovations. One of those innovations is the adoption of removable battery technology. To facilitate quick charging of the vehicles, the companies are now developing removable & swappable battery. Here are the top electric scooters with removable battery in India.

Also Read: Ola Electric’s 50 Hyperchargers Are Now Live Across The Nation

Bounce Infinity E1 – Rs 79,999

The Bounce Infinity E1 is one of the most cost-friendly electric scooter available with a removable battery in India. A hub motor that generates 83 Nm of wheel torque is combined with a 2 kWh and a 48V 39 Ah swappable battery pack that powers the Bounce Infinity E1. The lithium-ion battery with an IP67 rating takes four to five hours to fully charge, and after that, it has a range of 85 km. There are two riding options, with the Eco mode’s real-world range being estimated at 65 km and the Sport mode’s at 50 km.

iVOOMi Energy’s JeetX – Rs 99,999

iVOOMi Energy is a Pune-based manufacturer of electric two-wheelers. The business recently unveiled its futuristic electric scooter, the JeetX180, which, under Indian driving conditions, can travel over 180 kilometres in sports mode and over 200 kilometres in eco mode. With the JeetX, iVOOMi Energy has a dual replaceable battery arrangement as an accessory. The company’s products, like the iVOOMi S1 and other low-speed variations, make this configuration accessible. The brand offers a twin replaceable battery system on all of its e-scooters, making it the first company in India to do so. The battery for the scooter has a 3-year warranty.

Also Read: 2022 Ola S1 MoveOS 3.0 Software Update Is Now Available

Simple One – Rs 1.10 lakh

Simple Energy’s Simple One electric scooter has a longer range than any other electric scooter currently available in India. The scooter has an IDC range of 236 kilometres, while its actual range in eco mode is 203 kilometres. A 3.3 kWh fixed unit (under the footboard) plus a 1.5 kWh removable battery pack stowed in the boot provide the battery pack a total capacity of 4.8 kWh. The recharge time for the removable battery pack is 75 minutes, compared to 2.75 hours for the permanent battery. The Simple One has a range of 2.5 kilometres after a 60-second charge using the Simple Loop fast-charging network.

Okinawa i-Praise Plus – Rs 1.13 lakh

Okinawa Autotech is one of the leading e-scooter manufacturer in India. A 3.3 kWh lithium-ion removable battery pack is included with the Okinawa i-Praise Plus, giving it a range of up to 139 kilometres. The battery in this electric scooter charges in 4-5 hours and has a micro-charger with an auto-cut feature. A 3-year battery guarantee and a 3-year or 30,000 km (whichever comes first) electric motor warranty are both provided by the brand.

Also Read: LML Is All Set To Launch Its Star Electric Scooter, Bookings Open

Hero Vida V1 – Rs 1.45 lakh

The Hero Vida V1 is Hero Motocorp’s first electric scooter and the most recent entrant in the electric two-wheeler market. The Hero Vida is available in two versions: the Vida V1 Pro and the Vida V1 Plus. The Vida V1 Plus features a 3.44 kWh battery compared to the Vida V1 Pro’s 3.94 kWh battery. The batteries on both scooters are detachable. While the latter’s range is only 143 km, the former has a 165 km range. In terms of features, both scooters offer a touchscreen instrument cluster with a lot of information. Both scooters have three riding modes: Eco, Ride, and Sports.

Raft Indus NX

The Raft Indus Pro comes with a permanent 48 V 135 Ah Lithium-ion battery pack as well as a removable 48 V 65 Ah battery pack. The detachable battery is under the seat, while the fixed battery is under the footboard. Additionally, there is boot room for the charger. The E scooter has a 325 km range with a fixed battery and 155 km with a removable battery. The E scooter can travel 480 kilometres in total. For any electric scooter, it has a considerable range. Keeping the Rough Indus NX at its top speed of 40–45 kmph while carrying a 75 kg load allowed us to test its range.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Electric Bike Reaches Testing Phase – Launch By 2025

Verdict: These are the top electric scooters with removable battery currently on the market in India. With a removable battery, the owner can take the battery out and charge it wherever they like.

