TVS Orbiter Long-term Review – Introduction

Introduction

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone says 'EV'? Chances are, speed. Instant torque, quick acceleration, and darting through traffic are usually the traits associated with electric vehicles. Well, this EV might make you think otherwise.

After retiring the Ather 450X from its long-term stint, the TVS Orbiter has rolled into our garage for the next EV chapter. And no, the opening of this report wasn't random. While the Orbiter is very much an electric scooter, being fast is not necessarily its strongest suit. In fact, that's one of the first things I noticed, and something I'll dive deeper into over the coming months.

That said, speed is only one part of the ownership experience. There is a lot more to living with an EV on a daily basis, especially in a city like Mumbai/ Navi Mumbai. And that's exactly what I intend to find out.

Specs

The scooter we have is the top-spec V2 variant finished in Neon Sunburst. It is powered by a 3.1kWh battery pack and has a claimed range of 158km on a single charge. TVS says a complete charge from zero to 80 per cent takes approximately four hours using the supplied charger.

As for performance, the Orbiter has a claimed top speed of 69kmph. Yes, that's precisely why I started this report the way I did. In a market where electric scooters are increasingly chasing higher speeds and quicker acceleration, the Orbiter takes a different approach.

The Plan

For the next three months, the TVS Orbiter will be my daily commuter whenever I am not behind the wheel of a car. It is an interesting time to be riding a two-wheeler, and even more so when it is powered by an electric drivetrain.

Mumbai is on the verge of entering the full-blown monsoon season, which means the TVS Orbiter will have to deal with waterlogged roads, traffic snarls, slippery surfaces, and everything else that comes with daily commuting in the city. That makes this long-term test even more relevant.

Over the next few reports, we will evaluate its real-world range, top-speed performance, ride comfort, seating ergonomics, practicality, service experience and day-to-day usability. We will also highlight its strengths, point out its shortcomings, and most importantly, answer the question of who this scooter is really meant for.

Every aspect will get its dedicated spotlight in the upcoming reports, both in the city and out on the highway. So keep an eye on the reviews section of BikeWale as we put the TVS Orbiter through its paces.

Photographs by Kaustubh Gandhi