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      Electric Scooter Full Charge In 15 Minutes – New Gen Battery Charging Tech By Indian Startup

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      Log 9 Battery Pack Powered Electric Scooter
      The technology is claimed to offer 5x more power while being 5x safer

      Bangalore-based deep technology startup Log 9 Materials which was incubated by IIT Roorkee has unveiled rapid charging battery packs for two and three-wheeler electric vehicles. The battery packs which are claimed to be fully charged in under 15 minutes will be targeting the B2B segment once the pilot runs are completed.
      Log 9 Materials ultra-fast charging battery packs
      Based on supercapacitor technology, Log 9’s ultra-fast charging battery packs employ graphene which is claimed to make them superior as compared to their conventional lithium-ion counterparts. The company says that the rapid charging battery packs can last more than 15 years thereby arriving at a very low cost/km ratio.
      The graphene based supercapacitor battery packs are also claimed to be five times more powerful and five times better when it comes to fire and impact resistance when compared to widely used lithium-ion battery packs. As far as the range is concerned, the two wheeler (scooters, motorcycles) battery packs are said to offer a true range of 70 km on a full charge while the three wheeler (rickshaw / cargo) battery packs are good for 60-80 km.
      Log 9 has commenced large scale pilot projects with logistic, mobility and e-commerce giants including Amazon, Delhivery, Vogo, Shadaowfax etc. The pilot program is expected to run for few more months before the commercial launch. The focus will be on the intra-city B2B segment which also includes two wheelers used for food deliveries.
      Log 9 Battery Pack Powered Electric 3 Wheeler
      Advantages and prospects
      The current two and three wheelers EVs in our market have an average charging time of 4 to 5 hours. Given that a fleet’s revenue generating capacity is directly linked to downtime, rapid charging batteries have significant potential in increasing profitability in the long run.
      Speaking about the business prospects, Log 9’s Founder and CEO Akshay Singhal revealed that the company has identified OEMs and fleet operators in both two and three wheeler segments for the integration of its graphene-based rapid charging battery packs.It is estimated that there are nearly 10 lakh two wheelers involved in the country’s last mile delivery segment and this population is projected to triple by 2025. This is also the segment which is witnessing largest EV adoption in the country.
      Log 9 believes that its ultra-fast charging battery packs are the most viable solution to maximize the performance of last-mile two and three wheeler applications. The technology is claimed to be much more cost effective than battery swapping approach which involves heavy investments and operational hassles.
      Log 9 Materials has been working on various energy storage solutions for electric vehicle applications. It is said to be the only company in the country to be actively working on Alumininum fuel cell technology which is suitable for long haul LCVs and HCVs. This project is currently in development stage. More

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      Royal Enfield Cruiser 650 Ground Clearance Detailed In New Spy Shots

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      Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser
      The upcoming 650cc cruiser twins are likely to offer different riding dynamics and wear different monikers

      Royal Enfield fans are an excited bunch as the company has plans to launch multiple new products, hence every spy shot of an upcoming motorcycle gets noticed. While the company has quite a few exciting launches headed in the coming future, one of the bikes that has garnered a lot of attention is the brand’s upcoming 650cc cruiser.
      Test mules of the cruiser have been spotted on multiple occasions over the past year or so but only a couple of months we came to know that there might be more than one derivative of the upcoming bike. It might be the case of two different models or two different variants of the same model.
      Building on the popularity of 650cc Twins, this new cruiser will share its underpinnings as well as its power source with the twin roadsters. The first hint of a new addition to the Royal Enfield family was dropped at the EICMA 2018 where it showcased the KX Bobber Concept. When the first prototype was spotted last year, it bore a lot of resemblance with the concept displayed at EICMA.
      Design Highlights
      Among the two derivatives of the cruiser spotted earlier, one boasts of a traditional cruiser setup with forward-set footpegs, a wide handlebar and a typical low-slung stance. The other one has a more conventional upright seating position with center-set footpegs and slightly shorter handlebars. While the former is expected to wear a brand new name tag, the latter is expected to wear the branding of either Classic 650 or Meteor 650.

