TVS iQube Road Test Review: The Right Family Electric Scooter?

The TVS iQube Electric won praise for being the practical and friendly electric scooter that everyone in the family could enjoy. This year, the Hosur-based bikemaker updated its EV with two new variants: S and the ST. While the latter is yet to reach dealerships, the mid ‘S’ variant has joined our fleet, and we have thoroughly tested it to see if this is all the electric scooter you need or should you wait for the ST. 

Bigger Battery = More Range

The highlight of the new iQube S is the bigger 3.04kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivering a claimed range of 100km. However, we managed to prove TVS wrong, and in a good way. I managed to achieve 114.76km on a single charge, almost 15km more than the claimed number. 

The biggest factor affecting the range is the enthusiastic regenerative braking system. As soon as you roll off the throttle, you can feel (and see) the regen system working its magic. Yes, it will take some time getting used to this as the iQube doesn't free-roll as a conventional scooter would. But once you get a hang of the system, you'll seldom feel the need to use brakes in the city. 

While we love the regen system and the fact that it covers more distance than what an everyday commute will demand, we would have appreciated a removable battery. Considering that TVS doesn't have its own charging network, having the option of taking the battery home and charging it would have made the process more convenient. 

Eco Mode

Another reason why the iQube delivers appreciable range is its Eco mode. TVS has tuned this mode in a way where there is adequate punch till you hit 32kmph, and only starts tapering thereafter. In fact, in Eco mode, you can go all the way to a speedo-indicated 50kmph (45kmph on the VBox). 

So, be it shooting off a signal, or making those quick overtakes in the city, you'll rarely feel the need to switch to Power mode. But when you do, you are in for a treat. 

Power Mode

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There is a slight increase in the kerb weight of the new iQube S compared to the previous model. And surprisingly, in spite of that, the new model is tad quicker than before. Of course, it still isn't as quick as the Ather 450X Or the Ola S1 Pro, but packs enough juice to make those small highway stretches that you might encounter on your way to work, comfortable. 

The VBox indicated top speed of 75kmph doesn't seem much, and even when the ST comes, it'll be just 4kmph more than this model. We wish TVS had added a bit more oomph to these two models. However, TVS could be playing it safe considering that this is a family-oriented electric scooter. Guess we'll have to wait for the Creon concept to take shape if we want a sporty electric scooter. 

Chassis, Suspension And Brakes

Now, nothing has changed in terms of hardware per se from the previous iQube. Same pliant suspension and reliable brakes are present here as well. The dual shocks can just take about anything you throw at it. It does feel a bit bouncy over larger bumps but nothing major to cause you any sort of discomfort. And most of that could be down to the massive unsprung mass at the rear of the hub motor. Because of this motor, you can feel the heaviness of the rear end especially when going through corners as well. 

Stopping performance is good, and there’s decent feedback at the levers too. Would ABS have helped? Yes, as the rear tends to lock up under hard braking but considering it is meant to be affordable, CBS seems to be adequate. 

Console and Features

The TVS iQube is certainly a heavy electric scooter, tipping the scales at almost 119kg. This heft can be felt when moving the scooter around parking places. Thankfully, TVS has given the e-scooter the convenience of Q-Park assist (reverse mode) which should ideally help you with moving the scooter in tight parking places. However, we have been facing some quality issues here. The biggest issue is that the Q-Park button gets stuck if you use it after riding in the rain. Once engaged, you can't switch to Eco or Power riding modes even after rebooting. So, your only option is to whack the button or use the key to gently get it out. 

Then there's the joystick. It has a weird sensitivity issue, wherein sometimes it takes multiple attempts to get it to do what you want. This takes away the fun from an otherwise clean and crisp UI. 

Verdict

The TVS iQube Electric S is priced at Rs 1.04 lakh on-road Delhi, including FAME-II subsidy and state subsidy. But with certain states calling off their subsidies, the scooter may be slightly expensive in your city.

(on-road Delhi, incl. FAME-II & State Subsidy) 

The iQube S builds upon an already likeable machine, making it an even more wholesome package with more range and impressive features. But what about the ST? Does it really make sense for you to wait for it? Well, if you need the big 32-litre underseat storage, more range and a touchscreen console, yes. But remember, you’ll have to shell out a fair sum over this variant.

But if you want a good electric scooter that everyone in the family can enjoy, and not worry about range, then the TVS iQube S is a good option.