Category: Auto Tech

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

NAME	RANGE	TOP SPEED	PRICE
Ola S1 Pro	181	116	129999
Hero Vida V1 Plus	165	82	139000
Hero Electric NYX	165	42	84000*
Gravton Quanta	150*	N/A	115000*
Ather 450X Gen 3	146	80	139005
TVS iQUBE ST	145	80	130000*
Hero Vida V1 Pro	143	80	128000
Ola S1	141	95	99999
Hero Optima CX	140	45	82000*
Ather 450 Plus	108	80	117495
Ola S1 Air	101	85	84999

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.

• Smaller battery means less weight , will still hit 90 km/h
• Uses more basic underpinnings like a flat footboard
• ARAI-claimed riding range of up to 101 km per charge

Ola Electric has launched yet another version of the S1 scooter. Its called the S1 Air and is now the entry level or base variant of its popular e-scooter. The 2022 Ola S1 Air is now available pan India for Rs 84,999 only. For the first batch of customers who had booked the scooter on or before October 24; the price remained at Rs 79,999. The S1 Air features some technical changes to keep its pricing lower.

Also Read – Upcoming Ola Electric Car Teased Once Again, Gets Futuristic Interior

2022 Ola S1 Air Details

The design and outlook of the Air are similar to the Ola S1 & S1 Pro. However, it is the fewer technical changes that make it stand apart from its siblings. For example, the footboard is now flat to make luggage ferrying easier. Additionally, it uses drum brakes at both ends. Meanwhile, the hardware used on the scooter is the same as that of its sibling scooters. It also uses the same 7-inch infotainment display which will come equipped with MoveOS 3.0.

The front suspension consists of twin telescopic forks and the rear uses twin spring-type shock absorbers. Due to these technical changes, the weight of the Air stands at only 99 kg. This makes it a whopping 26 kg lighter than the S1 Pro itself. Meanwhile, the ergonomics and maneuverability have also increased due to the reduced weight. It is available in 5 colour options – Red, White, Blue, Black, & Silver.

Ola uses a smaller 2.5kWh battery pack on the Air which produced a peak motor power of 4.5kW. This motor has been combined with three riding modes – Eco, Normal, & Sports. The ARAI-claimed riding range in the Eco mode stands at 101 km per charge. This makes it one of the long-distance riding scooters among its rivals. Additionally, the Air can reach a top speed of up to 85 kmph as claimed. The 0-40 kmph comes under 4.3 seconds while 0-60 kmph comes under 9.8 seconds. The charging time for the battery stands at 4 hours 30 mins. Its main rivals include the Ather 450 Plus & Hero Vida V1.

Verdict

The launch of S1 Air has led to the expansion of Ola among budget-oriented buyers as well. The tech-rich Ola scooter comes with a long-riding range and new features. We expect it to sell in good numbers due to its good combination of features and value for money. The deliveries of Air will begin in the first quarter of 2023 in India.

• Available in two variants
• The bike will be delivered to the customer’s doorstep in Mumbai
• Kratos can do a claimed riding range of up to 120 km on a full charge

The Pune-based EV maker Tork has started delivering its first product to its customers. The delivery process of the Tork Kratos electric bike has begun only for Mumbai-based customers. Meanwhile, the e-bike is being delivered to Mumbai customers via courier services. The bikes will be delivered to the customer’s doorstep directly from the Pune headquarters. The Kratos was launched earlier in January this year. However, the production delay has happened due to unavoidable conditions and hence delay in the deliveries as well.

Also Read – 2022 Ola S1 Air Launched In India For Rs 84,999 With 101 Km Range

Tork Kratos Details

The Kratos is a naked sports motorcycle with an electric heart. It comes in two different variants called the Standard and the R. Additionally, the Standard comes with a smaller 7.5kW electric motor. However, the R variant has been equipped with a bigger 9kW electric motor. The Standard variant can reach a claimed top speed of up to 100 kmph. Meanwhile, the R variant can touch a slightly higher 105 kmph mark. Both of these battery packs and electric motors are IP-67 water resistance rated.

