URBAN CHAOS TAMER

Is this the stylish, no-compromise EV the youth has been waiting for?

- By Yash Sunil Photographs Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

TVS has been on a strong EV journey, starting with the immensely popular iQube. The company then launched the TVS X, a performance-oriented and feature-rich electric scooter that, priced well outside the reach of the average consumer, never gained the widespread adoption of its sibling. This move made me wonder: was TVS getting lost on their EV journey? But now, with the Orbiter, TVS is returning to the formula that worked. This new scooter is aimed squarely at young commuters who want a balance of practicality, style, and affordability, an electric scooter that, in theory, orbits their lifestyle perfectly. But does it really?

That's what had me hooked. I was genuinely baffled. Why would TVS bother building a brand-new scooter from scratch when the iQube is already doing just fine? I mean, they didn't share a single part, not the chassis, not the battery pack, not even the motor. That's a huge gamble.

But here's the kicker, and the reason I couldn't stop thinking about it: the Orbiter isn't meant to be the iQube's little brother. It's a completely new animal. It's two kilos lighter, promises a longer 158 km range, and somehow achieves this with a smaller 3.1 kWh battery. This isn't just TVS 'dabbling' in a new scooter; they're betting big that the Orbiter can not only replicate the iQube's success but maybe even outshine it.