TVS iQube review, road test

A full road test reveals what is perhaps the most tempting EV offering out there.

Published on Jul 29, 2021 08:00:00 AM

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The iQube can be ridden in standing water up to a depth of half a foot. Components are IP67 rated.

Storage not big enough for a full-face helmet. Gets a USB charge slot.

With the latest FAME 2 subsidy increase, the iQube now costs much closer to 125cc scooters. In Delhi, where there is an additional subsidy available, it costs Rs 1 lakh, on-road. That makes this the first high-quality two-wheeler EV in India that is a legitimate rival to established petrol-powered scooters.

What TVS really has to work on now is availability and the customers should come running. It’s currently available only in Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore and Delhi, although TVS says that it will expand to 20 cities by March 2022.

The LED tail-light is bright and features the same wraparound design like the headlight.

A family friendly design, an incredibly low running cost, a reasonably realistic range for daily city commutes, and the competitive price tag are things that can’t be ignored. If you also factor in the performance, ride quality and the TFT display, the TVS iQube is a no-brainer.

OWNERSHIP COSTS

To give you an idea, the TVS iQube has an approximate running cost of around Rs 0.3 per km, while a petrol-scooter costs closer to Rs 1.8 per km. The difference is so huge that you would end up saving roughly Rs 15,000 once you covered 10,000km and Rs 75,000 after 50,000km on the iQube. This amount is calculated based on the electricity and fuel consumption costs; EVs are also much more affordable in terms of service costs because there are no oils and filters that need changing. The battery is warranted for 3 years/50,000km, which should be reassuring for most typical scooter users.