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Auto Tech

Offers Worth 4000, Perks Worth 5000 on iVOOMi Electric Scooters!

  • iVOOMi has announced the ‘Big Energy Fest’
  • JeetX’s limited-edition scooters launched – available until November 10, 2022
  • Offers discounts worth Rs. 4000 and perks worth Rs. 5000, 100% financing, low interest rates, and other advantages

iVOOMi has kicked off its festive season with the launch of its ‘Big Energy Fest’. iVOOMi Energy is offering special deals on a selection of its electric scooters including savings of 4,000 on all high-speed electric scooters and 5,000 in free gifts and accessories. Additionally, iVOOMi unveiled the JeetX limited edition scooter, which will be sold till November 10th, 2022.

Also Read: Gogoro To Announce Plans For Indian Market On 3 November – Details

iVOOMi JeetX Limited Edition

JeetX limited edition electric scooter is launched at Rs 1.02 lakh. Customer will be able to purchase the scooter until November 10th at a special price of Rs 98,000. The limited-edition scooters will be available in gloss black with red highlights, gloss black with blue highlights, matte white with red highlights, and matte white with orange highlights. In contrast, regular JeetX variant would cost Rs 95,999. Additionally, JeetX will be offered with iVOOMi’s renowned bucket seats for Xtra comfort while riding. The bucket style comfort seat has a combination of a distinctive form factor and comfort that is special and supports an ergonomic posture.

Additionally, iVOOMi S1 will be sold in a new avatar. The new avatar is available in Peacock Blue, Night Maroon, and Dusky Black for the price of Rs 95,999. All iVOOMi dealerships offer these special benefits. iVOOMi is offering financing options up to 100% of the on-road costs of electric two-wheelers with no down payment. Also, low 7% interest rates per year is provided in order to assure hassle-free loans for consumers.

Also Read: Ola S1 Air Vs Bounce Infinity E1 – Battle Of Budget Electric Scooters

Commenting on the same, Ashwin Bhandari CEO and Co-founder, iVOOMi Energy said “By introducing Big Energy Fest our efforts are to spread joy with our family and we are dedicated towards steering India towards a more sustainable and eco friendly future. Our scooters are designed with Indian riding conditions in mind, and we look forward to bringing happiness by connecting people miles apart through our mobility solutions.”

Verdict: The iVOOMi Energy limited edition scooters will be able to draw more customers to the company. The new offerings will make buying process simple for prospective buyers.

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Auto Tech

Meet India’s Cheapest Electric Car From MG : Wuling Air EV

  • 2-door, 4-seater model
  • Will be made at MG’s Gujarat plant,
  • 300km range, 100km/h top speed

Would you want a Rs 6-7 lakh electric mini hatchback for urban runs? If yes, we have good news in store for you. MG has officially announced that they will launch a small 2-door electric car for the Indian market. It will be based on the Wuling Air EV. How come? MG is part of SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) and Wuling operates a JV with SAIC already. Business formalities aside, the upcoming MG Air EV does promise a lot. Here are few things you should know about this 2-door, 4-seat electric EV.

Wuling / MG Air EV Price

The most affordable electric car in India is the Tiago EV. Priced from Rs 8.5 lakh onwards, it has been a runaway success for the company. The Air EV will clear under-cut the electric Tiago which means a possible starting price of about Rs 6.5 to 7 lakh for standard version with the smaller battery. If MG can pull this off, this could be a great green car for urban runs in India.

Wuling / MG Air EV Battery

Internationally, the Air EV comes with two batteries versions. The standard model comes with a 17.3 kWh battery that promises to offer a range of 200km under test conditions. The long range versions comes with a bigger 26.7 kWh battery pack that gives an additional 50% range – 300km! While the standard version takes 8.5 hrs for a full charge from a 2 kW charger, the long range variant takes only 4 hours for a full charge from a more powerful 6.6 kW charger.

Wuling / MG Air EV Motor

As per Wuling’s international website, both the standard and long range models come with the same 40 bhp / 110 Nm motor. This is capable enough to push the Air EV to a genuine top speed of 100 km/h or 106 km/h as per the speedometer display. We were not able to find the 0-60 km/h acceleration timings anywhere. That said, we are sure the Air EV will come with driving modes of Eco, Normal and Sport.

