The TVS Orbiter is the latest electric scooter from TVS Motor Company, unveiled on August 28, 2025. Priced at ₹99,900 (ex-showroom, inclusive of the PM e-Drive subsidy in Bengaluru), it slots below the TVS iQube as an entry-level EV for Indian city riders. The Orbiter sports a modern, minimalistic design with clean, straight lines and a high-mounted headlamp. Its body panels flow in a single smooth surface from apron to tail, giving it a distinctive side profile. A tall, tinted flyscreen and integrated 14-inch front wheel (an industry-first in its segment) enhance stability and practicality.
Figure: The TVS Orbiter’s commuter-style design features a straight-line floorboard, long flatform seat and a handlebar-mounted LED headlamp.
Under the seat, the Orbiter offers 34 liters of storage – large enough for two helmets – and a flat 845 mm long seat for rider comfort. The floorboard is a straight-line design about 290 mm deep, providing ample legroom. Ground clearance is a confident 169 mm when the Orbiter rides on its 14″ front and 12″ rear wheels. LED lighting includes an oval headlamp on the handlebar and a slim “RoboCop”-style LED strip on the apron (with integrated turn indicators), plus a neat LED tail lamp at the rear. The scooter will be offered in six dual-tone colors: Neon Sunburst, Stratos Blue, Lunar Grey, Stellar Silver, Cosmic Titanium and Martian Copper.
Motor, Battery and Performance
The TVS Orbiter is powered by a 3.1 kWh removable lithium-ion battery pack, the only battery option for this model. TVS claims an IDC range of 158 km on a single charge. In practice, independent estimates suggest a real-world range closer to 120 km per charge under normal riding conditions. The Orbiter’s motor is hub-mounted (on the rear wheel) and rated for a top speed of 68 km/h, matching typical city-scooter limits. (TVS has not disclosed the motor’s power output, but spec aggregators list it around 2.5 kW.) The scooter’s 14″ front wheel and 12″ rear improve straight-line stability and comfort, although a larger front wheel can slightly increase rolling resistance. Suspension is handled by telescopic forks at the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear, giving confident handling in urban traffic.
Range and Charging
The 3.1 kWh battery delivers a long range for the Orbiter’s class. TVS quotes up to 158 km (IDC) on a full charge, significantly more than many entry-level EV scooters. (For comparison, a TVS iQube with a 2.2 kWh battery offers about 94 km IDC.) The Orbiter supports regenerative braking, and has two ride modes (Eco and Power) to balance performance and efficiency. Charging details have not been fully revealed by TVS; a 650W portable charger (included with the scooter) can recharge to 80% in roughly 4–5 hours. No fast-charging option has been announced yet. The battery is not swappable, but it carries an IP67 rating for water resistance.
Features and Technology
The Orbiter comes packed with advanced features, some of which are segment firsts for TVS. Key technology highlights include:
- Connected App: The scooter links to a mobile app (SmartXonnect) for turn-by-turn navigation, OTA software updates and remote diagnostics. Riders can view battery level and mileage on their phone, and the LCD cluster displays incoming calls/SMS and navigation prompts.
- Safety Alerts: A comprehensive alert system notifies the rider of crashes/falls, towing, theft, and even time or geo-fence breaches. In an emergency, the scooter can send live location and emergency alerts.
- Riding Aids: The Orbiter has cruise control, automated hill-hold assist, and a reverse/parking assist mode – features usually found on higher-end EVs. If the scooter tips over, a fall-triggered motor cut-off prevents accidental acceleration.
- Display & Ergonomics: A colored LCD instrument cluster shows speed, battery, range, call alerts and custom notifications. The wide, upright handlebar and 845 mm flatform seat ensure a relaxed riding posture. The seat length and straight footboard emphasize comfort for two riders.
- Convenience: Extras include USB charging in the glovebox, dual-tone paint schemes, and LED lighting with an LED headlamp visor for style. Total under-seat storage is 34 liters (enough for two helmets).
Overall, the Orbiter focuses on utility and ease of use, bringing premium connected features (geo-fencing, fall alerts, live tracking) down to a mass-market price point.
Price, Booking and Availability
The TVS Orbiter debuted at ₹99,900 (ex-showroom) in Bengaluru (including the PM e-Drive subsidy). Across India, ex-showroom prices are expected to start around ₹1.00 lakh, implying an on-road price of roughly ₹1.10–1.15 lakh in major cities (depending on state taxes and insurance). Bookings opened immediately after the launch announcement; buyers can reserve the Orbiter online via TVS’s website or at TVS dealerships. TVS has not announced a booking amount or the exact delivery schedule, but festive-season availability is likely, given the late-August launch.
The Orbiter comes in six dual-tone colors and six variants (differentiated by minor feature or color changes). Initial availability will focus on major metros and existing TVS EV markets, with a wider rollout soon after. TVS aims to deliver the Orbiter by late 2025 in most cities, leveraging its dealer network.
Competition
At its price and feature set, the TVS Orbiter directly challenges other commuter-focused electric scooters. Its key rivals include:
- Ola S1 (and S1X): Ola’s scooters start around ₹1.05 lakh (ex-showroom for the S1X) up to ₹1.39 lakh (Pro version). They have larger batteries (3.0–3.97 kWh) and higher top speeds (~90–105 km/h), but the Orbiter undercuts them on price while offering a competitive 158 km range.
- Ather 450X (and new Rizta): Ather’s premium 450X (now rebranded as the 450X Rizta) costs about ₹1.4–1.6 lakh. It offers a 2.9 kWh battery with ~126 km range and a 90 km/h top speed. The Orbiter is slower and less powerful, but far cheaper, aiming at budget-conscious buyers.
- Bajaj Chetak (3501): The latest Bajaj Chetak (3501 model) features a 3.5 kWh battery (about 153 km range) and a top speed of 73 km/h. It is metal-bodied and retro-styled, priced around ₹1.25–1.40 lakh. The TVS Orbiter trades off premium build for affordability and modern connected tech.
- Hero Vida/VX2: Hero MotoCorp’s Vida VX2 costs around ₹90,000 (ex-showroom) with a 3.3 kWh battery (~130 km range). The Orbiter’s range is higher (158 km), and it adds hill-hold and cruise control that the Vida lacks.
In summary, the Orbiter undercuts established EVs on price while offering a long range and segment-first features like the 14″ wheel, cruise control and hill-hold. It’s aimed at urban families and commuters who need a practical, well-equipped scooter without the premium price tag.
Official Sources
TVS Motor Company’s official launch press release (August 28, 2025) provides the baseline specifications and highlights: 158 km range, 3.1 kWh battery, 14″ front wheel, cruise control, hill-hold, 34L bootspace, etc.. Media reports (NDTV Auto, India Today, Autocar India, Times of India, Hindustan Times, etc.) have confirmed these details and added context on design and features. The Orbiter will be available for booking immediately across India, with deliveries expected during the festive season of 2025.
Sources: TVS Motor Company Press Release; industry news outlets.
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