India’s electric two-wheeler space is seeing rapid expansion, and manufacturers are now experimenting with the popular BaaS ownership models to make EVs more accessible. Recently, TVS Motor Company introduced the new TVS Orbiter V1 along with a Battery-As-A-Service (BaaS) option. The move puts it in direct competition with the Hero Vida VX2 from Hero MotoCorp’s electric brand Vida.
What is the BaaS ownership model ?
The BaaS system separates the cost of the battery from the vehicle itself. Instead of paying the full amount upfront, customers subscribe to the battery through a monthly plan. In the case of the Orbiter V1, these plans start from Rs 862 per month. The battery is also covered under extended warranty support as part of the subscription.
TVS Orbiter V1 vs Hero Vida VX2: Battery and range
Powering the Orbiter V1 is a 1.8 kWh battery pack. TVS claims a certified IDC range of 86 km on a single charge. Charging the battery from 0 to 80 percent takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes. The scooter also gets two riding modes: Eco and Power.Meanwhile, the Hero Vida VX2 is available in three main variants: Go, Go with a larger battery and Plus. The Go variant comes with a 2.2 kWh battery pack and a newly launched option of a 3.4 kWh battery, while the Plus variant gets only the 3.4 kWh battery option.
In terms of range, Hero claims that the Go variants deliver an IDC-certified range of 92 km and 142 km, while the Plus variant can travel up to 142 km on a full charge.
TVS Orbiter V1 vs Hero Vida VX2: Pricing
The TVS Orbiter V1 is now the most affordable electric scooter in TVS Motor’s portfolio. With the BaaS model, its starting price drops to Rs 49,999, ex-showroom. If you want to purchase the scooter with the battery included, you can opt for the standard purchase option priced at Rs 84,500, ex-showroom.Prices for the VX2 start at Rs 44,990, ex-showroom, for the Go variant under the BaaS plan and go up to Rs 94,800 lakh, ex-showroom, for the Plus variant when purchased with the batteries included. There is also a Go variant with the larger 3.4 kWh battery pack, priced at Rs 84,800 without BaaS and Rs 60,000 with the subscription model. The company also states that the scooter’s running cost can be as low as Rs 0.96 per kilometre.
