Electric scooters are no longer alien to Indian customers. In fact, the number of electric scooters on Indian roads is increasing by the day. Stop at a traffic signal and you’ll find at least three or four electric scooters sharing the space with you. This is largely down to the ease of use and utility electric scooters offer, besides not having to depend on fossil fuels to run. Keeway India has seized this opportunity to introduce its Hypevolt-R electric scooter in the country, and we took it for a test ride to see how it performs on a day-to-day basis.
The design of the Hypevolt-R is distinctive, and the scooter draws a lot of attention. Whether at a traffic stop or in a parking lot, curious onlookers will come up and ask about the make and model. The mix of glossy white and matte black panels gives it a subtle yet interesting appearance, though it’s far from being an average electric scooter. The questions don’t stop at its looks either. From range to battery pack capacity, people tend to dig for more and more information the moment they spot the Hypevolt-R.
Most of the hardware is what you’d expect on premium electric scooters: LED lighting, a TFT instrument console, removable twin battery packs, and generous storage space, all of which add to its practicality. A mobile app makes things more interesting, with connected features that go beyond navigation – from monitoring scooter statistics to operating the scooter itself through the app, adding a layer of usability. Cycle parts include telescopic forks, twin rear shocks, disc brakes with combined braking, and a belt drive that transmits power smoothly and silently. You also get multiple ride modes, traction control, and regenerative braking, making it a genuinely feature-rich electric two-wheeler.
But rather than pondering on the specifications, here’s how it actually rides. The riding position is comfortable, with a spacious seat and generous foot placement, even taller riders shouldn’t feel cramped. The wide, cushioned seat makes it easy to ride for longer stretches without discomfort. The central tunnel houses the battery packs, which can be removed easily and charged at home, or in your parking using the supplied charger.
Riding the Hypevolt-R is genuinely fun, especially in Sport mode. Eco mode helps preserve range for calmer riding, and Normal mode is, well, normal. But things change instantly once you switch to Sport. Keeway claims a top speed of 115 kmph, and having ridden it, I can vouch for the fact that the Hypevolt-R is no slouch. Twist the throttle and you immediately feel a shoulder-tugging surge of torque. Before I knew it, I was well into triple-digit speeds, and with more room to run, the scooter feels capable of doing more than what’s officially claimed – all without a single pollutant released into the air.
The suspension has been carefully tuned to help the 140kg scooter absorb rough roads, bumps, and potholes without feeling too stiff. This also translates into confident handling, whether you’re weaving through heavy traffic or tackling twisty roads. Its 1,454mm wheelbase makes it long, but this doesn’t hurt manoeuvrability — if anything, it adds stability at speed. The 14-inch alloy wheels further enhance overall handling. The disc brakes are particularly impressive, shedding speed with confidence, while the combined braking system adds an extra layer of safety. All told, the Keeway Hypevolt-R is a fun, sporty electric scooter that makes daily commutes and weekend rides genuinely enjoyable.
Priced at ₹1.99 lakh, ex-showroom, the Keeway Hypevolt-R is an engaging scooter with practical features and a design that turns heads. It comes with ample storage space and offers enough kilometers per charge to keep range anxiety at bay. Keeway is also working to expand its footprint in the country, which should offer prospective buyers some added peace of mind.
Words Mrinmoy Choudhury
Photography Saidatta Naik, Tanmay Vartak
