Long-Distance Rides on VIDA: How Practical is it Really?



The question hit me when my cousin in Gurgaon asked if I could ride down to Delhi for his wedding on my VIDA. "It's just 30 km," he said casually, but I knew he meant 30 km each way, plus running around the city for wedding errands. Suddenly, I was staring at a 100+ km day on my electric scooter. Time for a reality check.

The Range Reality

Let's be honest about what "long-distance" means in the Indian context. For most of us, it's not a Mumbai-to-Pune adventure, it's those occasional 60-80 km days when life throws you curveballs. Maybe it's visiting family in the next town, attending a friend's wedding, or that work trip to a client's office on the outskirts.

My VIDA VX2 Go, with its claimed 92 km range, looked promising on paper. But anyone who's ridden in Indian traffic knows the difference between claimed and real-world numbers. After several longer rides, I've found that 60-65 km is a realistic expectation in mixed city-highway conditions. That's still pretty decent, enough to handle most of those extended day trips without breaking a sweat.

The VX2 Plus has been a game-changer in this regard. The dual removable batteries mean I can actually plan longer routes without that nagging range anxiety. On days when I know I'll be pushing the limits, I keep one battery charging at home while using the other. It's like having a backup plan that actually works.

Charging Strategy Becomes Everything

Here's where long-distance riding on any electric scooter gets interesting: it's not just about the vehicle anymore, it's about planning. I've learned to think like a chess player, always two moves ahead.

For that wedding trip, I charged overnight, rode to Delhi in Eco mode (yes, I was that guy cruising at 50 km/h on the highway), and plugged in at my cousin's place while we handled the wedding preparations. Five hours later, I had enough juice for the return journey plus some buffer.

The 5-hour charging time from 0-100% isn't exactly quick, but it works if you're strategic about it. I've found that the sweet spot is never letting the battery drop below 20%. That way, even a 2-3 hour charge during a lunch break or family visit gives you enough range to get home comfortably.

Real-World Hiccups

Not everything is smooth sailing, though. Highway winds can be brutal on range. I learned this the hard way during a Noida-to-Faridabad run. The constant 60+ km/h speeds and headwinds knocked off about 15% more battery than expected. I made it, but with just 8% charge remaining. Lesson learned: always factor in weather and terrain.

Traffic jams, surprisingly, aren't the enemy. The VIDA's regenerative braking actually helps recover some power in stop-and-go situations. It's those long stretches of consistent highway speeds that really drain the battery.

Bottom Line

Is the VIDA practical for long-distance rides? Yes, but with conditions. It handles 80-120 km days comfortably if you plan properly. It's perfect for those weekend trips to nearby towns or extended city exploration. But if your idea of long-distance is riding to Shimla or Goa, you'll need more patience for charging stops than most people have.

The real shift is mental, from "let's just go" to "let's plan and go." For someone like me, who enjoys the journey as much as the destination, this planning phase has actually become part of the adventure. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about completing a 100 km day on pure electricity, knowing you haven't burned a drop of fuel.

What's your longest ride been on an electric scooter? I'd love to hear how it went.