With the Indian market flooded with electric scooters – from startups to legacy brands – some have got the mantra right. Ather has got its sportiness right, Bajaj has got the looks right, TVS has got its practicality right, and River Indie has got its utility right. That said, Hero is on the list with the Vida brand and with the VX2. Has Hero got versatility right?
Having ridden the new Hero Vida VX2 in and around Nandi Hills in Bengaluru, we managed the right amount of time to determine who the scooter is for, and if Hero has answered the key concern with electric vehicles.
Hero Vida VX2 review — First impressions
The Vida VX2 retains all the good bits from the Vida we know — a unique DRL design called the ‘we care’ look, and a tail light to go with the theme. The scooter features a single seat, 12-inch wheels, a TFT instrument console, phone connectivity, and offers decent storage under the seat despite the dual battery setup.
On the ergonomics front, the rider triangle is comfortable, and there is enough room for tall riders. The reach to the levers is just right and won’t be a problem for riders built small or large. The reach to the floor is not a concern, and the seat itself is comfortable, and the single seat has helped with the practicality of the scooter.
Hero Vida VX2 review — First ride impressions
The startup sequence is simple — key on, hold brake, turn on the kill switch, and start. On the move, the scooter feels brisk – not as sporty as the Ather 450 series – and the suspension feels a bit stiff. As soon as you hit some potholes, the suspension setup makes sense, and Hero has always managed a good suspension setup on all its products.
The 12-inch wheels offer good ride quality, and the tyres offer enough confidence around twisty roads. Braking is efficient with the disc-drum set up, and the scooter offers three ride modes: Eco, Ride, and Sport. The modes can be toggled on the go, and in any mode, when the throttle is twisted beyond a point, it goes into Boost Mode to offer quicker acceleration — a feature that comes in handy and which can also be turned off.
Hero Vida VX2 review — Battery specifications and charging
The Vida VX2 comes with dual removable batteries, giving it a total output of 3.4kWh. The scooter can reach 40kmph in 3.1 seconds, has a claimed IDC range of 142km, can tackle inclines up to 18 degrees, and has a top speed of 80kmph.
The interesting part of the VX2 Plus is the battery recharging options, as it can be charged on the scooter using the portable charger that takes a little over 4 hours to charge to 80%, or the batteries can be removed completely and be charged at home with a regular power socket. If not the two options, one can use the fast charger grid the Vida shares with Ather to charge to 80% in 62 minutes.
What makes it truly interesting is that the VX2 can be had with Battery as a service option, cutting the upfront costs significantly. When opting for this, Hero will charge a certain amount a month, which will include the fast charging services as well in the bundle. This is something that would appeal to those looking for a lower up-front cost of owning an EV.
Hero Vida VX2 first ride review — Were we impressed?
To keep it short, yes. Hero seems to have addressed a big issue with EVs, which is parking. Once this is sorted, charging is not a hassle at all since the scooter can be charged anywhere, regardless of the parking situation. Adding the BaaS option, also cuts ownership costs, making it an extremely affordable scooter.
The TFT dash offers ample functions such as navigation and smartphone connectivity, which is more than adequate, while a dedicated joystick removes the need for a touchscreen console. The under-seat storage is large enough to carry a half helmet, and the cubby hole in the front apron is large enough to store a water bottle or smaller items, although I would not be putting my phone or wallet there.
Overall, I think Hero’s got a product that is truly versatile – 3 charging options, seven colour options including a dual-tone one, appeals to people across age groups, and options of pricing – get the scooter and opt for BaaS or get the whole package.
