Electric scooters priced under ₹1 lakh, or even lower, are becoming increasingly common, placing them alongside many traditional ICE scooters in terms of cost. As a result, they are attracting more serious consideration, particularly due to their lower operational costs. However, some models still fall short in key areas such as real-world range, charging convenience, and everyday practicality. Despite being cheaper to operate, their initial cost can still be off-putting, often due to these drawbacks. The new Vida VX2 seeks to address this with a Battery-as-a-Subscription (BaaS) scheme that can reduce its price to as low as ₹45,000. But there’s also a lot more to this scooter. What more? Let’s find out.
Let’s start with the basics — the styling. The Vida VX2 borrows a few design cues from its elder sibling, the Vida V1, but takes a much more minimalistic approach. It features a stubby front end with a twin-pod LED headlamp and Vida’s signature daytime running light. The two-tone handlebar unit houses the front indicators, which, according to the Vida team, have been positioned there to improve durability — reducing the risk of them breaking in the event of a fall or a minor bump. The scooter rides on 12-inch alloy wheels and features a single seat, unlike the split-seat setup on the V1. In profile, it has smooth, single body panels, as opposed to the more aggressive units on the V1. At the back, there’s a large tail light, and the rear indicators are integrated into the mudguard. All in all, I like the way the VX2 looks. It’s traditional, not overly aggressive, and will certainly appeal to a wider audience.
The VX2 is available in two variants: the lower VX2 Go and the higher VX2 Plus. The two differ in battery sizes (the Plus variant has two batteries, totalling 3.4kWh and promising an IDC-claimed 142km range, while the Go variant has a single 2.2kWh battery boasting a 92km range on the same cycle), brake setups (the Plus gets disc brakes at both ends, while the Go has drums front and rear), and screens (both variants come with a 4.3-inch unit, but the Plus gets a TFT colour screen, while the Go has an LCD screen). One of the VX2’s USPs are its removable batteries, which you can charge in three ways – via a port which supports fast charging on the front apron, with the 580W portable charger or by taking them home and charging them with the same unit, if you don’t have a 15Amp socket in your parking. Fast charging enables you to juice up the batteries from 0 to 80 per cent in about an hour. The Plus variant, because of the two batteries, has a 27-litre boot that’s good enough for a small full-face helmet. The Go model, with its single battery has a slightly larger 33-litre underseat storage. Both the VX2s further get a 5-litre storage on the front apron, plus a Type-A USB port and a baggage hook. They’re both powered by the same swing-arm mounted PMS motor which does duties on the V1 and churns out 6kW and 25Nm. The Plus gets three ride modes – Eco, Ride, Sport – while the Go omits the final, sportiest one.
The Vida VX2 Go is launched at an introductory ex-showroom price of ₹84,990 and the VX2 Plus can be yours for ₹99,990. If you wish to buy the scooters outright, that is. With the Battery as a Subscription scheme, the price drops down to as low as ₹44,990 for the Go and ₹57,990. That’s because with the BaaS, Vida won’t sell you the batteries and rent them to you, on a subscription plan. For the VX Plus, there are three plans with varying kilometers, tenure, and cost structure. Plan 1 allows you to ride for 2,400km per month over a 24-month tenure, covering a total of 57,600km, with a per km cost of ₹0.90. Plan 2 has a monthly minimum of 1,600km for 36 months, covering 57,600km, with a per km cost of ₹0.99. Plan 3 covers 800km per month for 60 months, totaling 48,000km, with a per km cost of ₹1.41. For the VX Go, Plan 1 has a minimum monthly of 1,200km for 36 months, covering 43,200km, with a per km cost of ₹1.24 and the same additional charges. Plan 2 has a lower minimum of 750km per month over 60 months, totaling 45,000km, with a per km cost of ₹1.47. When purchasing any of the BaaS plans, the buyer must pay an additional charge of ₹1,199 for documentation and stamp duty. Vida offers free charging for all BaaS customers, not just for their own vehicles, but also at any fast charging network across the country. Additionally, Vida provides an extended warranty, and if the battery health drops below 70 per cent or if there is any damage to it, the brand will replace the battery free of cost.
