The electric scooter category in India is expanding rapidly with enticing products arriving consistently
TVS had launched the Orbiter electric scooter in India to take on the likes of Hero Vida V2 and Honda Activa Electric. In the last couple of years, customers have really welcomed EVs in this category too. In a way, it makes perfect sense since more scooter users ride them for local and urban commute only. It ensures that they will most likely need to charge it once a week. Charging has been one of the biggest challenges among electric cars and two-wheelers. For now, let us take a look at the details of what this new electric scooter brings to the table.
TVS Orbiter Electric Scooter – Design and Styling
The first thing that hits you about the Orbiter is its boxy, angular silhouette. It doesn’t try to be curvy or svelte – instead, TVS has gone with straight lines, sharp edges, and functional surfaces. That said, there are modern elements that lift it above purely utilitarian design. The LED headlamp and LED DRLs recall something of a Tesla-esque minimalism, with clean lines and crisp lighting. The two-tone paint option adds visual interest, helping it stand out in traffic, while the split grab rail at the back is both stylish and useful.
TVS claims the Orbiter is the most aerodynamic scooter in its segment, and you can see why. There are subtle design tweaks that suggest wind-management has been thought through. The front visor, side fairings, and the way the tail tapers off help reduce drag, at least in principle. It looks modern without being overdone, and unlike many fully electric scooters that go for “futuristic” at the cost of mass appeal, Orbiter manages to strike a fairly safe middle ground. For many buyers, especially in Indian cities, that could be the sweet spot.
Features and Technology
Here TVS has clearly tried to punch above its price class. The Orbiter is loaded with features that you’d expect in premium scooters, but often don’t see in EVs under Rs 1-1.2 lakh.
- There’s a full infotainment screen with modern touchpoints; smartphone connectivity lets you stay linked, monitor battery status, trip data, etc.
- Geofencing is included, which is increasingly a must-have for vehicles in dense city areas or in a family setting.
- Cruise control and hill-assist are appreciated additions; hill-assist in particular is helpful in Indian traffic when starting off on an incline.
- For utility, TVS has included a Type-A USB port, a storage section for phone and wallet, and a hook for luggage. The 34-litre under-seat storage is generous. The wind visor also adds to comfort on longer rides.
All in all, the Orbiter doesn’t feel like a stripped-down entry EV. There are modern conveniences, safety and comfort features that support real-world usability, not just checklist specs.
Ride Impressions and Performance
This is where things get real. Specs on paper are one thing, but what counts is how it behaves on roads. With a 3.2 kWh battery pack and claimed range of 150 km, TVS positions the Orbiter well. In my riding (mixed city, some Traffic, a few stretches of outskirts), I was getting around 115 km under real-world conditions. That’s respectable, especially given what competing models offer. Lower rolling resistance tyres help eke out more range, though the trade-off in grip, especially in wet or sharply cornered patches, is noticeable.
Top speed works out to about 68 km/h. For its intended usage – inner city, suburban commuting – that’s acceptable. You won’t be highway cruising, but that’s not its mission. Braking is one area where I wish TVS had pushed further: they decided front disc brakes are not strictly necessary, given urban speeds and usage patterns. The consequence is braking feels serviceable, safe, but doesn’t inspire full confidence in all conditions. Given that many doors can open or pedestrians can dart out, more stopping power would have added peace of mind.
What shines is manoeuvrability. The scooter is relatively lightweight, well balanced, with a nimble feel around tight corners and in stop-start traffic. The 14-inch front tyre and 12-inch rear – which is a slightly non-standard pairing – work well to absorb bumps, maintain stability, and allow for planted ride at higher speeds. On smoother road or sweeping bend, it holds its line decently. However, on sharper turns or wet roads, grip from tyres could have been better.
Charging is practical with the 650 W charger, which takes it from 0-80% in about 4 hours, which means overnight or long workday charging works fine. The ride quality is smooth, motor delivers immediate torque (as expected in EVs), transitions are seamless, vibrations minimal. For new riders especially, Orbiter offers a confidence-building ride – easy to manage throttle, predictable behaviour.
TVS Orbiter Electric Scooter – Price
The Orbiter is priced at approximately Rs 1.05 lakh ex-showroom. Its direct rivals include the Honda Activa Electric and Hero Vida V2, both of which have strengths in their own right but may lag in some feature-to-price ratios that the Orbiter attempts to optimize. At this price, what the buyer is paying for is features, design, usable range and brand assurance from TVS.
Verdict
The TVS Orbiter electric scooter hits a sweet spot for urban commuters who want more than a bare-bones ride – those who care about features, style, usable range, and usability. For new riders especially, or those whose daily travel is in city and nearby suburbs, it offers a very compelling package. If TVS had offered a disc brake option up front and pushed tyre grip a bit more, it could’ve been a near-perfect commuter EV. As it stands, the Orbiter is not the most aggressive performance EV, but it doesn’t try to be. It aims for balanced practicality, and in that realm, it succeeds. For Rs 1 lakh, what you get is solid, modern, highly usable – definitely one to consider if you’re shopping in this space.
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