A Trip Down Memory Lane
I remember my uncle’s old Kinetic Honda DX parked in his garage, its shiny red body gleaming under the afternoon sun. It was the coolest thing to a 10-year-old me, mostly because it had that electric start button that felt like magic back in the day.
Fast forward to now, and Kinetic Watts & Volts (the EV arm of Kinetic Engineering) has revived that same vibe with the new DX EV. The design screams retro think LED headlights flanked by Kinetic-logo-shaped DRLs, a small windscreen with “Kinetic” badging, and a boxy silhouette that’s a dead ringer for the original.
But don’t be fooled; this isn’t just a nostalgia play. It’s packed with features that make it a legit contender in today’s electric scooter market.
Variants and Pricing: Something for Everyone
The Kinetic DX EV comes in two flavors: the DX and the fancier DX+. The base DX will set you back ₹1,11,499, while the DX+ costs ₹1,17,499 (ex-showroom, Pune). Not exactly cheap, but it’s priced to go head-to-head with big names like the Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, and Ather Rizta.
You can book one now on Kinetic’s website for just ₹1,000, but act fast only 35,000 units are up for grabs in the first batch, with deliveries starting in September 2025. Oh, and color options? You’ve got five classics to choose from: Red, Blue, Black, White, and Silver (though the base DX is limited to Silver and Black). It’s like they raided the ‘90s color palette, and I’m here for it.
Power and Performance: Zippy and Practical
Under the hood or rather, the floorboard the DX EV rocks a 4.8 kW hub-mounted BLDC motor paired with a 2.6 kWh LFP battery. That setup gives you a top speed of 80 km/h for the DX and a zippy 90 km/h for the DX+.
With three riding modes Range, Power, and Turbo you can tweak it for efficiency or speed, depending on whether you’re cruising through city traffic or feeling a bit adventurous. The claimed range? A solid 102 km for the DX and 116 km for the DX+.
If you’re super chill and use the “Cruise Lock” feature to cap your speed at 25-30 km/h, Kinetic says you could stretch it to 150 km. I tried something similar on my old scooter once, and let’s just say I got some weird looks for going that slow.
Charging is a breeze too. The battery goes from 0 to 50% in 2 hours, 80% in 3 hours, and a full charge takes about 4 hours. The best part? The DX+ has this “Easy Charge” retractable cable tucked into the front apron, so you just pop it out, plug it into a standard 16A socket, and you’re good to go. No fumbling with external chargers why don’t all scooters do this?
Features That Make You Go “Whoa”
This scooter is loaded. The 8.8-inch digital display looks like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie but mimics the old DX’s analog cluster for that retro charm. You can connect it to your smartphone for calls, messages, music, and navigation.
There’s even a built-in speaker for Bluetooth tunes imagine cruising to your favorite playlist while dodging potholes. The DX+ steps it up with the “Telekinetics” app, offering goodies like geo-fencing, vehicle tracking, and an anti-theft alarm that’ll scare off anyone who tries to mess with your ride.
Oh, and get this: the scooter is password-protected. Yup, no key needed—just punch in a code on the display, like you’re unlocking your phone. If you’re old-school and want a physical key, Kinetic’s got you covered, but I kinda love the futuristic vibe of going keyless.
There’s also a “Kinetic Assist” button that connects you directly to their service center via your phone. Broke down in the middle of nowhere? One tap, and you’re talking to someone who can help.
Practicality hasn’t been ignored either. The DX EV has a massive 37-liter under-seat storage space enough for a full-face helmet, a half-face helmet, and maybe some snacks for the ride. Plus, there’s a USB-C charging port under the seat for your
phone. The flat floorboard is wide enough to carry a gas cylinder (because, India), and the “Easy Flip” pillion footpegs pop out with a button press. It’s the little things that make you go, “Okay, they thought this through.”
Built to Last
The DX EV is 99% made in India, with a sturdy metal body that feels like it could survive a minor apocalypse. Suspension-wise, you’ve got telescopic front forks and adjustable rear shocks, paired with a 220mm front disc brake and a 130mm rear drum with combi-braking.
The 12-inch wheels and regenerative braking add to the smooth ride. And the warranty? A standard 3 years or 30,000 km, but you can extend it to a whopping 9 years or 1,00,000 km for the battery. That’s practically unheard of in the EV world.
Why It’s a Big Deal
Kinetic’s not just slapping a logo on a generic scooter here. They’ve poured ₹150 crore into this project, with another ₹350 crore planned, all from family funding—no outside investors. That’s some serious commitment. The DX EV is built at a new 2-acre plant in Pune, and it’s clear they’re gunning to reclaim their spot in India’s two-wheeler market.
Ajinkya Firodia, Vice Chairman of Kinetic India, put it best: “Reviving this icon was about bringing back the reliability, innovation, and robustness that defined Kinetic for decades, giving it a future-ready soul.” I mean, come on, that’s the kind of passion that gets you excited about a scooter.
Should You Get One?
If you’re in the market for an electric scooter that’s equal parts nostalgic and cutting-edge, the Kinetic DX EV is worth a look. It’s not the cheapest option out there some rivals like the Vida VX2 might undercut it on price but the combo of retro style, smart tech, and that insane warranty makes it a strong contender. Plus, who doesn’t want a scooter that can wish you a happy birthday in 16 languages?
So, what do you think? Are you hyped for the DX EV, or is there another electric scooter stealing your heart? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s get the conversation going!
