The past couple of months there can be seen considerable action in the electric two-wheeler space which is clear from that: Ather Energy announced plans for a new plant in Hosur, Bajaj Auto revealed the new Chetak, and Ultraviolette showcased its performance electric motorcycle.
Now Mahindra & Mahindra, through its two-wheeler arm, is getting ready to plug into electric mobility, which will make it the only OEM in India to have EVs on two, three, and four wheels which is a great achievement for the company.
Mahindra is electrifying its existing range of scooters. Mahindra is at an advanced stage of unveiling its first electric scooter based on the Mahindra Gusto scooter platform. The now-discontinued Gusto 110cc and 125cc scooter models were one of the most successful Mahindra models on two wheels.
According to the latest developments, Mahindra’s electric scooter will be revealed before Auto Expo 2020, which opens in early February. The e-scooter, for which ARAI certification has been received, is expected to be priced around Rs 80,000.
Considering Mahindra owns two electric-scooter manufacturing companies which are Mahindrda Ganze in the USA and Peugeot Motorcycles in France, it was only a matter of time before the company entered the e-mobility field on two wheels.
The upcoming Mahindra e-scooter, which has inputs from Mahindra Ganze, is powered by a 3kW motor, expected to have a range of around 80 kilometers on a single charge, and a top speed of 55-60kph. The interesting thing is that even the made-in-Pithampur Peugeot E-Ludix electric scooter has a 3kW motor. The eco-friendly Mahindra two-wheeler is known at this stage.
It will be marketed under the Mahindra Two Wheelers umbrella, although Mahindra’s other two-wheeler interests will remain separate entities – specifically Mahindra’s stake takeover in Peugeot Motorcycles, and Classic Legends, under which Mahindra intends to revive the iconic Jawa and BSA brands.
TVS is expected to launch its first electric scooter by the first quarter of 2020. Bengaluru-based Ather Energy is also working on an electric scooter which is likely to be launched soon. Ather Energy has received investments of ₹ 205 crores from India’s largest two-wheeler company, Hero MotoCorp.
