Five electric scooters to consider as petrol prices climb: iQube, Chetak, Vida, S1 Pro, 450X
With petrol prices rising, buyers are turning to electric scooters; here are five models with their prices, range, speed and features.
Petrol prices are soaring these days. It has been reported that the daily rate rises by at least Rs 2-3. Petrol vehicles are weighing heavily on the common man's pocket, and customers are therefore leaning towards electric scooters. One charge is enough to ride all day, with no fuel cost and no worry about pollution. These two-wheelers come at affordable prices and offer strong features.
First is the TVS iQube, the cheapest scooter on this list, with a starting price of just Rs 1.08 lakh. The company offers batteries from 2.3 to 5.3 kWh, and on a full charge the scooter runs up to 212 km. Its top speed is 82 km/h. It gets turn-by-turn navigation, hill hold (which stops the vehicle from rolling back on a slope), Bluetooth connectivity and a large touchscreen display. It is a good vehicle for everyday use.
Second is the Bajaj Chetak. The Chetak name is known to everyone, and it has now arrived as an electric scooter. It is priced at Rs 1.38 lakh ex-showroom and has a 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The company says it will go 153 km on one charge. Its speed is 80 km/h. It also has full map navigation, a mobile app, a digital meter and a reverse mode, which lets the vehicle be moved backwards. The scooter also looks quite premium.
Third is Hero's Vida V2 Pro, known for its technology. Its price starts at Rs 1.15 lakh. It has a large 3.94 kWh battery, which gives it a range of 165 km on a full charge and a top speed of 90 km/h. Its features include a touchscreen, ride modes that can be changed as the rider prefers, and modern features such as cruise control and reverse assist. It is a good vehicle for long journeys.
Fourth is the Ola S1 Pro, whose looks win many admirers. The scooter is known for its higher speed and longer range. It costs Rs 1.50 lakh and has a powerful 4 kWh battery. On one charge it runs a full 242 km, the longest range on this list. It comes with music control, good navigation, cruise control and different riding modes. For something stylish, Ola is an option.
Fifth is the Ather 450X, slightly costlier but the scooter with the most features on this list. Its price starts at Rs 1.35 lakh. It has a 3.5 kWh battery that gives a range of 161 km. Its pickup is strong and its top speed is 90 km/h. It has premium features such as a large 7-inch touchscreen, park assist (help with parking), call alerts and Google Maps navigation. For those who want everything the latest, it is the best choice.
For buyers on a lower budget, the iQube is the pick, and for more range the Ola S1 Pro is the best fit.
