RIVER INDIE

The newest player in the premium e-scooter segment has a few unique tricks up its sleeve!

- RITESH PATIL

With EVs, manufacturers have a chance to try and create something different from the conventional vehicles we are used to seeing on the road. And as is evident, homegrown startups have managed to do that pretty well. Joining the bandwagon is River, a Bengaluru-based startup, with its first electric scooter, the Indie. It calls it the SUV of scooters, but to be called that, the Indie needs to fulfil a few parameters, like having butch looks, decent practicality, a reasonably powerful powertrain and good ride quality. Does the River Indie manage to do that? Let’s find out.

In terms of looks, it is quite distinct compared to other electric scooters in our market, the primary reason being its boxy proportions and wide 14-inch wheels which lends the electric scooter a butch stance. It starts at the front which gets twin LED headlamps and metal fall protectors on each side. Move on to the sides and you’ll see the pannier mounts, which apart from holding a 20-litre pannier box each, add more ruggedness to the design. The rear looks simple with a large LED tail lamp taking the centre stage. So, as far as looks go, it certainly is one of the highlights of the River Indie.

Speaking of the features, you get a six-inch colour LCD that looks crisp but is not a touchscreen unit. There is no connected tech either, however, there’s an optional phone mount accessory on offer that allows you to mount your phone on the handle bar. Speaking of accessories, the River Indie offers a huge amount of customisation options.