I’d say that the trip high quality of the iQube is on par with that of the TVS Jupiter & Honda Activa. In truth, maybe, it is barely higher because of the silent trip & absence of vibrations.
BHPian prasi55 lately shared this with different fans.
It’s been 9 months since I bought the TVS iQube electric scooter. I wished to share my ownership report.
Positives
- Comfortable using place
- Good suspension
- Good pillion trip experience
- Decent-sized mirrors
- Good gross sales and repair experience
- Wide footboard
- Enough space for storing
- Proven till now with no main points
- Decent vary
- Normal mode is greater than ample for metropolis using
- 12-inch entrance and rear tires (with a caveat)
Negatives
- Range might have been extra (at the very least 40% extra)
- Color choices would have been good
- No quick charging
- Quality is par for the course however might have been higher
Background
I moved again to Bangalore in late 2013 and shortly realized the necessity for a scooter to handle brief runs for groceries or different stuff. While exploring choices, I came across electric scooters from Yo Bikes and Ampere. Both choices concerned lead-acid batteries. Given my biking and triathlon background, I made a decision to discover inexperienced electric scooters. Yo was shortly rejected on account of poor gross sales experience. Ampere v60 appeared promising (vary of 75 in eco mode and 55 in regular mode) primarily on account of a educated seller close to my place, and I finalized it for about INR 55000 on-road in early 2014.
Soon after, in early 2015, I continued my electric journey with the Mahindra E2O.
The Ampere had a high velocity of 40kmph – permitting people with no license to make use of it, and served me properly. I modified the battery as soon as (damages INR 15000). After 7 years, the substitute battery went for a toss, and the 7-year itch for a brand new bike began.
This time, a couple of choices with Li-ion batteries had been obtainable, and I made a decision to concentrate on the preferred ones: Bajaj Chetak, Ather 450+, and TVS iQube.
The Chetak impressed with its retro appears. But regardless of it being obtainable within the KTM showroom close to my place, they refused to supply a check trip. I booked the check trip on-line however didn’t get a response. Meanwhile, I additionally learn stories in regards to the deliveries being delayed and a value enhance. Decided to maneuver on and concentrate on the Ather and iQube.
I visited the Ather experience heart in Indiranagar. It was fairly spectacular. The Ather is one scooter with spectacular construct high quality. The check trip proved this. The seating place was good – it felt like sitting on a motorcycle or at the very least a maxiscooter. Overall, it felt very properly put collectively. However, I used to be eager to check out the pillion trip experience, so requested my pal to trip. The identical suspension that felt stiff but excellent for the rider felt bouncy for the pillion. I could not discover a good seating place and was total fairly uncomfortable.
Even so, I enquired in regards to the pricing. This was March 2021, a couple of month earlier than extra FAME subsidies rolled out. I used to be quoted about INR 150000 for the Ather 450+ and about INR 170000 for the Ather 450X. I used to be within the Ather 450+ regardless of the pricing being greater than funds, however some issues put me off:
- The Ather Connect Pro and Service Pro annual value of two,400 and three,600 unique of GST
- The extra value of about 10K for a transportable charger
- The poor pillion trip experience
This meant that I’d be paying north of INR 165000 on highway and but not have a snug trip experience for two folks, my major use case.
So I seemed on the TVS iQube. The showroom was simply 2 km from my place, and the experience was fairly optimistic. I used to be given a number of check drives. The silent trip, plush suspension, huge footboard, snug trip experience for 1 or 2 folks, and respectable high quality of parts gained me over. Given this was earlier than the extra FAME subsidy, the pricing was INR 115000 plus INR 8250 for the charger. Given the comparable ICE Jupiter prices north of INR 100000 on highway, this was a no brainer and I positioned an order. I obtained the supply in about 3 weeks.
Delivery image
TVS iQube – what has it obtained?