      Cruisers generally have a longer wheelbase and low seat height. This combination probably results in lower ground clearance. The latest spy video is credit to way2speed. As can be seen above, the video gives a better idea about the ground clearance of the 650cc Cruiser.
      Design-wise, both motorcycles adopt retro classic elements although the KX650 looks like a proper cruiser while the other one is a classic roadster. The former also wears a fatter 130 section of tyres and a larger rear fender. Common design elements on both bikes include a retro-styled round headlamp, a low split-style saddle and twin exhausts. A pillion backrest could be offered as an accessory on both bikes.
      Expected Hardware, Features & Powertrain
      As mentioned earlier, both bikes will share underpinnings with the current 650cc Twins- Interceptor and Continental GT. However, suspension setup is likely to be different. These cruisers are expected to feature upside down USD forks at front and twin shock absorbers at rear which are mounted at a greater angle than what is seen on 650 Twins.
      RE 650cc cruiser
      Disc brakes on both ends are almost a given. Other features expected to be on offer are dual-channel ABS, slipper and assist clutch and a semi-digital instrument console with a dedicated pod for Tripper Navigation.
      As far as powertrain is concerned, it will draw its power from the familiar 648cc parallel-twin air-cooled motor that cranks out 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. It will be mated to a six-speed gearbox. More details on these motorcycles are expected to be furnished ahead of their launch. We expect at least one of them hit showrooms by the end of this year. More

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      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS Launch Price Rs 66k – Rs 1k More Than H Gear

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      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS
      Platina is the first 110 cc commuter motorcycle in India to get ABS

      In a move that could make rivals sit up and take notice, Bajaj has launched its popular Platina 110 motorcycle with ABS. This will be a segment-first feature that could attract customers looking for improved safety.
      As per rules, ABS is mandatory only for two-wheelers above 125cc. For below 125cc motorcycles, it is mandatory to have combined breaking system (CBS). Platina 110 current model has CBS. It has 240mm disc at the front and 110 mm drum brake at the rear with CBS. The ABS variant will have single-channel ABS integrated with the front disc brake.
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS other updates
      To ensure that the ABS variant does not become too pricey, Bajaj has downgraded some of the features available with current model (Platina H-gear). For example, the semi-digital instrument console has been replaced with a completely analogue unit. Platina 110 ABS has analogue speedometer and odometer unit on the left, which also displays the ABS icon. On the right, there is analogue fuel gauge along with other standard indictors.
      In comparison, the semi-digital instrument console on-board Platina 110 H-gear model has features such as trip meter, gear shift indicator, low battery indicator and clock. Another cost cutting measure is a standard sticker that replaces the 3D ‘Platina’ logo on the fuel tank.
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS
      To create a distinct identity for Platina 110 ABS variant, Bajaj has introduced some visual updates. Key among them is white coloured alloy wheels.  It is to note that other Bajaj motorcycles such as the premium Pulsar RS and NS range have this type of styling. In other updates, turn indicators have been replaced with sleeker units and there is ‘ABS’ branding in gold shade.
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS engine
      Bajaj Platina 110 ABS will continue using the 115.45 cc, single cylinder, electronic injection engine that is capable of generating 8.6 PS of max power at 7000 rpm and 9.81 Nm of peak torque at 5000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
      Suspension system will also be the same as earlier; telescopic units at the front and Nitrox gas canister based rear suspension. Bajaj Platina 110 ABS will continue to offer superior comfort to users, which has been one of its primary USPs.
      Bajaj introducing a premium safety feature in its 110 cc monocycle is commendable. However, it remains to be seen if the strategy translates into sale volumes. Platina 110 ABS is priced at Rs 65,926 while the current model H Gear retails at a starting price of Rs 64,685 (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Price is an important factor in this segment, so not all customers may be willing to pay a higher price.
      Mr Sarang Kanade, President – Domestic Motorcycles Business Unit, Bajaj Auto Ltd said, “The new Platina 110 ABS offers unmatched safety by offering riders complete control over unforeseen braking scenarios. We hope that millions of Indians who ride across varying terrains & roads of the country would take cognizance of the need to keep themselves & their loved ones safe and upgrade to the best-in-segment braking technology. The brand Platina has an unmatched proposition of Comfort with over 7 million satisfied customers as a testament to its segment-leading attributes and now with the addition of ABS, it remains a generation ahead of its competitors.” More

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      2021 CFMoto 300NK BS6 Launch Price Rs 2.29 L – KTM Duke Rival

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      CFMOTO 300NK
      The 2021 CFMoto 300NK is offered with minute styling revisions and a BS6 updated engine

      For the entire 2020, we barely got to hear about Chinese bikemaker CFMoto. The company neither launched any new products nor did it update its existing ones. Many were made to believe that would put a full stop on the company’s operations in India with the outbreak of novel coronavirus until recently, after a long time it made its presence felt in social media.
      A few days ago, the manufacturer had shared a couple of teasers of the upcoming BS6 avatar of 300NK. Now, the Chinese brand has launched the updated naked streetfighter in India at the same price as its BS4 predecessor.  Therefore, the BS6 compliant 300NK will be retailed at a price of Rs 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom).
      Updated Design
      At first glance, one wouldn’t notice any major differences because there aren’t any. There are only subtle cosmetic variations from its BS4 iteration which include small tweaks to fuel tank covers and tank extensions.
      The updated 300NK continues to sport the same styling which features design elements such as a low-slung full-LED headlamp, an upswept rear section, a muscular fuel tank, an underbelly exhaust and a rear-fender mounted number plate.
      CFMOTO 300NK BS6
      Contrasting blue colours of its fuel tank cover and frame make it look edgier and sportier with the influence of KISKA. These are the same folks who have designed KTM’s Duke range of motorcycles. It rides on new Y-shaped spoke alloy wheels with new contrasting coloured rims instead of the older star alloy spoke design.
      BS6 Updated Engine
      The major update has been in its engine department which now complies with the latest BS6 emission norms. One can sport the large catalytic converter below the engine underbelly. It continues to be powered by a 292.4cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which in its BS4 guise kicked out 33.5 bhp and 20.5 Nm of peak torque.
      The exact specifications of the engine are yet to be revealed officially although output figures might alter slightly to its BS4 predecessor. It will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox but will miss out on a slip and assist clutch.
      Mechanical Configurations
      Its hardware setup has also remained untouched with it being based on a steel Trellis frame. Suspension duties will be taken care of by upside-down USD forks at front and a mono-shock at rear. Braking duties will be handled by calipers from J. Juan which are chewed down by single discs at both ends. The braking setup will be assisted by dual-channel ABS.
      CFMoto 300NK will take on the likes of BMW G310R and KTM 250 Duke. Its launch will be followed by the introduction of other models of the Chinese brand including 650NK, 650MT and 650GT. The company is also planning to launch an electric two-wheeler in India at some stage in the near future. More

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      Two Wheeler Sales Feb 2021 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Suzuki

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      Image – Biker Babu
      Hero MotoCorp and Honda Two-wheelers lead the table at about 9 lakh sales in February 2021

      Two wheeler domestic wholesales in February 2021 improved YoY. In fact 6 of the top 7 manufacturers reported growth in wholesales. As always Hero MotoCorp led from the top reporting growth at under a percent. Wholesales were up at 4,84,433 units, up from 4,80,196 units. Volume gain is reported at 4,237 units.
      Honda two wheelers gained significantly at 30.54 percent growth. Wholesales were up at 4,11,578 units, up from 3,15,285 units. Volume gain is reported at 96,293 units. For Hero, it was the Splendor which was the best-seller and for Honda, it was the Activa.
      YoY growth
      TVS reported 15 percent growth at volume gain of over 25k units. Wholesales were up at 1,95,145 units, up from 1,69,684 units. Bajaj reported marginal gain at 1,48,934 units, up from 1,46,876 units. Volume gain was just over 2k units at 1.40 percent growth.
      Royal Enfield reported 6.42 percent growth, and volume gain was just below 4k units. Wholesales are up at 65,114 units from 61,188 units. Suzuki two-wheelers reported 1.51 percent growth. Volumes grew to 59,530 units, up from 58,644 units. Volume gain stood at 886 units. Volume gain for the aforementioned manufacturers stood at 1,32,861 units. Cumulative wholesales is reported at 13,64,734 units, up from 12,31,873 units.
      Two Wheeler Sales Feb 2021. Other Two Wheeler brands are yet to reveal sales report.
      MoM growth for Hero MotoCorp is reported at 3.56 percent, up from 4,67,776 units. Honda reported MoM decline at 1.23 percent, down from 4,16,716 units. TVS reports MoM decline at under 5 percent, down rom 2,05,216 units.Bajaj reported MoM decline at 5.38 percent, down from 1,57,404 units. Royal Enfield MoM gain stood at 1.15 percent, up from 64,372 units. Suzuki reports MoM gain at 4.43 percent up from 57,004 units.
      Two wheeler exports
      While Bajaj Auto doesn’t top the sales domestic chart, where exports are concerned, its reach is undisputed. Last month exports rose to 1,83,629 units, up from 1,63,346 units. Volume gain stood at over 20k units at 12.42 percent gain. TVS was able to improve exports to 89,436 units at about 35 percent growth. Volume growth stood at 23,229 units, up from 66,207 units.
      Honda exports grew to 31,118 units, up from 26,736 units at 16.39 percent growth. Hero exports were up at 21,034 units at 16.56 percent growth, up from 18,046 units.
      Two Wheeler Exports Feb 2021
      Suzuki exports grew by 30.21 percent. Exports rose to 12,132 units, up from 9,317 units. Enfield exports were up at 4,545 units, up from 2,348 units. Just like domestic wholesales, all 6 manufacturers reported improvement in exports.
      Bajaj reported MoM decline in exports at under 20 percent. Exports fell to 1,83,629 units, down from 2,27,532 units. TVS exports were flat. As was Royal Enfield. Honda’s was most at volume gain of over 10k units. All other aforementioned manufacturers reported MoM growth in exports. At the time of publishing Yamaha had not yet announced sales in February 2021. More

