Ather 450X vs TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak: How The Three Electric Scooters Compare

January 2020 has seen a considerable number of electric vehicle launches in India. Among these, several capable electric two-wheelers have also made their public debuts. Ather Energy, a Bengaluru based electric vehicle maker now claims to have aced all of them with its latest launch - the 450X.

An upgraded version of the company¡¯s first electric scooter - 450, Ather 450X offers an improved range, performance, connectivity features and even new colour options. That is not only in comparison with the 450 but with the other electric scooters available in the market. A repeated claim made at its launch was that it is the quickest electric scooter available in the market to date.

That essentially means that the 450X can beat the other two major electric scooters launched this month - Bajaj Chetak Electric and TVS iQube, at least in performance. But does it? We have the performance numbers for all the three electric scooters and here is a quick comparison of the three based on their promised specifications.

Ather 450X launch

First Look

Before we proceed to compare the three electric scooters, a look at what is on offer here. Starting with Ather, the company has stuck to its modern-look for the 450X and the new launch essentially resembles the 450 in many ways. The sharp and angular design runs across the body of the 450X highlighted by body lines and LED headlamps and tail lamps.

Bajaj, on the other hand, went for a refreshing new design with the Chetak. The goal was to reintroduce the classic look of the Chetak scooter in a modern way and that becomes clear when you look at the round and curvy design with LED headlamp and turn indicators running across the length of the front.

TVS iQube sports the quirkiest of looks in these regards. The electric scooter retains the look of an IC engine scooter only to enhance it with cube-shaped highlights at the front and a string of square shaped lights both at the front and the back.

Bajaj Chetak Electric

Battery

The biggest challenge for electric two-wheelers in India is the range anxiety. New offerings in the category, however, aim to eliminate this with ample range through a potent battery. Ather worked on this by redesigning its existing battery pack for the 450X. The new 2.9 kWh battery pack on the 450X is now able to offer a range of 85 km on a single charge.

In comparison, the TVS iQube comes with a 2.2 kWh pack for a range of 75 km, while the Bajaj Chetak electric is equipped with a 3 kWh pack for a claimed range of 95 km on a single charge.

Charging

Correspondingly, the two electric scooters other than the 450X claim a total charging time for their batteries to be around 5 hours. The 450X, on the other hand, needs 5 hours 45 minutes for a complete charge through a home charger.

TVS iQube

Performance

As for what powers the three electric scooters, the Ather 450X is backed by the highest capacity electric motor among the three. A 6 kW motor that produces a peak torque of 26 Nm and claims to be the quickest scooter in India as of now. The promised acceleration for this title is 0 to 60 kmph in 6.5 seconds, while the top speed is expected to be anywhere north of 80 kmph.

In comparison, TVS iQube comes with a 4.2 kWh electric motor while the Bajaj Chetak electric sports a 4 kW motor. These limit the top speed of the scooters to 75 kmph and 65 kmph respectively.

Price

Ather has launched the 450X for a starting price of Rs 1,49,000 for the 450X Plus variant while the 450X Pro will cost Rs 1,59,000 to the buyers. In addition, the company offers subscription plans in which users can switch between the two variants at any point of time.

In contrast, Bajaj Chetak Electric is priced at Rs 1 lakh for the Urbane variant while the Premium model costs Rs 1.15 lakh. TVS iQube retails at a similar price point of Rs 1.15 lakh. Here is a comparison of numbers associated with all the three electric scooters:

Ather 450X vs TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak specs comparison

To check out a comparison of all the electric scooters in India, click here.