Don’t Miss : Mercedes’ luxury EV with 857km range!

Wuling / MG Air EV Features

MG or Morris Garages is known to offer feature loaded vehicles and the Air electric car will be no different. It will come a dual screen set-up on the inside. This includes one each for the infotainment system and the driver info display. There will be a keyless entry and start-stop system along with electric park brake, hill-hold, drive modes, dual airbags and ABS. The Air EV will also offer connectivity options include remote diagnosis and remote functions. There will also be a rotary knob as the drive mode selector.

Verdict : This 2-door 4-seater electric EV looks unconventional but might create a new benchmark in the mass electric space in India.

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Auto Tech

11 Electric Scooters With Best Range in India – Ola S1 Pro to Hero Vida V1 Plus

  • These 11 options that offer range of as much as 181km
  • The prices start from under Rs 1 lakh
  • The models are from Ola, Hero Motocorp, Hero Electric, TVS etc

What is the biggest hindrance in the buying decision for an electric vehicle in India? Range anxiety right? No matter how big a battery of an e-vehicle, the convenience of a petrol machine cannot be ignored. However, that said, today there are ample long range e-scooters on sale in India and some of these come from big names in the two-wheeler industry. Let’s quickly have a look at them, starting with a table that showcases key details.

NAMERANGETOP SPEEDPRICE
Ola S1 Pro181116129999
Hero Vida V1 Plus16582139000
Hero Electric NYX 1654284000*
Gravton Quanta150*N/A115000*
Ather 450X Gen 314680139005
TVS iQUBE ST14580130000*
Hero Vida V1 Pro14380128000
Ola S11419599999
Hero Optima CX1404582000*
Ather 450 Plus10880117495
Ola S1 Air1018584999
* approximate. Pricing is for New Delhi

Ola S1 Pro – 181km

With a certified range of 181km, the S1 Pro wins this game by a huge margin. Lot of users have also reported a range of 200km in the past. The S1 pro further excels with the highest top speed of any electric scooter in India – 116 km/h. While the initial lot of scooters did face both mechanical and software glitches, the newer models are a lot better. This includes the new OS 3.0 update.

Hero MotoCorp Vida V1 Plus – 165km

Hero’s first e-scooter comes in the form of the capable Vida. The V1 Plus version is rated at a range of 165km and this makes it the second best option here. The scooter feels well built, has ample features and will be sold via the biggest network of showrooms in India. It looks ‘different’ too, eh? However, it is slightly on the expensive side.

Hero NYX HX – 165km

Hero Electric and Hero MotoCorp have nothing in common and we do want to clear the air here. Hero electric has been selling e-scooters for years now and the rugged NYX model offers 165km of range, thanks to the dual batteries on offer. However, top speed is restricted to 42 km/h. That said, it is one of the most affordable options here.

Gravton Quanta

While we could not find the certified range for this model, the company’s website claims as much as 160km in eco mode. We did try calling the PR agency but got no revert till the time of filing this report. The Quanta’s pricing structure is also not very clear on the website. However, it does come across as a very promising e-model.

Ather 450X Gen 3 – 146km

One of the best (all-rounder) electric scooters on sale today has to be the 450X. Into its 3rd generation, the newly update model offers a riding range of 146km. Top speed is still limited to 80 km/h. The 450X looks nice, is priced well and offers a very good solution for charging needs – the Ather Grid. Infact, the same grid will also be used by Hero Vida owners.

TVS iQube ST – 145km

Next on the list of the smart looking iQube from TVS. The ST version’s bookings are now closed and deliveries might start soon. At a claimed range of 145km, it does rub shoulders with most other long range scooters. However, the exact pricing isn’t out yet.

Hero Motocorp Vida V1 Pro – 143km

The lower priced Pro version of the Vida offers a very respectable range of 143km. It has a smaller battery pack as compared to the Plus and hence the lower range. However at Rs 1.28 lakh, it does make for a brilliant purchase. The swappable battery function at this price point is another highlight.

