TVS launches electric scooter

TVS Motor Company launched its first electric scooter, Scooty Teenz Electric, here today.

Run on the Valve-Regulated-Lead-Acid (VRLA) battery, the vehicle is powered by a 800 watt motor and can carry up to 130 kg of load.

It can deliver an average range of 40 km per nine hours of battery charge. The maximum speed the vehicle can clock is 40 kmph.

Addressing a press conference, TVS general manager (marketing) S Srinivas said the electric vehicle's target segment is teenage girls who use vehicles to travel short distances ranging between 15-25 km per day.

The vehicle has been released in three colours -- red, black and lilac -- and has motif-based graphics that appeal to feminine tastes.

Apart from puncture-resistant tyres and extra storage space, the two-wheeler is equipped with a mobile charger. Additional features include range selector and low charge indicator.

Explained Srinivas: 'While the range selector allows the rider to switch from economy to power mode, the low-charge indicator warns the rider about low battery in advance. The average cost per km will work out to 80 paisa.'

The ex-showroom price of the vehicle is Rs 29,900 in Karnataka and the on-road price will be around Rs 34,000.

Though Scooty Teenz Electric has given TVS Motor Company the first mover advantage in an era where alternate-fuels and zero-emissions have become the favourite phrases, there are many hurdles to be crossed. The first major problem pertains to battery life.

According to industry watchers, the life span of a battery is 8,000-10,000 km or about 18 months. If the battery of Scooty Teenz Electric has to be replaced, its owner has to shell out Rs 8,000. That, in a way, neutralises the savings made on the fuel front.

However, Srinivas countered: "Battery technology is still in the early stages in India. Battery-related innovations are happening in a big way, we will adopt whatever is viable to us in future."

Secondly, easy availability of plug-in points is another problem. For, every time the vehicle runs out of battery, the owner is forced to get back home to get the vehicle charged.

Though establishing plug-in points at various locations in the city can ease the problem, it is unlikely to take off unless the number of electric scooters the roads go up significantly.

Thirdly, the price of the vehicle is not within the reach of the middle-class. But Srinivas said the price can be reduced if the governments announce subsidy for it under the renewable energy category. The Chhattisgarh government has already announced Rs 8,000 subsidy as the vehicle is environment-friendly, we expect other states to follow suit.'

TVS hopes to sell 40,000 units during the current year.

TVS is also planning to roll out its first 100 cc scooter for men by the end of this year. TVS, of late, has been facing the heat of competition as its motorbike sales has been skidding against Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto.