TVS Motor Unleashes Electric Scooter

TVS Motor Company rolled out its first electric scooter, Scooty Teenz Electric. Scooty Teenz Electric can deliver an average range of 40 km per nine hours of battery charge. The maximum speed the vehicle can clock is 40 kmph. Run on the Valve-Regulated-Lead-Acid (VRLA) battery, the vehicle is powered by a 800 watt motor and can carry up to 130 kg of load. The electric vehicle''s target segment is teenage girls who use vehicles to travel short distances ranging between 15-25 km per day.

The vehicle has been released in three colours -- red, black and lilac -- and has motif-based graphics that appeal to feminine tastes. Apart from puncture-resistant tyres and extra storage space, the two-wheeler is equipped with a mobile charger. Additional features include range selector and low charge indicator.

The ex-showroom price of the vehicle is Rs 29,900 in Karnataka and the on-road price will be around Rs 34,000. Though Scooty Teenz Electric has given TVS Motor Company the first mover advantage in an era where alternate-fuels and zero-emissions have become the favourite phrases, there are many hurdles to be crossed. The first major problem pertains to battery life. According to industry watchers, the life span of a battery is 8,000-10,000 km or about 18 months. If the battery of Scooty Teenz Electric has to be replaced, its owner has to shell out Rs 8,000. That, in a way, neutralises the savings made on the fuel front.

TVS Motor Forays Autorickshaw Mkt

Chennai: TVS Motor Company (TVSM) on March 9 formally unveiled its debutante autorickshaw TVS King, in LPG and petrol versions, marking its entry into the three-wheeler market. The on-road price of the vehicle ranges between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1.3 lakh, depending on the models and the State in which the vehicle is being sold. During 2008-09 the company WILL sell 30,000 units, which will comprise a four-stroke CNG version for places like Delhi. Within 18 months the company would notch up to 30 per cent market share. The company has created a dedicated facility, with an installed capacity of one lakh units per year at its Hosur factory, investing Rs 120 crore.

TVSM will be leveraging its existing distribution and service network in the country. TVS King will offer about 30 km per litre of petrol due to its new 200-cc, low friction 7-port engine. TVS King''s features comprise twin headlamps, large tail lamps, single larger area windshield with laminated glass. The interiors, which comprise instrument cluster, dual tone seats, bottle and magazine holders, are tweaked to match that of a car. TVSM has joined hands with few insurance companies for this and the policy would cover the owner and his family against medical care for up to Rs 30,000 per annum on a floater basis. The owner will additionally be covered by a personal accident policy for Rs 1 lakh.

TVS Mulls To Manufacture LPG & CNG Bikes

Ahmedabad: The TVS Motor Company having forayed the electric scooter segment, the company is planning LPG and CNG two wheelers. The company has been eyeing at LPG and CNG-run motorcycles, scooters and scooterettes. The company has its R & D centre at Hosur near Bangalore. The company''s first entry into alternative fuels has begun with ''Scooty Teenz Electric'' which will make its debut from Ahmedabad.

Rolled out from the company''s Mysore plant, the 800 watt scooter generates an average range of 40 kms per nine hours of charge. Priced at Rs 32,500 (ex-showroom Ahmedabad), the vehicle comes with a load carrying capacity of 130 kgs with a pillion rider. The company has decided to unveil the vehicle at Ahmedabad owing to the high concentration of two wheelers in the city and higher average of female riders.