Ola S1 – 141km

Like the Vida, the S1 also makes it here again. The normal S1 version sits under the Pro in terms of pricing. It has a smaller battery pack but yet offers a certified range of 141km. At under 1 lakh, the S1 gives you unbeatable bang for your buck we say. It looks cute too, eh?

Hero Optima CX (ER) – 140km

Another Hero electric option here is the Optima CX with dual batteries. We are impressed to see that even at this price point, the CX has removable battery function. This is one of the oldest e-scooters on sale in India and comes with a top speed of 45 km/h.

Ather 450 Plus – 108km

If the 450X Gen 3 is too pricey for you, look at the Plus model that is cheaper by 21k. This one offers a lower range of 108km but this is still more than what Bajaj claims for the Chetak EV. The 450 Plus continues to look smart and offers a top whack of 80 km/h.

Ola S1 Air – 101km

Yet another Ola e-scooter here is the newly introduced Air model. At Rs 84999, it is excellent VFM and yet goes over 100km on a single charge as per certification. Ola has tweaked the body for a lower price point and you still get a high top speed of 85km/h. We recently did a comparison with the Bounce Infinity E1 – do check it out!

Verdict: So there you go – 11 options that offer over 100km of riding range on a single charge. But we are sure more options too will join the market and we might see some of these at the upcoming Auto Expo.

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Auto Tech

Simple One Electric Scooter Delivery Pushed To 2023 : See The Alternatives

  • Bookings for Simple One had opened up on 15th August 2021
  • Delivery schedule pushed multiple times by the company
  • No showrooms in place yet!

One could have never imagined that a scooter in India would be the centre of attraction when it comes to waiting for a delivery. The electric mobility space has been on fire in the past few years and most of us want a piece of the action as well. Simple Energy’s ‘One’ electric scooter had promised a lot but the company is now facing the heat from those who booked the scooter in 2021. Would you want till 2023 or go for another e-scooter option?

Background check

It all started on 15th August 2021 when Simple Energy opened up the bookings for the Simple One e-scooter. Thousands of eager buyers went ahead and paid the deposit of Rs 1947 without knowing what was in store for them. This inspite of no clear communication on the launch or delivery dates. In Jan 2022, we were told the scooters would be given to customers by June 2022. However before that would happen, in May 2022, a new time frame was given to us. We rode the scooter in July 2022 and were told by Mr Suhas himself that deliveries will start in end Sep or early October. The reasoning being that the latest guidelines need to be met. However, even this promise turned out to be false as last week we got a press release that the scooter would not be given to customers in 2023. Seriously? A scooter booked in Aug 2021 to be delivered in 2023?

Other options

Thankfully, the segment of high-end electric scooters has increased and there are good alternatives that you can purchase without having to wait for the Simple One. Lets take a quick look at three such options.

Ola S1 Pro

With an on-going discount of Rs 10,000 and segment leading performance, the S1 Pro is a great purchase. Available at an effective price of Rs 1,29,999 (post the discount and FAME II subsidies), the S1 Pro is highly recommended due to its long range of 181km as per ARAI certification. It also comes packed with features including a reverse mode, cruise control, Bluetooth speakers etc. And it looks cute too, eh?

Ather 450X Gen 3

The latest update has made the 450X even more desirable. It retails for an effective price of Rs 1.39 lakh (Delhi) post the state and FAME II subsidies and offers a range of 146km as per ARAI. Top speed is limited to a true 80km/h – pretty low as compared to 110+ for the S1 Pro. However, the 450X does enjoy fast charging via Ather’s grid network and we haven’t heard of poor customer stories either.

TVS iQube ST

Bookings are now closed for the ST variant and launch should happen this month. This will be the third version of the iQube e-scooter. It comes with a claimed range of 145km but top speed is just 78 km/h. However, it looks good, feels well built and offers a massive 32 litres of under-seat storage space along with a 17.78cm touch-screen that supports TVS’ Smart X-Connect. Pricing should be competitive as well.