Techincal specs:
- Model: TVS iQube
- Peak Power – 4.4 kWh
- Weight – 118 kg
- Top Speed – 78 kmph
- Tyre Size – Front and rear each 90/90-12, Tubeless
- Brakes – Front disc, rear drum
- Suspension – Front telescopic, rear Hydraulic twin-tube shock absorber
- Peak (wheel) torque – 140 Nm
- Charger Type – TVS SmartXHome Charger or Portable Charger
- Battery Type & Capacity – Lithium-Ion with 2.5 kWh
- Battery Warranty – 3 years or 50000 km, whichever is earlier
- Transmission Type – Hub drive
- Lights – LED lights for Headlight, Tail Lights, indicators, place lamps.
- Boot Capacity – ~20 Litres
- USB Charging port – Yes (with mild)
- Connectivity – 4G LTE
- Bluetooth – Yes
Ride modes and vary:
- Normal – 75 km
- Sport – 50 km
Why TVS iQube?
I wished my scooter ownership experience to be as hassle-free as attainable. This meant quick access to a service heart. A couple of associates personal TVS scooters/bikes they usually talked about how immediate the gross sales/service groups had been in making certain good service.
I used to be fortunate to have a great ownership experience with the Ampere v60 as a result of I used to be lower than 4 km away from my seller, who was fairly educated and immediate with service. However, on a few events once I needed to get substitute elements, the method took near a month on at the very least two events as a result of the older elements needed to be shipped to Tamil Nadu, their standing verified and accredited, and solely then would the substitute elements be shipped again, and so forth. This is why I selected to not think about different choices comparable to ePluto 7g or the Okinawa sequence.
I additionally favored the snug using place and plush suspension. It’s a breeze to trip in visitors. Rides with 2 folks on board are a breeze – actually, too, because the breeze is the one factor you will really feel given how silent it’s. I take care to honk as wanted in order that persons are not caught unawares.
Having owned the scooter for near 9 months, I need to say am very happy with the scooter. The vary has been 75 km as marketed (perhaps due to my comparatively mild construct) and I take care to not do sudden acceleration or braking, elements that may cut back the vary.
I obtained the primary service finished at about 7-8 months. Recommended is each 4 months or 4000 km. The service experience was wonderful and price about INR 700.
I had an accident a few weeks in the past once I misplaced steadiness as a result of again highway close to my condominium being dug up and shoddily patched. I took the scooter to the service heart. 3-4 physique elements wanted to get replaced, new stoppers wanted to be put in because the deal with/lock had obtained misaligned, and the brakes needed to be tightened. I considered claiming insurance coverage however for some motive determined they had been minor repairs and determined to not. Again the service experience was wonderful. 3 new physique panels, new stopper, brake tightening, together with labor value lower than INR 2500.
If there’s one factor I’m not very completely satisfied about, it is the tires. Somehow I really feel they’re of low high quality (regardless that MRF) and do not present sufficient grip. I’ve learn that the sudden torque may trigger early put on and tear of the tires, and I’ve been responsible of not sustaining ample tire stress at instances (the negatives of not having to go to petrol pumps), however I nonetheless really feel TVS ought to have offered tires with higher grip.
How a lot did the TVS iQube value
I booked the TVS iQube about 1 week earlier than they elevated the pricing by INR 5000, and a pair of weeks earlier than it was given extra FAME II subsidy of ~INR 14000.
I ended up paying INR 115000 together with registration and insurance coverage, and an extra INR 8250 for the moveable charger. I additionally put in a sidestep footrest for about INR 700.
How does TVS iQube look
The scooter bears a minimalistic look. Its dimensions remind one of many ICE Jupiter, however the DRL patterns make it stand out.
Front
The entrance has a U-shaped theme. The low beam and excessive beams are stacked. The indicators are housed within the console together with the DRL. DRL and indictors are moderately vibrant.
Side profile
The aspect profile is elegant. The lit ELECTRIC signal close to the rear suspension provides a pleasant contact.
(Image from the net)
Will add extra footage later.
How it rides
I’ve accomplished nearly 2,000 kms as of date. During this era, the next are my observations on the motor, trip and dealing with, and brakes.
Motor
The motor comes with a peak energy of 4.5 kW. Since it’s a hub-mounted motor, the torque is calculated in a different way from drive-mounted motors comparable to Ather’s.
When you activate the ignition:
- The headlights activate.
