Electric Scooters With Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) In India

A decade ago, electric vehicles were seen as the future of mobility, but two major concerns slowed their adoption, limited charging infrastructure and high upfront costs. While charging networks have improved significantly over time, affordability remained a challenge for many buyers. To address this issue, manufacturers introduced Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), a model that separates the battery cost from the vehicle price and lowers the initial purchase cost and this has now been introduced with electric scooters as well.

Under the BaaS model, customers can buy a scooter while paying a monthly subscription fee for the battery. This makes EV ownership more accessible and reduces concerns regarding battery replacement and long-term maintenance. Here are some electric two-wheelers in India currently offering BaaS plans. Meanwhile, make sure to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp Channel to never miss any automotive updates.

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TVS Orbiter V1

The TVS Orbiter V1 was recently launched at Rs. 84,500 (ex-showroom, inclusive of subsidy). However, under the BaaS model, customers can purchase the scooter at an introductory price of Rs. 49,999. Monthly subscription plans start from Rs. 862 depending on the tenure and usage plan. The scooter comes with a 1.8kWh battery pack offering a claimed IDC range of 86 km. It has two ride modes as well: Eco and City. TVS also offers benefits such as unlimited monthly usage and an extended warranty of up to 5 years or 70,000 km under the BaaS scheme.

The scooter has a minimalist design and comes with an 845 mm long seat to accommodate two riders comfortably. It has a floorboard area of 290 mm and a ground clearance of 164 mm. It also gets a 34 L storage space that can accommodate two helmets. The feature list includes cruise control, hill hold assist, and reverse parking assist. TVS has also provided a front-mounted charging port along with additional storage space for small items like a phone.

Ather Rizta

The Ather Rizta was launched at a starting price of Rs. 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom). Under Ather's Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, customers can purchase the scooter at a lower upfront cost by opting for subscription-based battery plans. The company offers flexible pay-per-km and monthly subscription options depending on the rider's usage pattern.

The scooter is available with two battery pack options: 2.9kWh and 3.7kWh. The claimed IDC range stands at up to 160 km for the larger battery variant. It offers two ride modes: Smart Eco and Zip. Ather also provides benefits such as battery warranty coverage, roadside assistance, and access to its fast-charging network under selected plans.

The scooter features a family-oriented design and comes with a spacious seat suitable for two riders. It offers one of the largest under-seat storage capacities in the segment at 56 L, which is capable of accommodating two helmets. The scooter also gets a wide floorboard and a comfortable upright riding posture for daily commuting.

The feature list includes a TFT touchscreen display, navigation support, auto hold, reverse assist, and smartphone connectivity. Ather has also provided features such as WhatsApp notifications, Alexa integration, and access to the Ather Grid fast-charging network.

Hero Vida VX2 Go & VX2 Plus

Hero MotoCorps Vida brand also offers the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model with the Vida VX2 lineup. The Vida VX2 Go is priced at Rs. 78,000 (2.2kWh), while the Vida VX2 Plus costs Rs. 99,000 (ex-showroom, inclusive of subsidy).

Under the BaaS model, the upfront prices reduce substantially. The Vida VX2 Go can be purchased at Rs. 45,000 for the 2.2kWh variant and Rs. 60,000 for the 3.4kWh variant, while the VX2 Plus costs approximately Rs. 70,000. The company also offers flexible monthly subscription plans depending on battery usage and tenure, making the scooters more accessible to urban commuters.

The electric scooters come with removable battery packs and offer a claimed range of 92 km and 142 km suitable for daily city commuting. The VX2 Go is positioned as the more affordable variant, while the VX2 Plus offers additional range and features. Both scooters get multiple ride modes for a balance between efficiency and performance. Hero also provides benefits such as battery warranty coverage, roadside assistance, and connected services under selected BaaS plans.

The electric scooters feature a practical design with a spacious seat for comfortable two-up riding. They get a flat floorboard, good ground clearance, and practical storage of 27L and 33 L for daily usability. The design focuses on easy handling and rider comfort.

The feature list includes a digital instrument console, smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and reverse assist. Hero has also equipped the scooters with OTA updates, and connected features through the VIDA mobile application.

Ather 450 Series

The Ather 450 series was launched at a starting price of Rs. 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant. Under Ather's Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, customers can purchase the scooter at a lower upfront cost by opting for subscription-based battery plans. The company offers flexible pay-per-km and monthly subscription options based on riding usage and tenure.

The scooter lineup comes with battery pack options ranging from 2.9kWh to 3.7kWh, offering a claimed IDC range of up to 150 km. It offers multiple ride modes including Smart Eco, Ride, Sport, and Warp depending on the variant. Ather also provides benefits such as battery warranty coverage, roadside assistance, and access to its fast-charging network under selected plans.

The Ather 450 series features a sporty and futuristic design with a well-padded seat suitable for urban commuting. It gets a spacious floorboard, sharp body panels, and practical storage options. The scooter is designed to offer agile handling and quick acceleration for city riding.

The feature list includes a touchscreen dashboard with navigation support, smartphone connectivity, reverse assist, auto hold, and Bluetooth integration. Ather has also equipped the scooter with features such as Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp notifications, OTA updates, and access to the Ather Grid fast-charging network.

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