TVS iQube Electric: Concerns And Solutions

We list down all the issues with the iQube and the possible solutions 

We recently spent a decent amount of saddle time on the TVS iQube Electric and came back thoroughly impressed. It may not be a looker, but it sure as hell packs some punch and an impressive feature list. Having said that, no two-wheeler comes without its quirks, and the iQube isn’t any different. Here are a few possible scenarios where we felt that potential buyers would be stumped and the ways they could go about ridding themselves of the feeling.

Dealership reach limited to Bengaluru

TVS Motors launched the iQube exclusively in Bengaluru, which would be its proving grounds for the next couple of months. It’s the perfect city to start things off thanks to its growing EV population and the accompanying infrastructure. However, this means folks from other cities won’t be able to get their hands on the iQube just yet. 

Solution:

TVS intends to take its learnings from the garden city and enter two new metropolises by mid-2020. Following this, the brand will launch its products across cities like Pune, Trivandrum, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi (in no particular order). Although Chennai and Trivandrum seem more likely to top the list in terms of priority. The company has already set up 10 charging stations at dealerships across Bengaluru. And the same formulae will be applied for all subsequent cities.

Security issues with the charging cable

One major drawback to TVS’ charging solution is the charging cable itself. It’s not fixed to the home charger, which means it can get stolen fairly easily. As a precautionary measure though, the app sends out an alert when it detects any interruptions in the charging process.

Solution:

TVS is aware of the issue and is working on a new cable, where the check unit is mounted in the boot, making it impossible to get away with the cable. The improved wall charger will also have a fixed charging cable that can’t be yanked out. To add to this, there will be a new locking mechanism in place which will be integrated into the industrial connector. 

How do you charge the vehicle in the absence of a home charging unit?

TVS provides an additional adaptor with a regular 5A socket, which couples with the industrial connector. However, TVS recommends you charge the scooter via the home charger as there could be problems with the quality of power sent to the batteries along with earthing-related issues.

Currently, the home charging unit is offered free of charge, however, TVS says it will put a price on the unit very soon along with installation charges. In other words, expect to shell out an additional Rs 7,000 for the home charger and around Rs 2,400 for getting it fixed.

Removing the rear wheel isn’t child’s play, plus it’s prone to damage

The iQube’s Bosch motor is mounted on the rear wheel, making it prone to damage, especially considering the state of Indian roads. That said, it’s a well-constructed unit and should be able to take a beating.

The second concern is the removal of the rear wheel in case of a tyre change. The wheel is held together by an axle (just like motorcycles), which should be fairly simple to remove, however, the coupling that draws power from the battery is placed towards the front side of the seat. Essentially, you’re required to remove the battery panel, decouple the connector, and then remove the rear wheel. We’d leave this to the specialists if we were you.