River Indie

Owned and ridden in and around Bengaluru, the Indie has been a very comfortable daily companion. The claimed range is accurate in every mode - in our real-world mixed Eco and Ride test it ran about 115 km before needing a charge, and owners report roughly 100-120 km in normal use. Build quality feels superb compared to the Chetak and Ola, service has been good, and the 43-litre underseat boot plus 12-litre glovebox make it genuinely practical. Availability is still limited outside Bangalore and Hyderabad, and the front suspension is firm for a solo rider, but this is one of the most comfortable and fun EVs in the segment.

The ride quality is the headline here. Once up to speed it delivers a wonderfully plush ride that shrugs off sharp bumps, helped by gas-charged suspension at both ends and grippy 14-inch tubeless tyres. The brakes are fantastic with strong bite, storage is the largest in its class, and the long seat, spacious floorboard and unique rider foot-pegs keep comfort high for both rider and pillion. Fit and finish is solid in most areas. The only real letdowns are the absence of ABS, a firm front end at low speeds, and limited cornering clearance when leaning over.

As a value and ownership pick the Indie is a mixed bag. It is a big, heavy scooter at around 143 kg, and the feature set is deliberately basic - no Bluetooth, no keyless operation or navigation, and AC-only charging that takes 6.5 to 8 hours for a full charge depending on the charger. Against those trade-offs you get excellent practicality: massive storage, luggage-mounting points as standard, strong build quality and a torquey motor that handles heavy loads with ease. Pricing sits at the premium end, and with the retail network expanding to 75+ stores it is becoming easier to buy and service.