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      Kabira Electric Motorcycles 1st Batch Of 5,000 Units Sold Out In 4 Days

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      Kabira Electric Motorcycles have even garnered interest from International market
      Kabira Mobility Electric Motorcycles KM3000 and KM4000 are sold out for now

      New vehicle bookings are quite rightly the backbone of a brand’s existence. And having greater control on how these bookings are dispatched in timely manner is the winning strategy.
      A fortnight ago, Kabira Mobility launch two electric motorcycles. KM3000 and KM4000 at a launch price of Rs 1.27L and Rs 1.37L, respectively. The manufacturer has now confirmed its first batch is sold out. The current order book is 5,000 units strong. And it took 4 days to get the confirmations.
      Potential for electric motorcycles
      Kabira KM3000 Electric Motorcycle comes with a range of 120 kms while the KM4000 comes with a 150 kms range. Given the overwhelming response to the first time manufacturers launchpad, if the bikes have piqued your interest, you’ll simply have to wait it out. The current diversion will allow Kabira Mobility to plan production and dispatch effectively for logistics to be optimal.
      As the EV market in India adapt and strengthens, it’s the availability of electric motorcycles in all its glory that will enthral us one day. Current market trends show motorcycles being the top purchase among vehicle types. But for now there’s even lesser than a handful of electric motorcycles being sold in India.
      Kabira KM3000 Electric Motorcycle
      Handful of electric motorcycles
      While traditionally scooters trail motorcycle sales, for now e-scooters have bucked the trend for electric two-wheelers. Since there are a growing number of low-speed electric scooters that contribute to sales, electric scooter sales is way more than motorcycles for electric two-wheelers.
      Some of these scooters can be ridden without a licence or even having to register the unit. And for a while, until EV policies are more exacting and specific, multiple factors will aid and encourage the low-speed scooter segment.
      An early mover advantage could have longterm benefits. For now, the bigger names in two-wheeler manufacturing show no indication of entering the EV market with full force. This has created somewhat of a space where it’s anyone’s game. 2021 will also see Ola enter the two-wheeler market. With India’s two wheeler market being humongous, the opportunities here will be endless.
      Kabira KM4000 Electric Motorcycle
      Current circumstances following Covid-19 pandemic related lockdown sees more and more people consider two-wheeler purchases. The trend has even boosted the performance of electric scooters. Petrol prices are currently between 90 and 100 bucks, and app-based companies are having to consider pay hikes to compensate rides appropriately.
      A number of e-commerce bigwigs are already focused on commercial electric vehicles in their fleets, and this pattern is expected to trickle down to rider vehicles too. More

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      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6 India Launch Price Rs 3.18 Lakh

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      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300
      New Ninja 300 will rival the likes of TVS Apache RR 310 and the KTM RC 390

