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TVS Motor Launches iQube Electric Scooter In Kenya
TVS Motor Company has launched its iQube electric scooter in Kenya, the Indian manufacturer’s first entry into the African market. The scooter will be sold through Car & General, which has operated in Kenya for over two decades and will handle distribution and after-sales service.
Under the hood, the iQube runs on a 4.6 kW hub-mounted motor and the company says it comes in two variants. The 3.5 model uses two lithium-ion battery packs with a combined 3.5 kWh capacity, rated for a real-world range of 115 km and a top speed of 82 km/h, while the 2.2 model runs on a single 2.2 kWh battery with a range of 75 km and a top speed of 75 km/h. Both can be charged from a standard household outlet using a portable charger, taking about three hours for the 3.5 and two hours for the 2.2 to reach 80 percent.
Beyond the motor and battery, TVS points to the scooters’ SmartXonnect connectivity system as a key feature; smartphone-linked navigation, ride tracking, anti-theft alerts, geofencing and crash detection, alongside reverse parking assist and up to 32 litres of under-seat storage, per the company’s specifications.
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Madhu Prakash Singh, Vice President of International Business at TVS Motor Company, said the launch reflects the company’s read on where urban mobility is headed: “The launch of the TVS iQube in Kenya underscores the company’s commitment to accelerating the transition to electric mobility while catering to the evolving needs of modern urban consumers.”
The company says the launch responds to rising fuel prices and growing interest in electric transport in Kenyan cities, and estimates running an iQube costs around approximately $363(Kes 47,000) less per year than a comparable 125cc petrol scooter, based on its own energy and maintenance figures. For Peyman Kargar, President of International Business at TVS Motor Company, the Kenya launch also fits a wider expansion pattern: “Driven by our vision to transform lives through exciting, responsible, and sustainable mobility, we are proud to introduce the TVS iQube in Kenya, marking our entry into the African market. This launch reflects our continued focus on expanding innovative electric solutions across international markets and signifies a key milestone in our global growth journey. With a strong legacy in Africa, we are confident that the addition of our electric portfolio will further reinforce our leadership and offer compelling value to customers.”
Car & General, which will handle sales and after-sales support locally, frames the launch against broader market trends. CEO Vijay Gidoomal cited industry growth projections for the segment: “While the overall African two-wheeler market is growing at roughly 7-10 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through 2030, the electric two-wheeler market is growing much faster, with forecasts ranging from 15 per cent to 25 per cent CAGR through 2030-31. EV penetration is still low relative to the size of the industry but the conditions are rife for its growth and the runway promises to be extremely long.”
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Globally, TVS reports the iQube has covered more than 17.8 billion kilometres across over a million units sold, with the company estimating this has offset 623,595 tonnes of CO₂. The scooter carries a two-year or 30,000-km warranty, whichever comes first.
TVS Motor Company itself is listed on the BSE and NSE and runs four manufacturing plants across India and Indonesia. It is part of the TVS VENU group, which also owns UK-based Norton Motorcycles, and operates in 90 countries. The company has received the Deming Prize and has ranked first in J.D. Power’s Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for four consecutive years.