Global two-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company has officially entered the African electric mobility market with the launch of its premium electric scooter, the TVS iQube, in Nairobi.
The entry into Kenya marks a significant milestone in the company’s international expansion strategy as urban commuters increasingly seek affordable, environmentally friendly transport solutions amid rising fuel costs and growing demand for sustainable mobility.
The launch, held at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi, was conducted in partnership with Car & General Kenya, the company’s long-standing distributor in the country for more than two decades.
Speaking during the launch, TVS Motor Company President for International Business Peyman Kargar said Kenya provides a strategic entry point for the company’s electric mobility expansion across Africa.
“Driven by our vision to transform lives through exciting, responsible and sustainable mobility, we are proud to introduce the TVS iQube in Kenya, marking our entry into the African market,” said Kargar.
He added that the launch reflects the company’s commitment to expanding innovative electric solutions across international markets while strengthening its global growth strategy.
Kargar expressed confidence that TVS Motor’s established presence across Africa, coupled with its growing electric vehicle portfolio, would enable the company to provide long-term value to consumers and strengthen its position in the emerging electric mobility sector.
The launch comes at a time when Kenya’s transport sector is gradually shifting towards cleaner energy solutions, with electric vehicles gaining popularity among consumers seeking lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.
Car & General Chief Executive Officer Vijay Gidoomal said Africa’s two-wheeler market continues to expand, with growth projections ranging between seven and 10 percent annually through 2030.
He noted that the electric two-wheeler segment is growing at an even faster pace, with forecasts indicating annual growth of between 15 and 25 percent through 2030 and beyond.
“The electric two-wheeler market is growing much faster. EV penetration is still low relative to the size of the industry, but the conditions are ripe for growth, and the runway promises to be extremely long,” said Gidoomal.
He observed that increasing fuel prices, improved technology and growing awareness of environmental sustainability are likely to accelerate the adoption of electric motorcycles and scooters across the continent.
TVS Motor Company Vice President for International Business Madhu Prakash Singh said the TVS iQube offers commuters an economical alternative to traditional petrol-powered scooters.
“With fuel prices rising at an unprecedented pace, consumers in the personal mobility segment now have a compelling alternative in the TVS iQube, an electric scooter that delivers everyday mobility at a running cost that is only a fraction of that of a gasoline-powered vehicle,” Singh said.
According to technical estimates presented during the launch, riders who switch from a conventional 125cc petrol scooter to the electric model could save approximately Sh47,000 annually through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
The TVS iQube will be available in Kenya in two variants: the TVS iQube 3.5 and TVS iQube 2.2.
The premium TVS iQube 3.5 is equipped with two lithium-ion battery packs with a combined capacity of 3.5 kWh, providing a real-world range of up to 115 kilometres on a single charge and a top speed of 82 kilometres per hour.
The TVS iQube 2.2 comes with a 2.2 kWh battery capacity, offering a real-world range of about 75 kilometres and a maximum speed of 75 kilometres per hour.
Both models are powered by a 4.6 kW hub-mounted electric motor capable of accelerating from zero to 40 kilometres per hour in 4.2 seconds.
The scooters feature an IP67-rated waterproof battery protection system managed through an integrated Battery Management System, five-inch digital displays and reverse parking assistance.
Charging has also been designed to suit ordinary household infrastructure, with users able to recharge the scooters using a portable 950W charger connected to a standard wall socket.
The vehicles can achieve an 80 percent charge within between two hours and two hours and 55 minutes, depending on the battery capacity.
The TVS SmartXonnect platform integrated into the scooters provides digital connectivity features, including real-time navigation, geofencing, anti-theft tracking, ride analytics and crash or fall alerts.
To ensure reliable customer support, the scooters will be distributed and serviced through Car & General’s nationwide dealership network.
Each unit comes with a two-year or 30,000-kilometre manufacturer warranty, alongside after-sales support and availability of spare parts.
Globally, TVS Motor Company reports that more than one million units of the iQube have been sold, covering over 17.8 billion kilometres and helping offset more than 620,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
By Michael Omondi
