TVS Orbiter vs Ather Rizta: Which Electric Family Scooter To Buy

TVS recently launched its entry level e-scooter in India called the Orbiter. This e-scooter offers a range of 158km, loads of convenient features and costs under Rs 99,900 (ex-showroom Delhi). According to its overall pricing, specs and features, this e-scooter competes with the Ather Rizta. Here is a quick image comparison between these two electric family scooters.

Design 

The TVS Orbiter looks like a much more modern e-scooter in terms of the overall design as it gets distinctive looking boxy panels, a tall visor and LED DRL on the front apron. This e-scooter gets much larger 14-inch alloy wheels which give it a taller stance. Other than this, the Orbiter is available in some exciting colour options which makes this scooter stand out.

In comparison, the Ather Rizta looks slightly more conventional with its well designed body panels, big apron mounted LED headlight, neatly integrated indicators, tail lights and a pillion backrest. The uses a more conventional 12-inch wheels and the colour options are a bit more subtle than the Orbiter’s.

Motor And Battery 

The TVS Orbiter uses a 3.1kWh battery pack which powers a 2.1kW motor. It has a claimed IDC (Indian driving conditions) range of 158km and claimed top speed of 68kmph. Its 650W charger takes 4 hours 10 minutes to charge it from 0 to 80%. The Orbiter can sprint from 0 to 40kmph in 6.8 seconds.

The Ather Rizta is available in three battery pack options 2.7kWh, 2.9kWh, and 3.7kWh. These allow a claimed range from 123 to 159km. Its 4.3kWh motor lets the Rizta sprint from 0 to 40kmph in 4.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 80kmph (both claimed). Using either the Ather portable charger or Ather Duo charger, the Rizta can be charged from 0 to 80% in 6 hours 30 minutes or 4 hours 30 minutes respectively.

Underpinnings 

The TVS Orbiter uses a steel tube frame with a conventional telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers. There is no disc brake setup and the e-scooter gets drum brakes at both ends with CBS (combined braking setup). It runs on a large 14-inch front and a 12-inch rear alloy wheel setup. It weighs 112kg (kerb), and gets a ground clearance of 169mm.

The Ather Rizta also uses a steel tube frame with telescopic fork and a rear monoshock. It gets a front disc and rear drum brake setup with CBS, and runs on 12-inch alloy wheels at both ends. The Rizta weighs 125kg (kerb) and comes with a ground clearance of 150mm.

Features 

The Orbiter gets all-LED lights with a coloured 5.5-inch LCD console that comes with smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and SMS/call alerts. It also gets a cruise control system for extra convenience. At 34 litres, the underseat storage is quite large and can accommodate two half-face helmets. It has a  cubby hole on the front apron and a 290mm long footboard that’s good for comfort and carrying groceries. The Orbiter also comes with a reverse mode, automatic hill hold assist, geo fencing, tow alert, crash/fall alert and an apron-mounted USB charging port. TVS is offering a 3-year, 50,000km warranty on the Orbiter. 

The Ather Rizta also has all-lights. However, the Rizta S gets a normal 7-inch TFT console, while the Rizta Z comes with a touchscreen display and also supports smartphone connectivity, Google Maps based navigation, SMS/call alerts and supports multiple languages. Rizta Z will also get Ather’s all new smart cruise control in a few months through OTA (over the air). One of the highlights of the Rizta is its 34-litre underseat storage and a 22-litre front storage (using the optional accessory), regenerative braking, pothole alerts, crash alert, park safe, lock safe, cricket on dash, and voice assist. Ather also offers a warranty of 3 years and 30,000km.

Price & Verdict

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.

The TVS Orbiter and Ather Rizta differ mainly in the pricing of the variants. The Orbiter comes in a single variant, which makes the choice easy if you want it specifically. . 

The Rizta, on the other hand, comes in 2 variants offering different ranges. The features set also differs as well. It clearly offers more than the Orbiter, but costs more as well. If you want a feature packed, practical, powerful and fast e-scooter and are okay paying the extra amount, then the Rizta makes a lot of sense. But if good overall range is your main concern, then the TVS Orbiter can be a good option to consider for a lot less money. Another TVS electric scooter that rivals the Ather Rizta is the TVS iQube. We compared them to find out the more feature-packed one here.