Speaking of its design, the layout of it is inspired by the naked sports bike design. Hence, the front set riding position and aggressive styling are implied in it. Compared to its rivals like the Revolt RV 400, the Kratos looks more bulky and mature. Meanwhile, there are three riding modes available on the Kratos. These include – Eco, Normal, & Sports. The R variant of the Kratos can do up to 180 km per charge in the Eco mode as claimed by ARAI. It’s real-world riding range stands up to 120 km in the Eco mode. Other features include the likes of LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, remote lock/unlock, etc.

Verdict

The pricing of Kratos is Rs 1.22 lakh (Standard variant) and Rs 1.37 lakh (R variant) with a subsidy in Maharashtra. We think it is a good competitor to the already established Revolt e-bike. However, the brand needs some time to expand itself to achieve customer satisfaction in terms of after-sales support.

Also Read – Upcoming Ola Electric Car Teased Once Again, Gets Futuristic Interior

After the S1 Pro and S1, the company has now launched a base, entry level version called the S1 Air. The timing is right – Hero has just launched the Vida and its the on-going festive season in India. Priced at Rs 84,999, the new Ola S1 Air electric scooter is now available for sale in India. This is a fierce competitor for ICE I(internal combustion engine) scooters and other electric scooters in the similar price range at this time. The Bounce Infinity E1 electric scooter is one of electric scooter that competes with S1 Air and costs Rs 79,999 (ex-showroom) in other states and Rs 70,499 (ex-showroom) in Delhi. We will compare the Ola S1 Air vs Bounce Infinity E1 electric scooters in this article.

Also Read: 2022 TVS Raider 125 SmartXonnect Debuts At Rs 99,990

Ola S1 Air vs Bounce Infinity E1 – Powertrain

Specifications	Ola S1 Air	Bounce Infinity E1
Battery Pack	2.5 kWh	2 kWh
Battery Type	Fixed	Portable & swappable
Max Power	4.5 kW	1.50 kW
Charging Time	4 hour 30 minutes	4 hour
Claimed Range	101 km	85 km
Top Speed	85 km/h	65 km/h

As seen above, the new Ola S1 Air is more potent than the Bounce Infinity in terms of specifications. In addition, the Ola S1 Air is faster and has a longer range than the Infinity E1 electric scooter. That said, the swappable and portable battery pack, which can be charged anywhere, is a benefit of the Infinity E1.

Ola S1 Air vs Bounce Infinity E1 – Hardware

	Ola S1 Air	Bounce Infinity E1
Front Tyre Size	90/90 R12	90/90 R12
Rear Tyre Size	90/90 R12	120/70 R12
Front Suspension	Telescopic Front Fork	Telescopic Hydraulic
Rear Suspension	Twin Rear Shock Absorbers	Twin Shock Absorbers
Front Brake	Drum Brakes	230 mm Hydraulic Disc with CBS
Rear Brake	Drum Brakes	203 mm Disc Brake

The Bounce Infinity E1 earns points for its hardware because it has disc brakes with CBS on both ends. The Bounce Infinity E1 also has a wider back tyre section than the S1 Air, thus aiding handling and aesthetics.

Also Read: Upcoming Bajaj Pulsar N150 Spotted Yet Again, Launch Expected Soon

Ola S1 Air vs Bounce Infinity E1 – Features

The Ola S1 Air has a lot of features available. It has a 7-inch touchscreen instrument cluster, three riding modes—Eco, Normal, and Sports—as well as OTA updates, remote boot unlock, music playback, LED lighting, GPS & navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Bounce Infinity E1, on the other hand, offers Power and Eco riding modes. Other features include drag mode, LED lighting, geo fence, location tracking, reverse mode, cruise control, and a digital instrument cluster.

Ola S1 Air vs Bounce Infinity E1 – Price

Ola S1 Air is priced at Rs 84,999 and is available in five colour options – Blue, White, Red, Black & Grey.

