Best Electric Scooters Under Rs 1.2 Lakh in India 2026: Ather Konarc vs Simple Wave vs Vida VX2 vs Chetak vs iQube

The Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh bracket is now the busiest corner of India's electric scooter market. Ather and Simple Energy both launched new family scooters here in late August and early September 2026, and they now sit beside the Vida VX2, Bajaj Chetak C25, TVS Orbiter, TVS iQube 2.3 kWh and Ola S1 X. This guide compares them on price, battery, claimed range, top speed and charging time, then works out what an electric scooter really costs per km against a 110cc petrol scooter.

We covered the Honda QC3 against the iQube, Rizta and Chetak on 3 October, and EV road tax by state on 6 October. This piece is for the buyer with a hard ceiling of Rs 1.2 lakh ex-showroom. All prices below are BikeWale average ex-showroom figures checked on 11 October 2026 unless we say otherwise. Your city's price, state incentives, insurance and registration will change the final on-road number.

Which electric scooters can you buy under Rs 1.2 lakh in 2026?

Two notes before you compare. First, range figures are claimed IDC numbers measured in lab conditions. Real city range is usually 20 to 30 percent lower, which is why Ather also quotes a TrueRange of 80 km for the Konarc S 100. Second, the Ather Rizta S 2.9 kWh is listed at Rs 1,21,134, just above our ceiling, so it is worth a look if you can stretch a little.

Ather Konarc vs Simple Wave: which new launch is better value?

The Ather Konarc launched on 29 August 2026 at about Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom Bengaluru) for the S 100 variant, per Autocar India. It uses a 2.1 kWh battery, claims 100 km IDC (80 km TrueRange), and tops out at 70 kmph. On a standard home charger it reaches 80 percent in 4 hours, or 2 hours with Ather's combined charging setup. The bigger S 125 (2.7 kWh) at about Rs 1.22 lakh just misses our budget. BikeWale also reports a Delhi introductory price of Rs 79,999 including the applicable subsidy, so check your city's offer before you book.

The Simple Wave launched on 2 September 2026 at Rs 1,09,999 (ex-showroom Bengaluru) for the 2.2 kWh WaveS. It claims 110 km IDC and a higher 75 kmph top speed. Simple Energy has not officially confirmed charging times for this variant on the listings we checked. If you want a familiar service network, Ather is the safer pick. If you want a bit more claimed range and speed for about Rs 9,000 more, the Wave makes a case, though Simple's dealer footprint is smaller.

Whichever you choose, a scooter parked outdoors needs a combination lock for the helmet left on the hook. A heavy-duty 4-digit helmet lock costs less than one service visit.

Is the Vida VX2 battery subscription (BaaS) worth it?

Hero's Vida VX2 Go has the lowest entry ticket here if you rent the battery. At launch in July 2025, Vida priced the VX2 Go at Rs 59,490 (ex-showroom Delhi) with Battery as a Service, against Rs 99,490 without it, with a battery rental of Rs 0.96 per km (Rushlane, Autocar India). BikeWale now lists the outright Go 2.2 kWh at an average Rs 1,09,936. The 2.2 kWh pack is removable, so flat dwellers can carry it indoors to charge, and the scooter supports 1 hour 0 to 80 percent fast charging.

TVS has a similar idea on the Orbiter V1 (1.8 kWh, 86 km claimed): BikeWale lists a BaaS option from Rs 49,999 plus Rs 1.2 per km battery rental. BaaS makes sense if you ride less than about 25 km a day. For heavier use, the per km rental quickly adds up, as our cost table below shows.

Bajaj Chetak C25 vs TVS iQube 2.3 kWh vs TVS Orbiter: which is best for families?

The Chetak C25 is the cheapest Chetak. Bajaj says it starts at Rs 89,990 in Bengaluru, while BikeWale's average across cities is Rs 1,04,600. You get a metal body, a 2.5 kWh battery, a claimed 113 km and a quick 2.25 hour 0 to 80 percent charge, but the top speed is only 55 to 60 kmph, so it suits city riders more than highway commuters.

