The Government’s proposed 2025 deadline for mass adoption of Electric Vehicles has not gone down well with the manufacturers. Some companies have called the deadline impractical and unrealistic. While mass adoption of electric vehicles may or may not happen by 2025, companies are preparing their respective products for the Indian market.
Also Read: Leaked images reveal upcoming Suzuki Gixxer 250 partially
The latest confirmation of an all-electric two-wheeler for the Indian market comes from Suzuki. Devashish Handa, Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and After Sales, Suzuki Motorcycle India, has confirmed that an all-electric two-wheeler is under development. However, he remained tight-lipped about the launch details. Speaking to Indian Express, Handa said:
It is under development. The project is on. We are not to sure when we will introduce it in the Indian market, because what the government has declared so far is it’s intention. But it has to be converted to some regulation. We do not have firm regulations and till such time you have firm clarity on regulations in the Central Motor Rules it becomes very difficult for any manufacturer to time (a launch). Those things are still to be considered. But fundamental work is happening.
Regular followers of the automobile industry would know that the Ministry of Road and Transport has reportedly proposed electrification of all three- and two-wheelers under 150 cc of displacement by 2023 and 2025 respectively. The electric two-wheeler from Suzuki will compete with the products from Hero Electric, Ather Energy and Ultraviolette Automotive among other brands.
Apart from the electric-two-wheeler for the Indian market, Suzuki is developing new quarter-litre internal combustion engine-powered motorcycles for our country. The Japanese two-wheeler brand will soon introduce the 250 cc naked roadster, the Gixxer 250 and a quarter-litre cruiser motorcycle under the Intruder brand, most likely next year.
Also Read: Suzuki Gixxer 250 - IAB Rendering
Both, the naked roadster and the cruiser motorcycle will share the engine and hardware with the newly launched Suzuki Gixxer SF 250. The 249 cc fuel injected, single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve engine with Suzuki Oil Cooling System makes 26.5 PS of power at 9,000 rpm and 22.6 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. The motor uses a six-speed gearbox to send the power to the rear wheel.
Hardware specs will include fully-digital instrument console, LED headlight, telescopic forks at the front, monoshock suspension at the back, disc brake on both wheels and dual-channel ABS as standard.
[Source: IndianExpress.com]
NOTE: Images for representation only