- The dashboard activates with the emblem of TVS accompanied by music round 10-12 seconds from the secret is turned on. At this time, you may press the brake and the using mode to begin the scooter (whereas the music continues).
To trip the scooter, depress the brake and press the mode swap. Then flip the throttle to speed up. Turn the throttle in the wrong way to use regenerative braking.
To swap between regular and energy modes, depress the brakes and press the trip mode button.
There’s additionally a reverse park help mode that lets you creep ahead/reverse at about 5 kmph.
Normal mode
The Normal mode restricts the speeds to round 45-48 kmph (was capable of hit 45 kmph) however is greater than ample in metropolis visitors. It has sufficient torque to tug on straight roads or inclines with two onboard. Ridden with a lightweight foot, the conventional mode provides me a spread of 70-80 km and may give an everyday rider round 70 km of real-world vary.
Power mode
The Power mode offers fast acceleration and elevated torque. Unlike ICE scooters, in EVs, the torque is on the market from the phrase go, so you will end up overtaking different scooters very quickly. Coupled with the silent trip, the trip appears like a knife working by way of butter.
Ride & dealing with
The TVS iQube handles moderately properly. The suspension is plush and cozy. However, this and the considerably skewed placement of the three battery packs implies that leaning round curves does not really feel as taut as balanced. Low-speed trip is fairly good. As I discussed, the brakes may very well be just a little higher and the tires might do with much more grip.
I’d put the trip high quality on par with the Jupiter and Activa, perhaps barely higher as a result of silent trip and absence of vibrations.
Brakes
The brakes are acceptable however may very well be higher. Given the sudden torque that EVs provide, having brakes too tight might give a jerky trip. I’m okay with the braking that the iQube provides.
Regenerative braking
Regen kicks in in case you flip the throttle within the reverse route. The sprint signifies the extent of regen. Hub mounted motors are supposed to supply greater regen than drive-mounted motors. To the conventional consumer, it does not matter a lot.
The interactive display screen & the App
The TVS iQube comes with a number of connectivity options together with geofencing. I have not explored these options a lot.
Home display screen
The house display screen offers a number of knowledge:
- Motor State
- Side Stand On indicator
- Engine Kill Switch State – ON/OFF
- Time
- ODO
- Speed
- Ride mode
- Estimated Range and Battery Charge %
- Ride mode which is at the moment on.
- Digital Speedo
Petrol vs electrical energy
The TVS iQube consumes about 3 kW of energy for a full cost and the vary you will get within the Normal mode (the mode by which the scooter is ridden by me) is 75 kms. The common value per unit (KW) of electrical energy is 7.5. The value of full cost is INR 20-25 bucks and the price per km is about 25 paisa.
- Cost per km = ~INR 0.25
- No of Kms finished = ~1000
- Charging value incurred = ~INR 450
- Servicing value incurred = ~INR 700
The identical variety of kms on the Activa or Jupiter with a mileage of roughly 35 kmpl and Petrol hovering round 105 could be:
- Fuel value = 1000/35 * 105 = Approx. INR 3000
- Maintenance value for 1000 km = (I’m guessing) Approx. 1000
Gross financial savings with solely electrical energy, gasoline, and upkeep prices considered is INR 2850 per 1000 km. If you do an avg of 5000 km per 12 months, it is best to save about INR 12000-14000 yearly. If you do an avg of 10000 km per 12 months, it is best to save about INR 25000 yearly.
Of course, you might want to exchange the battery after about 4-5 years – by which era the battery ought to nonetheless provide you with about 40-45 km vary, however by then you definitely’d have saved INR 50000 – 100000. If your each day run will not be greater than 60 km, then you may certainly think about an electric scooter.
Verdict
The iQube is an effective try by TVS. I’ve had a cheerful ownership experience to date. The Ather trumps it in some features, however the iQube does not really feel poorly put collectively in any method, and even outshines it within the trip and suspension division. While not constructed to scale just like the Ola S1 or S1Pro, it holds its personal by way of total high quality, match, and end. Backed by immediate after-sales and repair, the TVS iQube offers a compelling bundle for an electric scooter.
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