VIDA—Hero MotoCorp’s dedicated electric vehicle (EV) arm—unveiled a comprehensive suite of value-added services aimed at transforming the ownership experience for electric two-wheeler buyers across India. Timed ahead of the festive season, these offerings include extended warranties up to five years, an assured buyback program guaranteeing up to 67.5% resale value, subscription-based access to over 3,600 fast-charging stations, battery-as-a-service (BaaS) options, and 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance (RSA). By addressing longstanding consumer pain points like battery longevity, resale uncertainty, and charging accessibility, VIDA is positioning itself as a frontrunner in making EVs more dependable and affordable in a market projected to reach 10 million annual sales by 2030.This launch comes at a critical juncture for India’s electric two-wheeler segment, which saw a 50% year-on-year surge in FY25, driven by government incentives under FAME-III and falling battery costs. However, adoption has been hampered by concerns over infrastructure and long-term value. Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume with over 5.5 million units sold in August 2025 alone, launched VIDA in 2022 to capture this booming space. With recent sales momentum—dispatching 12,275 units in August and 13,313 registrations—these services are a strategic push to boost market share amid fierce rivalry from Ola Electric, Ather Energy, and TVS Motor’s iQube.Breaking Down the New Ownership Suite: Reliability Meets AffordabilityVIDA’s initiatives are designed to cover every stage of EV ownership, from purchase to resale, emphasizing long-term reliability and customer convenience. Here’s a closer look at the key components:
- Extended Warranties and Battery Protection: Owners can now opt for warranties up to five years on the vehicle and battery, with battery performance guarantees ensuring at least 70% health retention. This tackles the top worry for 60% of potential EV buyers—battery degradation—offering peace of mind for high-mileage urban commuters.
- Assured Buyback Program: VIDA promises up to 67.5% resale value after three years, based on mileage and condition, making EVs as liquid as ICE scooters. This is a game-changer in a resale market where EVs often fetch 20-30% less than petrol counterparts.
- Subscription-Based Charging: A bundled plan provides unlimited fast charging at over 3,600 stations nationwide, integrated with connected services like remote diagnostics and navigation. Priced affordably at ₹999/month, it reduces range anxiety for the 80% of riders in Tier-2/3 cities with patchy infrastructure.
- Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) and RSA: For ₹2,999/month, BaaS separates battery costs from the vehicle price, slashing upfront expenses by up to 30%. Paired with 24/7 RSA—including towing and on-site repairs—it’s a holistic safety net.
These services are available on VIDA’s lineup, including the V1 Plus (₹1.15 lakh ex-showroom, 143km range) and the upcoming V2 series, with festive offers stacking up to ₹10,000 in savings.
| Service | Key Benefits | Target Barrier Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Warranty | Up to 5 years; 70% battery health guarantee | Battery degradation concerns |
| Assured Buyback | Up to 67.5% resale after 3 years | Resale value uncertainty |
| Charging Subscription | Unlimited access to 3,600+ stations | Infrastructure and range anxiety |
| BaaS | Monthly fee for battery; lowers upfront cost | High initial purchase price |
| 24/7 RSA | Nationwide towing and repairs | Breakdown reliability |
VIDA’s Strategic Play: Hero’s Bet on Electric Dominance
Hero MotoCorp established VIDA to pivot from its ICE stronghold—where it commands 30% market share—into the EV arena, investing ₹2,000 crore in R&D and a dedicated Gujarat plant. The brand’s scooters, like the V1 Pro, feature removable batteries, AI-powered remapping for performance tweaks, and a 10.3-inch TFT dashboard, appealing to tech-savvy millennials. August 2025 sales growth of 8% YoY for Hero, with scooters up 53%, underscores VIDA’s role in this surge, contributing to consistent market share gains.
Yet, competition is cutthroat. Ola Electric leads with 35% share via its S1 series and aggressive pricing, while Ather’s 450X emphasizes premium connectivity, and TVS iQube focuses on family-friendly range (up to 100km). VIDA differentiates through Hero’s vast 6,000+ dealer network and service footprint, now EV-optimized with 200+ dedicated centers. As Dr. Swadesh Srivastava, Chief Business Officer for Emerging Mobility at Hero, noted in a recent statement, “Transitioning to electric mobility is about embracing a lifestyle—we’re making it seamless.
“Social buzz on platforms like X highlights the launch’s timeliness, with users praising the buyback as a “resale revolution” and charging perks as “finally, EV freedom.” Early adopters report 20% higher satisfaction post-launch, per industry trackers.
Why This Matters: Accelerating India’s EV Shift
India’s electric two-wheeler market, valued at ₹15,000 crore in FY25, is pivotal to the nation’s 30% EV penetration goal by 2030, reducing urban emissions and oil imports. Barriers like high upfront costs (EVs 20-30% pricier than ICE) and infra gaps (only 12,000 public chargers) have slowed progress, with 40% of buyers citing resale fears. VIDA’s suite directly counters these, potentially lifting adoption by 15-20% in the next year, per analyst estimates.For Hero, this is existential: EVs now account for 2-3% of its sales, but scaling to 10% by FY27 requires such innovations. It also aligns with FAME-III subsidies, offering up to ₹10,000/kWh incentives, making VIDA models even more compelling.
The Road Ahead: Festive Boost and Beyond
As Diwali approaches, VIDA’s services could spark a sales frenzy, building on Hero’s 23.7 lakh unit YTD dispatches. Future plans include V2 model expansions and solar-integrated charging, cementing VIDA’s eco-lifestyle ethos. In a crowded field, Hero’s blend of trust, scale, and smarts positions VIDA to charge ahead—proving that in India’s EV race, service is the ultimate accelerator.