Verdict : It does not make logical sense to wait for a scooter for almost two years. More because the market now has ample good alternatives. Do see our first ride review of the Simple One below

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Auto Tech

Hero Vida V1 : Pros & Cons Of This New Electric Scooter Explained

  • Vida is Hero’s electric brand for e-wheels in India
  • V1 is the first of many models to be launched in India
  • Looks good, is feature loaded but is it the best?

Hero’s first ever electric scooter has kicked up a storm in the higher end of the electric scooter market in India. Under the new electric brand Vida, Hero has launched V1 in two versions of V1 Pro and V1 Plus. Bookings are currently open and we have ridden the scooter at Hero’s CIT facility near Jaipur. Should you be putting down your money for this one? Here are our pros and cons that you should be aware of!

Hero Vida V1 Pros

  • Peppy Acceleration

    Hero claims the larger battery pack version of V1 Pro accelerates from standstill to 40 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. This is as quick as the Ather 450X and much quicker than the Bajaj Chetak EV. This nature of the scooter will come handy in urban runs where you might want to squeeze into a gap or overtake slower moving traffic quickly. The regular V1 Plus does the same sprint of 0-40 km/h in 3.4 seconds, still good enough in our books
  • Feature loaded

    The Vida V1 comes packed with ample features that are user friendly and helpful too. It has a cruise control set-up, a reverse mode, USB charging outlet, LED lights all around, a very good touch receptive screen, CBS or combined braking system and even a SOS switch that you can use during emergencies.
  • Removable batteries

    Now this is something that the segment leader Ola does not provide with S1 Pro. The two batteries can be removed and charged anywhere – office or home for example. This is extremely helpful in those areas where getting a power connection in the parking lot is not possible or feasible. Thumbs up to Hero for getting this done
  • Nimble handing

    We rode the scooter twice at Hero’s test track outside of Jaipur. High speed manners are excellent and the scooter feels stable enough. Likewise, riding it on the handling track showed us its positive side in terms of agility. The same 12-inch wheels do come handy and its easy to throw the Vida V1 into corners and curves. The reassuring feel will aid riders on a daily basis we say
  • Hero’s eco-system

    The Vida V1 can be charged at Ather’s grid network of chargers across India. These are paid but fast charging units and you will be able to get as much as 1.2km of riding in one minute of charge. Superb! Hero is also offering a buy back scheme for the scooter and repair on site service. Owners can also configure the V1 as per their choice on the scooter’s official website.
  • Safe, dependable and reliable

    One of the biggest challenges and fears a prospective customer faces today is the questionable build quality. From software glitches to fire incidents, hardware failures to poor after sales support, the two wheeler EV space isn’t as organised and sorted as the four wheeler space. However, Hero aims to change this all. The Vida V1 has been under development for years, has undergone upto 2,00,000 km / 25,000 hours of real world tests and comes from a brand that is known for trust. Plus Hero’s unbeatable network means a service center will always be close by.

Hero Vida V1 Cons

  • Limited Top speed

    Hero claims the Vida V1 will hit a top whack of 80 km/h in the Sport mode. This translates to about 82 on the speedometer. The Ola S1 Pro on the other hand will easily go over 110 km/h. Hence for that occasional highway run, the Vida V1 might not be your best bet.
  • Missing features

    Although the Vida V1 does provide a lot of features as mentioned above, a few are still missing. At this price point, we would have appreciated the presence of ABS or anti-lock braking system. Likewise, there are no storage spaces up front – so while you do have a USB charging outlet, you don’t have a place to keep your phone while it is being charged.
  • Limited availability

    Hero is offering the Vida in just three cities of Bangalore, Jaipur and Delhi. Deliveries will start by end of the year and other regions will only be covered from 2023 onwards. This might be a hindrance for those looking at purchasing an electric scooter right away.

Hero Vida V1 Verdict

As the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers, thousands of eager buyers were waiting for the Vida V1 Plus and V1 Pro. This is surely an all-rounder that manages to tick a lot of right boxes. While it may not be the cheapest or the quickest or the one with the longest range, it still feels complete and well made. Plus the trust and reliability factor of Hero.