Electric vehicles, in general, are getting a lot more unconventional these days. Commuting has been revolutionized with the introduction of electric vehicles, bringing a refreshing change to our mobility options. One gets a lot more space to experiment, ideate and innovate and eventually build something more market-friendly. One such product built by a Bengaluru-based startup, River called Indie, wishes to establish itself in the market with its utility-driven approach, along with unconventional design language. The product itself does a lot of talking with the segment-first features like 14-inch alloy wheels, 55 litres of usable storage space and more. How impactful does it ride and perform in the real world, and how convincing is the product? Let's find out.
Verdict
River Indie was earlier priced at Rs 1.25 lakhs, but now, with the FAME 2 subsidy being cut out, the prices will go up. But, in order to keep the promise to its existing customers who pre-booked the scooter, the brand will sell the scooter at the mentioned price. Even though the price goes up to Rs 1.45-1.50 lakhs, Indie makes a promising case for itself in terms of its utility-driven approach. Not just that, its unconventional looks make it unique among the pack of other e-scooters. The practicality it brings to the table makes it a compelling choice. However, it would be a test of time to see how well the startup manages to scale up its presence. The product itself has communicated the startup capabilities, and whoever buys it for its practicality and utility functions won't be disappointed.
To stand out among the crowd, one does not need to look different but also distinctive, and that’s what River Indie does quite well. The front apron is dominated by a sizeable dual-LED headlamp unit, adding quite a mass to the look. On the sides, there aren’t any cuts and creases to catch your fancy, but you genuinely notice the sheer space in the front floorboard. And what’s a thoughtful addition is the front foot-pegs, wherein you can rest your legs if the floor space is loaded. The scooter we rode came with an accessory package, so the photos you see - get side pannier mounts, which will be sold separately as an accessory. The 43-l underseat storage is quite adequate, and it could easily carry a full-face helmet and more. There’s also a tiny 12-l box at the front that can be operated mechanically with the key. It feels a bit flimsy to use, especially on my test unit- the rubber beading was already out. But apart from that, I found no issue with the build quality and fit-and-finish.
In terms of features, River Indie gets a 6-inch LCD , which shows all the necessary data like speed, SOC, regen and a lot more. The resolution was satisfactory, and I had no issue reading the numbers in normal daylight. However, how clear and visible the numbers will be in bright sunlight is something to be checked. The scooter also gets a reverse assist feature, which can be easily accessed via a two-step process. All you have to do is press the brake and get the motor started, and then use the Press and Set button near the LCD to function it. You might wonder if the process sounds tedious, but believe me when I say - it’s not. You will get used to it easily, and the two-step process adds a layer of protection so that one can not go into reverse mode accidentally.
Battery Capacity - 4kWh
Power- 9hp
Torque- 29Nm
Top Speed - 90km/h
Acceleration (0-40km/h) - 3.9 seconds
IDC Range - 160km
Price - Rs 1.45-1.50 lakhs ( expected )
River Indie gets a lithium-ion 4kWh battery with nickel-cobalt-aluminium chemistry. This chemistry in the battery ensures a longer life span with high energy density and good specific power. The company claims a real-world driving range of 120km in Eco mode. However, Eco mode feels a bit dull , and the Ride and Rush mode will be frequently used. I have been toggling between Ride and Rush mode, and in both the mode performance was adequate. The throttle calibration is well-judged, and the scooter takes up speed quite linearly.
River Indie use a PMSM mid-mounted motor that drives the rear wheel via a belt drive system. Power and torque numbers are not something to vouch for. It produces 9hp of peak power and 26Nm of peak torque. Well, during my test ride - I never felt the lack of performance, and the way the motor delivers torque is satisfactory. The company says they have restricted the max performance of the motor to increase its reliability and efficiency.
River calls Indie as ‘ SUVs of Scooter ‘ - and it does feel rugged and built-to-last .During my test ride, I never faced any issues whatsoever, something that is not common by a new-age startup. It uses a steel tubular dual cradle chassis along with the dual-sided aluminium alloy swingarm on which both rear shocks are mounted. On the front, it gets a telescopic suspension unit with hydraulic dampers. Both the suspensions are tuned on a stiffer side, so the potholes or speed breakers can easily be felt. But then you look into its utilitarian quotient, and one needs to keep suspension a bit firmer so that it does not bottom out with all the load in it. In terms of handling, it managed to tackle curves quite well; however, if you lean hard - you might scrape the side of the floorboard. But then again, it’s not a sporty commuter but a utility vehicle. The braking duties are managed by a 240mm disc at the front and a 200mm disc at the rear. The front braking performance, especially on my scooter, was not adequate; however, the rear felt quite sharp. Then I tried other scooters from the lot, and I found the braking performance was quite acceptable. The braking response calibrated with regeneration feels quite natural and responsive.
As far as the seating position and ergonomics go, the River Indie is spot-on. The handlebar is just high enough to give a comfortable riding position. Along with that, the seat height of 770mm makes it even more suitable for all types of commuters. The seating area is wide, and the foam density and cushion of the seats make it even better.
