The automotive world in India has been waiting with bated breath for Hero MotoCorp to enter the fast-expanding electric scooter segment. With Bajaj and TVS already getting a head start among the legacy manufacturers, it was a matter of time before the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer dipped its toes in the water. Hero seems to be aware of how big of a deal its entry into the segment is, and aptly launched its new electric brand, Vida with great pomp and a focus on not being the first, but the best in the business.
With Vida, Hero MotoCorp has partnered with Taiwanese battery and scooter maker Gogoro, to make a series of battery-swappable electric scooters that should prove to be the brand’s USP in this crowded segment. The focus is on environmental values and sustainability, with a lot of time spent on Hero’s commitment to the future of the world.
The launch was headlined with the showcase of Vida’s first electric scooter, which will be available in two variants. The Vida V1 will start at ₹1.45 lakh for the V1 Plus model, and go up to ₹1.59 lakh for the V1 Pro model. The major difference between the two models is the increased range and performance in the Pro variant. Both variants come with a removable swappable battery. The V1 Pro gets a 3.94 kWh battery while the V1 Plus gets a smaller 3.44 kWh unit. There are four ride modes - Sport, Ride, Eco & Custom. The different batteries mean different range figures as well, with the V1 Pro offering 165km of range while the V1 Plus goinf up to 143km (both IDC figures). According to Hero, these are class topping range figures. With a power figure of 6kW, the V1 scooter can go from 0-40kmph in 3.2 seconds, upto a top speed of 80kmph.
The scooters have a distinctly unique and futuristic design, with sharp edges and creases all around. The headlight and taillight are both LED units with sophisticated design. Overall, the scooter gives an impression of being light and nimble, which very few electric scooters manage.
The scooter is packed with tech, including segment firsts. There is a 7-inch touchscreen, along with cruise control, a two-way throttle for reverse, keyless control and an SOS feature. Vida is very confident about the strength of its package as a whole, which would include the scooters as well as the services attached to it. This includes the charging network, on-site repair service, cloud-based features and customisation among others. Hero MotoCorp's Pawan Munjal said, "We had to get Vida absolutely right for the greater good of everyone. We were driven by the overwhelming mission to be right. We must redesign the entire value system & ecosystem of a product to have a meaningful result for the future of our planet."
The Vida V1 Plus and V1 Pro will compete with established rivals not just from the legacy players, such as the Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube, but also the startup heroes, such as the Ather 450X, Ola S1 Pro and Simple One. Bookings will start from October 10, at a price of ₹2499, and deliveries begin in December. With a price tag of ₹1.45 lakh, the Vida V1 has to prove that it has enough USPs to be a more attractive proposition than its rivals, and Hero Motocorp hopes its done enough with the time it has taken.