TVS Motor Company has launched a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model across its electric scooter range. This initiative aims to reduce the initial cost of electric mobility, helping the company capture a larger share of the fast-growing entry-level electric two-wheeler segment. Under this model, customers can buy a scooter without the battery and instead opt for a monthly battery subscription.
Subscription plans start at just ₹862 per month. They include battery assurance for up to five years or 70,000 km, along with unlimited usage during the subscription period. Industry experts believe this approach addresses a major barrier to EV adoption—high upfront costs. By separating the battery from the vehicle cost, TVS improves affordability and offers flexibility in ownership.
TVS is not alone in this strategy. Competitors such as Ather Energy and Hero MotoCorp have also explored battery leasing or subscription models for certain electric products, particularly targeting first-time buyers.
Alongside the new BaaS model, TVS has introduced the TVS Orbiter V1, priced at ₹49,999 (ex-showroom Delhi, including PM e-Drive subsidy) under the BaaS plan. Without the battery subscription, the scooter is priced at ₹84,500. The Orbiter V1 features a 1.8 kWh battery, offering a certified IDC range of 86 km on a single charge. The battery can be charged from 0 to 80% in approximately two hours and 20 minutes.
The new TVS Orbiter V1 complements the more expensive TVS Orbiter V2, which has a larger 3.1 kWh battery. This dual offering allows TVS to target both entry-level and higher-range electric scooter buyers.
The launch occurs during a period of rapid expansion in India’s electric two-wheeler market. Manufacturers like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, and Chetak are intensifying competition, especially in the sub-₹1 lakh segment. Notably, Ola Electric and Chetak have not yet introduced BaaS models, giving TVS a unique positioning in the market.