TVS iQube ST 5.1kWh vs Ather 450 Apex vs Ola S1 Pro vs Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Vida V1 Pro: Specification Comparison

On paper, the Ola S1 Pro provides the best mix of performance and practicality with the highest top speed and claimed range output. In terms of claimed top speeds, the TVS iQube ST is one of the slower scooters in this comparo, with the Chetak being the slowest. But as family-oriented scooters, it is adequate as the iQube ST and the Chetak make it up with good claimed range outputs of 150km and 126km respectively. 

What helps the iQube’s case even more is its charging time, which is the fastest amongst the five. It also has the most powerful charger, because of which it’s able to charge the quickest despite having the biggest battery. In fact, the iQube’s battery is the largest amongst all electric scooters in India.

Theoretically, the Ola S1 Pro and the Ather 450 Apex get the most sophisticated suspension setup compared to the other three, with the telescopic fork and monoshock. But whether the performance of the dual shock absorbers in the iQube ST and the single shock absorber in the Chetak Premium and the V1 Pro is inferior, can only be determined when we test them back to back. For braking, the 450 Apex and the S1 Pro get disc brakes at both ends, which should provide better stopping power compared to the front disc and rear drum brake setup in the other three scooters. 

The 110-section tyres at both ends in the S1 Pro should result in better straight line stability but it won’t tip into corners quite easily compared to the thinner tyre setup in the other scooters. We’ve already experienced how good the tyres on the Ather are. They’re skinny, but have lots of grip and will inspire confidence when leaning into corners. 

The better straight line stability of the S1 Pro should also be enhanced by the longest wheelbase among all the scooters in this comparison. But the Ather 450 Apex with the shortest wheelbase makes for a scooter that’s delightfully agile and feels super light. It also gets the highest ground clearance, making the scooter very suitable for Indian road conditions. Shorter riders might find the Ola S1 Pro’s 805mm seat height a bit inaccessible. The Bajaj Chetak’s metal body panels makes it the heaviest scooter in this lot. Now while it’s not heavy enough to make it a dealbreaker, it definitely doesn’t feel as light on its feet as something like, say the Ather 450X. 

All five scooters have quite an extensive list of features with smartphone connectivity, navigation, riding modes and more. The Chetak, with the launch of the Premium variant, now has the required features like turn-by-turn navigation, music control, call alerts and display themes to put up a better fight against its competitors in this category. But those features are only with the TecPac package, which costs an additional Rs 9,000 over the scooter’s price.

The Ather 450 Apex and the Ola S1 Pro are the most feature-packed scooters with full-fledged map based navigation, hill hold, regen braking and a lot more. The Ola S1 Pro and the TVS iQube ST have the best underseat storage space (34 litres and 32 litres respectively), which is great because such big underseat storage capacities are often quite handy when you go out shopping or need to carry a few bags with you while riding.