Reduced vehicular pollution is the need of the hour, and the Government of India has already laid the guidelines to embrace greener mobility solutions. Homegrown and international two-wheeler brands are already working towards developing battery-operated motorcycles in India. Here’s a list of five upcoming electric bikes, which includes the Royal Enfield Bullet Electric, Mahindra Mojo Electric and the Ultraviolet Electric Bike among others.
Mahindra Mojo Electric
The Mahindra Mojo Electric was spied testing in Bangalore on August 29. The test mule was spied with a final belt drive, and it came devoid of an exhaust system or a gear lever. At the moment, details or performance figures of the Mojo Electric are scarce, and we expect more details to follow in the months ahead.
Mahindra Two-Wheelers is collaboratively working with Mahindra Electric for the development of the Mojo EV. Furthermore, Mahindra Two-Wheelers is also reportedly working on an electric scooter that will be based on the Mahindra Gusto platform.
Royal Enfield Electric Bike
In December 2017, images of a Royal Enfield Electric motorcycle emerged from Thailand. While an enthusiast mechanic or a contract manufacturer could have developed the prototype, Royal Enfield's Rudratej Singh has confirmed that one of the future projects is a platform for an electric two-wheeler.
While it is premature to speculate, the first ever Royal Enfield electric bike could deploy the same chassis and mechanicals as that of the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The company could make alterations to the frame to incorporate the electric motor and battery on the bike. Mechanical components like suspension setup, brakes and tyres can be sourced from the current parts bin.
Bajaj Urbanite Electric Bike
Bajaj Auto has set up a separate sub-brand called ‘Urbanite,’ for the development of electric two-wheelers. The first electric two-wheeler, preferably a motorcycle, will be launched in India in 2020. With that said, there aren’t further details available on the upcoming Bajaj Urbanite electric vehicle.
While Bajaj Auto has ruled out getting back into the scooters business, the company had revealed that it wouldn’t deny the possibility of developing an electric scooter. However, executives did mention that it is predominantly a motorcycle company, and consumers can expect an electric bike or a scooter or both.
Ultraviolette VF-1 Electric
TVS Motor Company backed Ultraviolette Automotive is working on developing its first electric motorcycle that will be based on the Ultraviolette VF-1 Concept. The bike will reportedly boast of performance figures that are better than the KTM 200 Duke.
According to an October 20 report, the Ultraviolette Electric Bike will have a top speed of 150 km/h and an electric riding range of more than 150 km. The motorcycle will use Lithium-ion battery that will power the electric motor. According to Narayan Subramaniam, CEO - Ultraviolette Automotive, the bike is currently in its fourth generation and has been tested for over 10,000 km. TVS Motor has invested around INR 11 crore reportedly into Ultraviolette to develop its first product.
Emflux Two Electric Streetfighter
Bangalore based Emflux motors is working towards developing its second electric bike, the Emflux Two, which is a naked streetfighter. Dubbed as the ‘Futurefighter,’ the Emflux Two seems to have a radical design, which is inspired by the KTM 1290 Super Duke.
According to the company, the Emflux Two is in the early stages of development and will be launched in India by mid-2020. The bike is likely to borrow the chassis, electric motor and other cycle parts from the Emflux One superbike. The streetfighter could retail in India around INR 5 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Emflux One is on track to be delivered to the customers. The company is working towards ironing out a few electrical issues and taking feedback from industry veterans. The bike will be sent for ARAI certification in 2019 and will be available for delivery by the end of next year.
UM Renegade Thor Electric Cruiser
The UM Renegade Thor electric cruiser was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. The bike is available with three battery options, and the prices start from INR 4.9 lakh and go all the way up to INR 9.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Renegade Thor is likely to go on sale in 2019.
The UM Renegade Thor is powered by a three-phase asynchronous induction electric motor that is coupled to a high-power Li-Po (lithium polymer) battery, with an in-built board charger and fast charging. The electric motor produces 40 bhp of maximum power and 70 Nm of peak torque. The Renegade Thor has a top speed of 180 km/h.
The UM Renegade Thor will be available with multiple battery options. There’s a 7.5 kWh unit that will offer an electric riding range of up to 81 km, while a mid-range 15 kWh battery pack will provide a range of up to 149 km. The top-spec 27 kWh battery option will increase the riding range to up to 270 km. UM will also offer two years of free charging to customers at all UM dealerships across India.
