Six electric scooters under Rs 1.5 lakh compared on price, range and features

Many customers are now considering electric scooters to avoid rising spending on petrol. The market now offers several options priced below Rs 1.5 lakh. The TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta, Ather 450S, Hero VIDA VX2 Plus and TVS Orbiter are six scooters buyers may find appealing.

The scooters differ in battery capacity, range on a single charge, speed and modern features. Some models offer an IDC range of up to 212 km. However, it would not be right to choose a scooter by its starting price alone. Battery build, charging convenience and after-sales service also need to be considered.

The TVS iQube has battery options from 2.3 kWh to 5.3 kWh. Depending on the variant, its claimed IDC range is up to 212 km and its top speed is up to 82 kmph. Its effective starting ex-showroom price is Rs 95,374. It has connected technology, turn-by-turn navigation, hill hold assist and Q-Park Assist. The different battery options let a customer pick a variant to suit their needs.

The Bajaj Chetak comes with a battery of 2.5 kWh to 3.5 kWh, depending on the variant. Its claimed range is up to 153 km and its top speed is 80 kmph. The C2501 variant has an ex-showroom price of about Rs 99,802 in Bengaluru. It has a reverse mode, digital instrumentation and up to 25 litres of storage space. These are useful features for everyday use.

Customers looking for a family electric scooter can consider the Ather Rizta S. Its ex-showroom price starts at Rs 1.22 lakh. Its claimed IDC range is up to 161 km and its top speed is 80 kmph. The Rizta's highlight is its total storage capacity of 56 litres. It also gets a reverse mode, AutoHold and a wide seat.

For customers who prioritise speed and performance, there is the Ather 450S. Its ex-showroom price starts at Rs 1.36 lakh. Depending on the battery option, its claimed range is up to 161 km and its top speed is 90 kmph. The company claims the scooter can reach 40 kmph from standstill in just 3.9 seconds.

The Hero VIDA VX2 Plus 3.4 has a 3.4 kWh battery pack. Its claimed IDC range is 146 km and its top speed is 80 kmph. It is claimed to reach 40 kmph from standstill in 3.1 seconds. Its ex-showroom price in Delhi is Rs 1.31 lakh. It has a removable battery, a 4.3-inch TFT screen, a front disc brake, a reverse mode and three riding modes.

The TVS Orbiter has a 3.1 kWh battery pack and a claimed IDC range of 158 km. The scooter was launched in Bengaluru at an ex-showroom price of Rs 99,900. It has 34 litres of boot space, cruise control, hill hold assist, connected technology and a 14-inch front wheel.

Before buying, a customer should first compare the claimed range with the distance of their daily commute. Charging time, battery warranty, the removable battery facility and the company's service centre network should also be checked.

The IDC range that companies quote is based on a fixed test. The range achieved in real use may be lower or different. Traffic conditions, riding speed, rider weight and road conditions all affect battery range. It is therefore advisable to choose the model and variant that suit one's own use before buying.