      New Kawasaki Ninja 300 has been launched in India today. Price starts from Rs 3.18 lakhs, ex-sh. The BS4 model was sold at a starting price of Rs 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom). This makes the BS6 version Rs 20k more expensive than BS4 Ninja 300.
      Track-ready Ninja 300 BS4 was among the bestselling products in its segment and Kawasaki will be hoping to achieve similar results with the BS6 model. Ninja 300 is preferred for its sporty profile, dominating road presence and superior performance.
      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 key updates
      As far as design is concerned, new Ninja 300 is largely the same as the earlier model. Most of the features have been carried forward including aggressive dual headlamp, design of the fairing, compact and sculpted fuel tank, front blinkers on the fairing, split style seats, upswept exhaust, chrome heat shield on the muffler, and minimalist tail section.
      The only major change in new Ninja 300 is the availability of new colour options. The primary new colour is a peppy shade of green, which has been used in different variations with other colours to create the new themes. One of these themes utilizes a combo of the new green shade and sporty red and white accents.
      2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300
      Another colour theme is a blacked-out version that has minimal use of the new green shade. The third option is a combo of green and black. These new themes also have sporty, mesh-type decals on the fairing.
      The new green shade is similar to the Lime Green option that was available with the earlier model. Colour options for BS4 Ninja 300 also included Ebony / Metallic Moon Dust Grey, Candy Plasma Blue and Lime Green / Ebony. It is not certain if these will be retained for new Ninja 300.
      New Ninja 300 powertrain
      Powering 2021 Ninja 300 will be the same engine as earlier, which has been tweaked to comply with BS6 emission standards. The BS4 296cc, parallel-twin, liquid cooled engine was capable of generating 38.4 bhp of max power at 11,000 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 10,000 rpm. Engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Power and torque output of the BS6 engine is similar to the BS4 unit.
      Next in line, is the launch of the Kawasaki Versys X-300 BS6. It is expected to be launch in the coming weeks. Kawasaki India has already shared a teaser of the motorcycle on their social media page. Once launched, it will take on the likes of KTM 390 ADV and BMW G310 GS. More

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      Honda Scooter, Motorcycle Sales Feb 2021 – Activa, Shine, CB350, Dio, Unicorn

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      Image – Gyani Enough
      Honda reached sales milestone of 1.5 crore units in South India

      Honda 2Wheelers India witnessed 7th straight month of positive YoY sales growth as it ended February 2021 with 30.54% growth in domestic sales compared to the same month last year. The domestic two wheeler market is projected to have a double digit growth this year owning to a low base BSVI transition last year but Honda is confident of outperforming the industry average.
      Honda 2Wheelers February 2021 sales
      Last month, the Japanese two wheeler giant dispatched 411,578 units in the domestic market which is 96,293 units more than what it managed in February 2020. The MoM figure dropped marginally by 1.23% but then February has 3 less days compared to the preceding month.
      As far as export markets are concerned, Honda witnessed a 16% YoY growth as BSVI models started gaining traction in overseas markets as well. 31,118 units were shipped last month compared to 26,736 units in February 2020. Overall, Honda 2Wheelers India clocked 442,696 units last year, an increment of over 1 lakh units compared to the same month last year (YoY growth of 29.44%).
      Key sales highlights in February 2021
      In February 2021, Honda 2Wheelers India expanded its BigWings premium dealership footprint by inaugurating three new outlets in Thane, Siliguri and Vadodara. With this, Honda now has 18 BigWing outlets in addition to the 5 BigWing Topline (retails the brand’s entire range of 300+ cc models). More outlets are set to be added in due course as the company is looking to maximize the potential of its new Honda CB350 lineup.
      Honda 2 Wheeler Sales Feb 2021
      Speaking of the CB350, a sportier variant called the CB350RS was introduced last month. The retro-classic motorcycle which debuted in October 2020 also crossed its 10,000 sales milestone last month.
      With first-in-segment features like assist and slipper clutch, and Honda Selectable Torque Control, the CB350 emerges as a very attractive proposition, especially at a starting price of INR 1.96 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle is sitting on huge number of bookings and Honda is working to increase the production capacity and decrease the waiting period.
      February 2021 also marks Honda’s achievement 1.5 crore sales milestone in South India which establishes it as the leading motorcycle brand in that part of the nation. The company also claims to have become the first choice of 70 lakh families in North India.
      Upcoming launches
      Buoyed by the success of its new 350 cc motorcycle, Honda is gearing up to augment its well priced premium motorcycle portfolio. Rumors suggest that the company is getting ready to introduce the Honda CB500X medium displacement adventure tourer in April 2021.
      Likely to be imported a a CBU, the motorcycle will slot between the KTM 390 Adventure and Kawsaki Versys 650 with a final balance between performance, features and affordability. Based on its reception, rest of Honda’s popular 500 cc lineup could make it to our shores eventually. More