Off the bat, what surprised me the most about the VX2 is how light and nimble it feels, despite having a 115kg kerb weight. It hides its weight remarkably well and feels very flickable. The Go variant is even lighter at 106kg, making it feel even more agile. The battery weight is cleverly positioned at the center, contributing to the VX2’s excellent handling. Ergonomically, the VX2 offers plenty of room for both the rider and pillion thanks to its long and wide seat. The handlebar is set relatively high, providing ample space for taller riders. There’s also good room on the floorboard, which features a bag hook on the front apron. Vida has done a great job with the ride quality as well. It has a front fork and a monoshock at the rear, and the ride is quite smooth. The scooter absorbs bumps and rough patches well at slow speeds and feels stable at higher speeds. Ride quality improves even further when riding with a pillion. The seat has a relatively low height of 777mm and is sculpted at the front, making it easier for shorter riders to reach the ground. Additionally, it is well-cushioned for added comfort. The switchgear on the VX2 feels decent, but it's not the most user-friendly. It lacks a satisfying feel, and the joystick used to control the 4.3-inch TFT colour screen feels a bit rubbery. Speaking of the screen, it isn’t the best in terms of size or usability. It appears small and isn’t the most intuitive to navigate. The readouts are hard to interpret, and the screen lacks legibility, especially under bright sunlight. While it does offer Bluetooth connectivity and pairs with the app quickly, using the volume and track-seeking controls is a bit of a hassle. To adjust the volume or skip tracks, you need to go to the music section, long press the joystick to the right, and only then can you control the volume or track changes. The Vida app though has a good interface. It displays everything from the range, to the chargers around you, and also enables remote immobilisation, live tracking and geo-fencing. The overall fit and finish of the VX2 is good, though not the best — it's quite acceptable. While there are no major panel gaps, the quality of the plastic panels, particularly on the handlebar and front apron, could definitely be improved.
Moving to the way the VX2 Plus performs. Like I mentioned earlier, it has three ride modes – Eco, Ride and Sport. Eco is the most laid-back, Ride mode is ideal for city commutes, and Sport mode delivers the most performance with good low-end power. However, the Vida team has smartly incorporated a boost mode for Eco, which instantly switches to Sport mode after reaching a certain throttle angle. This is useful for quick overtakes when in Eco mode. I also appreciate the fact that you can toggle between ride modes even while the throttle is open. The VX2 Plus has regenerative braking, but it’s not adjustable. It’s progressive, kicking in below 80 per cent, and gets stronger as the battery level decreases. It’s activated by twisting the throttle in the opposite direction and works smoothly. Braking duties are handled by a disc up front and a drum at the rear, while the Go variant has drum brakes on both ends. While this braking setup does its job, it could certainly use more bite, and the front brake feels a bit wooden-y. But all-in-all, the VX2 is a fun electric scooter to ride. It may not be the sharpest in its class, but it’s definitely an enjoyable daily ride.
I have to say, the Vida VX2 is an impressive scooter as it ticks all the right boxes. It looks neat, rides well, feels surprisingly agile, is super practical, offers just the right amount of features, and delivers competitive range. For the VX2 Plus, the brand claims an IDC range of 142km. I rode it for about 40km, starting with 98km of range at 100 per cent, and by the time I returned it, the range had dropped to about 58 per cent, still showing an estimated 53km left. So, expect around 90km of range if you ride sensibly, which is comparable to its competition. However, the standout feature of the Vida VX2 is its Battery as a Subscription scheme, which makes its buying price unbelievably affordable. When was the last time you heard of a ₹50,000 scooter, let alone an electric one? The VX2 should definitely be high on your list if you're in the market for a no-nonsense, practical, comfortable e-scooter that delivers solid real-world range and is easy on your wallet from the get-go.
