Hero MotoCorp working on high-performance electric two-wheelers: Reports

After Bajaj and TVS, even Hero MotoCorp is planning to enter the electric mobility space in India. The company is reportedly developing high-performance electric two-wheelers at Munich technical centre,

Key Highlights

• Hero MotoCorp is reportedly developing high-performance electric vehicles

• Its first electric two-wheeler is likely to be based on Maestro Edge 125

• The company could also launch all-electric motorcycles

The Indian government's efforts and growing environmental concerns have given a push to electric mobility in India. And while there are only a handful of electric car options in our country, the same is not the case with electric two-wheelers. Given that a switch from internal combustion engine (ICE) based scooters to EVs will be spearheaded electric two-wheelers, the Indian government and several state governments are offering several incentives on electric scooters and bikes to boost their sales. This has prompted even mainstream two-wheeler makers to add electric vehicles to their portfolio. For example, Bajaj has Chetak electric while TVS has iQube electric scooter in its lineup. The third mainstream two-wheeler brand to launch electric vehicles in India will be Hero MotoCorp. According to reports, India's largest two-wheeler brand is currently developing high-performance electric two-wheelers at the technical centre in Munich, Germany.

Hero MotoCorp is reportedly exploring the possibility of developing a new platform that will underpin several fully electric vehicles. Besides this, the company will also upgrade existing platforms to accommodate electric powertrain. The first all-electric Hero two-wheeler is most likely to be based on Maestro Edge 125. This scooter was spotted at the company's research and development centre in Jaipur. The e-scooter is likely to sport Maestro Edge's silhouette but could receive different body graphics and new design for the alloy wheels. 

And as for its specifications, Hero MotorCorp's first electric scooter is expected to get a lithium-ion battery with a hub-mounted electric motor. We can expect it to offer a riding range of over 80 km/charge and a top speed of around 70 km/h. Anything less than this will make it less equipped than its key rivals. It will also get different riding modes that will help the rider optimize performance or range, depending upon the requirement. It must be noted that Hero Group already has an electric mobility division -- Hero Electric -- which is likely to remain a separate entity. Furthermore, Hero MotoCorp's new EV division will also not be associated with Ather Energy, in which the two-wheeler maker has a 34.58 per cent share.