The TVS iQube 2.3 kWh (Rs 1,19,450, 114 km IDC, 68 kmph) is the most proven name in the group, with TVS's large service network behind it. The TVS Orbiter V2 (Rs 1,18,899) is the range champion under Rs 1.2 lakh: a 3.1 kWh battery with 158 km claimed, though its 68 kmph top speed is modest. For long daily commutes the Orbiter is the one to test ride first. For winter and monsoon commutes, FANTOM riding gloves with knuckle protection keep your grip firm, and they are touchscreen friendly for the scooter's app.

What about the Ola S1 X?

The Ola S1 X 2 kWh is the cheapest scooter on our list at Rs 89,999 (BikeWale average ex-showroom), with 108 km claimed and a quick 101 kmph top speed. The S1 X 3 kWh at Rs 1,04,973 claims 176 km. On paper it is the best value, but buyers should check after-sales service quality in their city before booking, as experiences vary widely.

Many budget scooters skip turn by turn navigation on the dash. If yours does, a Motoplay 5 inch bike navigation screen mirrors CarPlay or Android Auto maps on the handlebar.

How much does an electric scooter cost per km vs a 110cc petrol scooter?

Here is the simple maths, with every assumption stated. Petrol in Delhi was Rs 102.12 per litre on 9 October 2026 (The Hans India). We assume a 110cc petrol scooter returns 50 kmpl in real riding. For electricity we assume Rs 9 per unit, close to the effective Delhi domestic rate in the 401 to 800 unit slab once power purchase cost adjustment and tax are added (Bridgeway Power, August 2026). Homes that stay within subsidised slabs will pay less.

For each scooter we take real range as 80 percent of the claimed figure and add 10 percent charging loss. Example, Ather Konarc S 100: 2.1 kWh divided by 80 km is 26 Wh per km, plus 10 percent loss gives 29 Wh per km. At Rs 9 a unit that is about Rs 0.26 per km. The petrol scooter: Rs 102.12 divided by 50 km is Rs 2.04 per km.

The headline: owning the battery cuts your fuel bill by roughly 85 to 90 percent, saving about Rs 21,390 a year at 12,000 km. BaaS still beats petrol, but the battery rental eats a large part of the gain, so it suits low mileage riders best. A wipe down after rainy rides with a 1200 GSM microfiber towel keeps the panels and charging port flap clean, and a DustMag wax-infused duster handles daily dust in seconds.

Keeping your old petrol scooter as a second ride for the family? A NightHawk 40W H4 LED headlight is an easy upgrade for older halogen units, so night visibility matches the LED lamps on the new EVs.

AUTOFY PICK Hydra waterproof bike cover Most EV owners park outside, and electric scooters are full of electronics and charging ports. Hydra is a lab-tested waterproof cover with heat-sealed stitches and UV protection, sized for Activa-class scooters, and it packs into its own carry bag. One limitation: it is a universal scooter fit, so it will not hug every body shape snugly. Rs 789 Shop on Autofy →

Key takeaways

• Seven electric scooters start under Rs 1.2 lakh ex-showroom in October 2026, from the Ola S1 X 2 kWh (Rs 89,999) to the TVS iQube 2.3 kWh (Rs 1,19,450).
• Best range for the money: TVS Orbiter V2, 3.1 kWh and 158 km claimed at Rs 1,18,899.
• New launches: Ather Konarc S 100 (about Rs 1 lakh, 100 km IDC) and Simple Wave S 2.2 kWh (Rs 1,09,999, 110 km IDC).
• Lowest entry ticket: Vida VX2 Go on BaaS, Rs 59,490 at launch plus Rs 0.96 per km battery rental.
• Owning the battery costs about Rs 0.26 per km to run vs about Rs 2.04 for a 110cc petrol scooter on our Delhi assumptions.

Frequently asked questions