TVS iQube Electric vs Bajaj Chetak vs Ather 450: Electric Scooters Compared
- by Benjamin Gracias
- Jan 25, 2020
- | Views: 35444
We compare India’s most premium electric scooters on paper
After Bajaj, another major bikemaker, TVS has launched its iQube Electric scooter in India. The new electric scooter offers premium build quality and features similar to its direct rivals, the Bajaj Chetak and Ather 450. While we wait for a full-blown comparison between the three electric scooters, here is an on-paper comparison to see which one fares best.
Range:
| TVS iQube Electric | Chetak | Ather 450 | |
| Battery capacity | 2.2kWh | 3kWh | 2.7kWh |
| Range | 75km in Eco mode | 95km in Eco mode | 75km in Eco mode |
| 85km in Sport mode | 55km in Sport mode | ||
| Charge time | 5 hours - Full charge (5amp socket) | 5 hours - Full charge (5amp socket) | 5.30 hours - Full charge (Dot) 4 hours 20min - 0-80 per cent |
| 3.5 hours - 80 per cent | 1 hour - 80 per cent (Fast Charger) |
The range of an electric scooter is a very important factor in the buying decision as charging is not as quick as filling up a petrol scooter at a fuel pump. Not yet. So range and charge time are two vital aspects besides performance. Here the Bajaj Chetak offers the most range followed by TVS iQube and the Ather 450. Ather will soon launch a more powerful 450X, which with its bigger battery should be able to match the Chetak on range. While the Chetak and iQube do not get a fast charger, the 450 comes with one and should be able to charge fully in a fraction of the time taken by the other two.
Also read: Bajaj Chetak: All The Important Details
Performance:
| TVS iQube Electric | Chetak | Ather 450 | |
| Motor | 4.5kW | 4.08kW | 5.4kW |
| Torque | 140Nm (at the wheel) | 16Nm | 20.5Nm |
Chetak offers the least amount of performance. Bajaj says that its electric motor is capable of crossing 120kmph but performance has been restricted to extract more range. The Ather 450 manages to offer a good balance between performance and range.
Underpinnings:
| TVS iQube Electric | Chetak | Ather 450 | |
| Front suspension | Telescopic | Trailing link | Telescopic |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Front brake | Disc | Disc | Petal Disc |
| Rear brake | Drum | Drum | Petal Disc |
| Wheel size | 12-inch at both ends | 90/90 12-inch at both ends | 90/90 12-inch at both ends |
The Ather offers a composed ride quality to glide over bumps and potholes. We are yet to ride the Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube Electric to ascertain their ride and handling characteristics on the road. We will be doing so soon. For braking, the Chetak might miss out on a rear disc brake but has regenerative braking, which charges the battery whenever you brake. According to the manufacturer, this tech adds 2.8m to the range every time you go from 60-0kmph. Ather and TVS also offer this tech but they have not revealed how much range can be extracted.
Features:
Given its premium positioning, the three scooters come with a host of features including LED lighting. While the Chetak gets a digital instrument console, the iQube and 450 get colour-TFT displays. Both TVS and Ather have gone a step forward and equipped their scooters with additional tech like geo-fencing and navigation assist.
Pricing and availability:
| Pricing (ex-showroom) | TVS iQube Electric | Chetak | Ather 450 |
| Rs 1.15 lakh (on-road) | Rs 1 lakh (Urbane) |
Rs 1.07 lakh (ex-showroom Bengaluru)
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| Rs 1.15 lakh (Premium) |
All three electric scooters are similarly priced. While both TVS and Bajaj have a wider dealership reach across India, the iQube and Chetak will be easily available at most local showrooms. The Ather 450 is currently available in Bengaluru and Chennai and will be sold in Pune next. So if you do not live in any of these three cities, you might have to wait to buy the Ather 450.