If you buy an electric two wheeler today, chances are they will come with the luxury of smart connected features including a big screen display, bluetooth connectivity, navigation system and a keyless ride.
Most OEMs are targeting the young buyers for electric two wheelers and elevating the technology pitch to showcase their aspirational products.
TVS Motor Company, which recently launched its new high performance EV called ‘X’, is also targeting the Gen-Z with its technology-high features.
Away from a traditional scooter body style, X is being touted as a ‘crossover’ of scooter and motorcycle. Far away from similarities with the existing iQube, X is built on a new platform and TVS said its in-house R&D team made significant contributions to the development of this technologically advanced product and its electronic and software architecture.
With the connectivity and features intact, TVS X gives a touch and feel of a premium two wheeler. However, the catch with the newly- launched TVS X is its steep price tag of INR 2.5 lakh. This is also the most expensive two wheeler in the electric scooter category and will not be considered for FAME subsidy, as it exceeds the price bracket of INR 1.5 lakh.
While most electric scooters are priced in the range of INR 1 lakh -1.5 lakh, TVS’ new offering is aiming to build up a niche with a new segment. The confidence comes through the product as its a TVS, however, if the X gets the X factor for the Indian consumer, can be decided only by the driving performance, when the vehicle is available for a ride.
Boasting of technology features, the company showcased that the vehicle gets the biggest dashboard in the electric scooter category, a 10.2-inch TFT touchscreen with tilt adjustment to ensure comfortable rider visibility. The screen lets the rider live video stream, play on board games and even browse the web, all when the vehicle is stationary at a signal or elsewhere. It also allows live location sharing, call and message straight from the cluster, and provides an onboard navigation system called NavPro.
Built on a cast aluminum alloy frame as its centerpiece, it is equipped with single-channel ABS, which makes it the first in the electric scooter segment. Other features in the two-wheeler include hill-hold, cruise control, and reverse assist. The EV is offered in 3 riding modes of Xtealth, Xtride and Xonic as standard.
X gets a four-element LED headlamp. The company also boasts of the Ram air cooled motor as opposed to existing forced convection cooling methods, to allow dynamic cooling for critical parts.
The automaker’s latest offering X is a big attempt to showcase a unique form factor which will “redefine the vision of TVS”, with its innovation. The company wants to define X by its design, performance and connected technology. It is also targeting developed markets for its EVs with this launch.
TVS offers a keyless ride with X where the two-wheeler can be accessed in multiple ways — via app, smartwatch, and the display screen. The new-gen Honda Activa 6G also comes with a keyless feature.
Ola Electric, which is the largest selling electric two wheeler in the market, offers its S1 electric scooter with a 3.5 inch display. Ather Energy’s 450X comes with a 7-inch TFT dashboard, with a touchscreen. Both the scooters also provide navigation system. Hero MotoCorp’s Vida gets a 7-inch TFT, an HMI having a touchscreen enabled Over The Air (OTA).
With multiple innovations happening in the space, the user is only spoilt for choice. Another innovation in the electric two wheeler segment was by the Mumbai-based startup Liger Mobility, which earlier showcased a self-balancing feature in its production-ready model of electric scooter. The company said it uses AI algorithms to dynamically shift the Center of Gravity of the vehicle in order to ensure that it stays balanced. The model gets a 5-inch TFT screen.
Safety innovation for two-wheelers
In 2006, the Japanese automaker Honda offered airbag technology on its GoldWing Tourer. Come 2023, unlike the passenger vehicles, the technology has not been able to penetrate deeper and is still only available on that one model.
However, the airbag cannot help lessen the severity of injuries in all cases. The Motorcycle Airbag System only deploys in a severe frontal collision when forces over a preset value are detected. In principle, it should not deploy during collisions from the side or rear, nor during falls.
While such innovations could be a reality for the mass market some years down the line, currently they have their own set of limitations pertaining to the rider size and the dynamics of the driving behaviour.
Launched at INR 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), the new TVS EV comes with a 4.44kWh dual battery pack. With a host of new technology offerings, the company is targeting the Gen-Z and sees X as leading its premium growth strategy in India and international markets. Further, it aims to become a global mobility firm and plans to introduce multiple EV products by the next year and a half. Currently, about 20% of TVS scooters sales are electric, which is expected to double in the next two years.
According to Vahan data, Ola Electric sold nearly 19,000 units in July, solidifying its position as the market leader with an approximate market share of 40%. The company’s sales performance also reflects a year-on-year growth of 375% compared to the corresponding period last year.