The price of the Bounce Infinity E1 is Rs 70,499 (ex-showroom, Delhi); in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and other locations, it is Rs 60,999, Rs 70,499, Rs 74,999, and Rs 79,999 respectively.

Verdict: The Bounce Infinity E1 boasts better hardware and swappable battery technology while the Ola S1 Air is a sleek scooter with a tonne of features and a respectable range. Both scooters cater to the market for affordable electric vehicles, and the choice is entirely up to the customer.

• Test drives of India’s latest e-SUV have started now
• This EV rivals the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV
• Price announcement soon, could be near the Rs 25 lakh mark

Test drives of the 5 star NCAP crash test rated BYD Atto 3 electric SUV have now started at some dealerships across the country. The company is currently in an expansion stage and now has about 15 showrooms in India. Depending upon the availability of the electric car, potential customers can contact their nearest showroom (see the list) to know about the test drive schedule and book for the same.

BYD Atto 3 is the second offering from the Chinese carmaker after the e6. The e6 too is a great success and offers a good driving range, however, the Atto 3 is focused on buyers wanting to splurge more than the already popular EVs like MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV.

The Atto 3 is powered by a 60.48 kWh battery pack which offers a claimed driving range of 521km. Performance-wise, it does 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 7.3 seconds and this battery churns out 201 bhp of power with a peak torque of 310 Nm. Hence you can expect high levels of performance as well as efficiency.

Also read : New MG ZS EV base version priced at Rs 22.58 lakh

This electric car gets a standard warranty of six years/1.5 lakh km, whichever is at the earliest while the battery warranty sticks to 8 years/1.60 lakh km. For the e-motor and controller, the warranty sticks to 8 years/1.5 lakh km.

On the safety front, the soon to be launched Atto 3 has scored 5 stars at the Euro NCAP crash test which is quite good. It scored 91% in the safety of adult occupancy and 89% in child occupancy. Overall, the upcoming EV is not only safe but also provides a decent driving range too along with good performance.

Feature-wise, BYD is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, power folding ORVMs, wireless charging, keyless entry and more.

Also Read: Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Corporate Edition Discontinued; i20 And Aura Colour Options Revised

Verdict – The prices of the upcoming BYD Atto 3 are not out yet but we expect it to stick north of Rs 30 lakh. It is an expensive alternative to the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV. The bookings for the same have begun.

• 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

• BYD Atto 3 is expected to be launched this December
• BYD Atto 3 gains 5 stars at the EURO NCAP crash test making it a safer EV
• The Atto 3 prices are expected to be north of Rs 25 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

BYD recently unveiled their upcoming EV, the Atto 3 in the Indian market. This is a mid-size, promising EV that will be a premium alternative to the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV buyers. The Atto 3 is not only a feature-loaded e-SUV, it is also a very safer electric vehicle.

As per tests conducted by Euro NCAP, BYD Atto 3 has scored a 5-star rating. For adult occupancy, it has scored 91% and 89% in child occupancy safety. The passenger compartment of the Atto 3 was safe in the frontal offset test. In the full-width rigid barrier test, the protection of critical body areas was good for the driver and rear passenger.

Similarly, in the side barrier test, the protection of all critical body areas was good, however, in the case of a severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as weak. Even pedestrian safety is good when it comes to their heads and legs. However, the protection of the pelvis region was termed poor.

BYD Atto 3 is powered by a 60.48 kWh blade battery that churns out 201 bhp of power with a peak torque of 310 Nm. Performance-wise, the Atto 3 performs 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 7.3 seconds which is quite impressive. The driving range for the same sticks to 521 km.

Feature-wise, BYD is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, power folding ORVMs, wireless charging, keyless entry and more. You can watch a quick walkaround video of the Atto 3 below.

The bookings for the BYD Atto 3 will commence next month and the price announcement is expected in December or early January 2023. We expect the price to be north of Rs 25 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

• 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.