TVS hybrid scooter iQube set for August 23 launch; know top features, expected price

TVS Motor is likely to launch its hybrid scooter iQube on August 23. The auto company has sent out 'block your date' invitation to journalists. Though the invitation doesn't mention anything about any product, it is likely that the firm will be launching its iQube scooter which it showcased during the 2014 Auto Expo.

Some of the features of the 109cc scooter include LED light, LED display, analogue speedometer and electric start system. It may come with two battery options - 150Wh and 500Wh. As per reports, the hybrid scooter runs on electric power up to the speed of 20 kmph while shifts to petrol engine for speed above this. The maximum speed of the scooty in 35kmph in pure electric mode while 75kmph on petrol engine. 

The front suspension is telescopic while the rear suspension is supported by hydraulic twin tube shock absorber. The scooty has some advanced features like individual cell monitoring and passive cell balancing, malfunction indicator, energy flow display, overcurrent protection and 64-bit encrypted vehicle immobiliser enable security system. The scooty claims to improve the fuel economy by up to 40 percent.  

The hybrid scooter has an electric motor combined with an internal combustion engine (ICE). The iQube scooter falls under government's FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India) scheme and is eligible for the subsidy and excise duty benefits. The government incentives for electric vehicles may help TVS price the scooter competitively.