TVS Motor latest legacy OEM to enter electric 3-wheeler market

TVS Motor Co has become the latest legacy original equipment manufacturer (OEM) from the Indian automobile industry to officially enter the electric three-wheeler market in India. Earlier this month, at the Auto Expo 2025, the Chennai-based auto major launched the TVS King EV Max all-electric connected three-wheeler, priced at Rs 295,000 (ex-showroom).

The TVS King EV Max, whose styling is close to the petrol-engined TVS King sibling, is powered by a 9.7 kWh lithium-ion LFP battery pack claimed to deliver a travel range of 179km per charge and a top speed of 60kph. The zero-emission TVS King EV Max, which develops maximum power of 11 kW and 40 Nm of torque, has three riding modes with different top speed limits – Eco (40kph), City (50kph) and Power (60kph).

As per the TVS King EV Max’s tech specs, 0-100% charging takes three-and-a-half hours while a 0-80% charge takes two hours and 15 minutes.

The TVS King EV Max is currently available in select states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Bengal.

The King EV Max also gets Bluetooth-enabled connected features similar to those on TVS’ two-wheelers and enable the user to access vehicle diagnostics, last parked location and call and message notifications which are conveyed via a negative LCD.

The TVS e-3W features an LED headlight with an integrated Daytime Running Lamp and LED tail-lamp. Interestingly, the King EV also has a water-wading capacity of up to 500mm.

The TVS King EV Max is currently available in select states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Bengal with a six-year or 150,000km warranty, whichever is earlier. It will progressively be launched across the country.

TVS JOINS MAHINDRA, BAJAJ, PIAGGIO, KINETIC, MONTRA ELECTRIC IN E3W RACE
Compared to the electric two-wheeler market which has only a few legacy players (TVS, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, and Suzuki India), the electric three-wheeler segment has seven – Mahindra & Mahindra, Kinetic Group, Atul Auto, Piaggio Vehicles, Omega Seiki, Bajaj Auto and the Murugappa Group. Other than these well-established legacy OEMs, the e-3W segment is currently populated by small and medium enterprises and the Vahan website lists the total number at a little over 700 players!

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility was the first to plug into the segment and, as per Vahan retail data, has sold 183,403 passenger and cargo variants between CY2015 and CY2024. MLMM’s CY2024 sales have been its highest yet (68,072 units).

The Gujarat-based Atul Auto has been in the e3W game since around the same time and has sold 17,862 units in the past 9 years including 6,866 units in CY2024.

The Pune-based Kinetic Group’s Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions entered this zero-emission vehicle segment in January 2016. Since then, the company has sold a total of 15,152 units including 2,531 in CY2024.

Italian automaker Piaggio Vehicles launched its Ape Elektrik range of electric three-wheelers in early CY2020. Since then, till end-December 2024, the company has retailed a total of 52,571 units including 21,760 units in CY2024.

Omega Seiki, the EV OEM, had showcased its first e3W, the Rage + cargo model at the Auto Expo 2020. Sales began in CY2021 (317 units) and have gradually picked up – CY2022: 2,785 units, CY2023: 3,572 units and CY2024: 6,901 units.

TI Clean Mobility, a subsidiary of Murugappa Group’s TI Cycles of India, ventured into last mile mobility with the rollout of its electric three-wheeler portfolio under the Montra Electric brand in September 2022. With sales kicking off only in CY2023, TI Clean Mobility has sold a total of 7,297 units including 6,033 units in CY2024.

Bajaj Auto plugged into the e3W market in June 2023 with its RE E-Tec 9.0 passenger EV and Maxima XL Cargo E-Tec 12.0 and has since rapidly climbed the ranks to be the No. 2 behind Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, the EV arm of Mahindra & Mahindra.

TVS JOINS FORCES WITH HYUNDAI TO DEVELOP E3Ws FOR LAST-MILE MOBILITY 
In a move, similar to its collaboration with BMW Motorrad for whom it produces the G310 series of motorcycles and, more recently, the electric CE 02 scooter at its Hosur plant, TVS Motor Co has partnered Hyundai Motor to develop EVs for last-mile mobility operations.

On January 18, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the two companies unveiled concept models of an advanced electric three-wheeler and micro four-wheeler. While no binding agreements have been explored or executed, Hyundai Motor is exploring the potential to offer design, engineering and technology, while TVS Motor will explore manufacturing and marketing of the EVs.

Based on the findings of an India-specific study, Hyundai and TVS will explore rollout of the project. While the three-wheeler concept is proposed to be produced in collaboration with TVS, the development of the four-wheeler is under review, with a focus on its global potential.

While the E3W concept is proposed to be produced in collaboration with TVS, the development of the E4W Concept is under review.

The electric three-wheeler concept has been boldly reimagined and transformed India’s ubiquitous motor rickshaw into a versatile and eco-friendly vehicle that can serve not only as a people mover but also as an efficient logistics option or a rapid-response emergency vehicle.

With its compact size and manoeuvrability, the electric three-wheeler concept is designed to navigate narrow streets effortlessly. The height of the body is adjustable, allowing it to be lifted to navigate waterlogged streets during the heavy rains of the monsoon season.

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