Vietnamese EV manufacturer, which began its India project in Tamil Nadu on February 25, sold 72,468 electric scooters in Vietnam in CY2023. It has now secured a design trademark for the Klara S in India.
VinFast Auto, a company established in 2017 and renowned for its premium electric cars, has recently expanded its portfolio to include electric scooters. On February 25, 2024, VinFast initiated the construction of its electric car plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and has also secured a design patent for one of its electric scooters in India. In the calendar year 2023, VinFast achieved significant success in its home market, selling a total of 72,468 electric scooters, including the Klara S model, for which it has now registered a design trademark in India.
The Klara S electric scooter has a hub motor that delivers a nominal power of 1.8kW and a peak power of 3kW. It boasts a claimed top speed of 78kph, comparable to the popular TVS iQube. However, the Klara S distinguishes itself by utilizing an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery with a capacity of 3.5kWh, as opposed to the more common Li-Ion batteries. This allows the Klara S to achieve an impressive claimed range of 194km with a 65kg rider at a speed of 30kph. Despite the heavier nature of LFP batteries, VinFast has managed to maintain a relatively lightweight for the scooter at 122kg. Additional features of the Klara S include a 14-inch front wheel, front and rear disc brakes, a 23-litre boot, and a low seat height of 760mm.
In Vietnam, the VinFast Klara S is priced at Rs 118,000. As the company looks to enter the Indian electric two-wheeler market potentially, it will be interesting to see how it positions the Klara S in terms of pricing. The registration of the design patent for the Klara S in India could signal VinFast’s intentions to tap into the country’s rapidly growing electric two-wheeler market.
