BGauss RUV 350 Review: A Quirky and Comfortable Electric Scooter
The RUV 350, from the lesser-known Pune-based company BGauss, offers a unique twist in the electric scooter market. With its distinctive design and features, can it stand out against the established players?
Design and Features
BGauss has designed the RUV 350 (Rider’s Utility Vehicle) to handle the diverse roads of India. It features large 16-inch wheels, a telescopic fork, and a monoshock, giving it a unique appearance reminiscent of step-through scooters seen in Asian cities. Available in four colors, most variants come with brightly painted wheels. The RUV’s design is similar to the now-discontinued BGauss D15, but with significant differences under the hood, such as the new ‘InWheel Hyperdrive’ motor replacing the D15’s hub motor.
The RUV 350 is not overly tech-laden but includes a new 5-inch TFT display with two viewing modes. It can connect to your smartphone via the BGauss app for navigation and call alerts, although this feature isn’t fully ready yet. The scooter also has three riding modes—Sport, Ride, and Eco—along with hill hold, cruise control, and a vehicle fall-safe system. However, navigating the menus can be cumbersome.
Performance and Handling
The RUV 350 is powered by a 3kWh LFP battery, offering a claimed real-world range of 120km. During testing, the range indicator showed some inaccuracies. The standard 500W charger takes nearly 7 hours for a full charge, with faster chargers expected soon. Testing around BGauss’s Chakan plant, the scooter handled speedbreakers smoothly, indicating good suspension performance.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The RUV 350’s neutral rider’s triangle and well-padded seat provide a comfortable ride. There’s enough space for a pillion even with a large rider. The handlebar, however, can hit the rider’s knees during U-turns, although sliding back on the seat helps. The turning radius is good, but performance is average. Even in Sport mode, acceleration is modest, with a top speed of 75kph. The Eco mode, capped at 45kph, is sufficient for city use, and throttle response is generally good.
Braking and Stability
The RUV 350’s 130mm drum brakes require a hard pull to stop and lack feel, affecting the hill hold function. BGauss would benefit from upgrading to a front disc setup. The scooter’s 16-inch wheels offer better stability compared to smaller scooters, allowing reasonable lean angles before the main stand scrapes.
Issues and Verdict
During testing, several issues arose. The smartphone app failed to connect, and hard braking caused a sound and mild fork vibration. BGauss promises to address these issues, including improving plastic quality and redesigning the key fob to prevent accidental shutdowns.
The RUV 350 is a quirky, spacious scooter with a plush ride. However, at Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune) for the top-spec Max variant, it’s pricier than competitors like the Ather Rizta Z 2.9 and TVS iQube 3.4. The entry-level variant at Rs 1.09 lakh offers better value, making the RUV 350 an interesting but premium option in the e-scooter market.
