Orbiter TVS Motor Company is now preparing to launch another electric scooter in India. The company has released its teaser, which has the caption – “Get ready for an electrifying ride”. This makes it clear that the new model will be an EV. The launch date has also been confirmed.
Design and Features
Recently, a glimpse of this scooter was revealed from the design sketches leaked from Indonesia. The design looks quite sporty and futuristic.
- Slim horizontal LED DRLs and integrated LED indicators at the front
- Headlamp unit mounted on the handlebar cowl
- Tall windscreen – to give a touring style feel
- Slim body panels and special design element passing through the floorboard – this is where the battery pack can be located
- Split grab rails and LED tail lamps at the rear
- Small glovebox with charging port, dual rear shock absorbers
- Wheels: 14-inch at the front, 12-inch at the rear
Engine and motor setup
It is being speculated that this scooter can get a mid-mounted motor, which will be better than hub-mounted motors in terms of balance and performance.
However, according to some reports, TVS can also use a hub-mounted motor to make it more affordable. That is, the company may be considering two different variants.
Will it be named ‘Orbiter’?
A big ‘O’ letter is visible in the teaser image, which suggests that its name could be “Orbiter”. The special thing is that TVS also filed a trademark for the name ‘Orbiter’ last year. Apart from this, the company has also registered names like EV-One and ‘O’.
Launch, Price and Positioning
The company will position the new TVS Electric Scooter below the iQube in its EV lineup. That is, it will be an entry-level EV.
- The starting price of the current iQube is around ₹ 1 lakh.
- The price of the Orbiter is expected to be less than this or around this.
- That is, it will compete with scooters like Bajaj Chetak (lower variant) and Ola S1X.
Why is this launch special?
TVS iQube is already available in India with five variants and three battery options, priced between ₹ 1 lakh and ₹ 2 lakh. But the demand for affordable scooters in the EV segment is constantly increasing.
Amidst the reduction in government subsidies and rising inflation, companies are now focusing on more affordable EVs. In such a situation, TVS’s Orbiter will give customers a new and cheaper option.
