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      TVS Plans Rs 1,200 Cr Investment For Upcoming Electric Motorcycles, EVs

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      TVS electric motorcycle render. Credit – Abin DesignsThe latest MoU between TVS and Tamil Nadu will have a significant beneficial effect on small and medium industries directly or indirectly associated with TVS
      TVS Motor has taken a giant leap towards electrification. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Tamil Nadu. According to the MoU, TVS will be investing a whopping Rs 1,200 crore over a period of four years in the electric vehicle (EV) space in the state.
      The MoU was signed at the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2021 in Coimbatore in the presence of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin and Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company. The investment will cater to building EVs and developments of future technologies in the electric mobility space.
      TVS Upcoming Electric Vehicles – New EV factory
      A majority of this investment will be spent on building a new manufacturing facility in the state which will specifically cater to design, development and manufacturing of new products and capacity expansion in the EV space. The investment also reflects TVS’ continued commitment towards the state’s overall economic growth as a responsible corporate citizen.
      TVS stated that it is transforming itself into a digital age company with a connected, sustainable and electric brand. The company is committed to leading the technology development in EV and green fuel and leading the way to the electrification of the two-wheeler segment in the country.
      TVS Creon Electric Scooter Concept
      This development comes after Ola Electric made a swashbuckling entry into the country’s EV space earlier this year with a new Futurefactory, which is the world’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturing facility.
      TVS might retail its future battery-powered models in a separate vertical dedicated to EVs. TVS reportedly has plans to launch a range of new electric vehicles including scooters, motorcycles, three wheelers, etc in the coming years. All these are expected to be manufactured at this new plant.
      TVS iQube- Mechanical Specs & Features
      Currently, TVS has only one EV offering in the form of iQube electric scooter in its entire lineup. Initially launched in January last year, the e-scooter is now available in many cities across the country. Priced a little more than Rs 1 lakh, it directly rivals the likes of Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and Ola S1. TVS iQube sales crossed the 4k mark for 2021 last month. It has stayed ahead of rival Chetak by a margin of about 200 units.
      Powering iQube is a 4.4kW hub-mounted BLDC motor that derives its energy from a 2.25kWh battery pack. This powertrain returns 3kW power and 140 Nm of peak torque and a claimed range of 75km for a single charge. The e-scooter gets two modes- Eco and Sport.
      iQube also comes loaded with features such as full-LED lighting along with a full-colour TFT instrument cluster sporting TVS’ SmartXonnect function. It allows connecting the display with a smartphone through Bluetooth for giving access to various information such as ride stats, remote battery range and geo-fencing. More

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      Hero Electric Scooter, EV Sales Double In 2021 Festive Season

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      Hero Electric ScootersHero Electric sales touched the 24k mark in the period from 1st Oct 2021 to 15th Nov 2021
      Hero Electric scooter and EV sales numbers foster a spirited outlook this festive season. Through 2021 festive season (October 01 – November 15, 2020), Hero Electric sales stood at 24,000 units. In comparison, for the same period last year, sales were at 11,339 units.
      Amended FAME II policy and fuel price fluctuations have helped strengthen focus on electric vehicles, and thereby resulted in increase in demand. Overall focus on EVs sees certain segments spearhead growth. This includes government backed public transport developments, and the focus of electric fleets by delivery businesses.
      On the consumer front, electric scooters and motorcycles are being projected as the next big thing. To support this, there’s been more awareness around such development. Updates to FAME II policy mean one can avail of rebates for specified vehicle segments. Over time, investments have been enhanced to strengthen charging infrastructure to help reduce range anxiety.
      Hero Electric Retail Sales Double In 2021 Festive Season
      Hero Electric’s growing customer base has seen the company report retail sales of 24k units during 2021 festive season. The manufacturer’s ‘30 days, 30 bikes’ festive offer fuelled sales momentum this festive season. And was designed for customers purchasing a Hero Electric two-wheeler with a chance to get their vehicle free.
      Hero Electric Scooter Sales
      FY2022 gaols revolved around ‘strong sales target’ and ‘market share’. During the time, sales touchpoints expansion is targeted at a 1,000 units. 300 new sales touchpoints will be made operational, adding to the current network of 700 such units. Expansion targets are in tandem with segment growth projection of 20 percent over the next five years. Production capacity expansion is on the cards.
      Electric Two Wheeler segment growth
      In the longer run, Hero targets to add 1 million customers annually. A strong EV ecosystem is being developed by installing charging infrastructure in major cities. A partnership with EV charging start-up Charzer targets 10k charging stations to start with.
      Through first year ops, chargers will be set up across Hero Electric dealerships. Charzer mobile app and website will aid users find the nearest charging station.The collab targets 1 lakh such stations, and the job is to be completed in 3 years. Simultaneously, the mechanic network is being developed by training those servicing petrol bikes to handle upkeep of electric two-wheelers.
      Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Electric, said, “We saw two clear indicators in our showrooms this festive season. A significant percentage of customers chose Hero Electric bikes over the Petrol bikes and many factored environment and sustainability as influencing factors in their purchase. This is a good indicator for Hero and the E2W industry to step into an exponential growth and bring around an EV revolution that will help reduce air pollution and make our cities a better place.” More

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      2022 Honda ADV 350 Scooter Debuts At EICMA – New Features

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      2022 Honda ADV 3502022 Honda ADV 350 will be launched in Europe first – It is not expected to be launched in India
      2022 Honda ADV has made its global debut. This adventure scooter will be on public display at the EICMA 2021, being held from November 25-28. This is the company’s third offering in the adventure scooter segment – that also includes models like the X-ADV and the ADV150.
      Honda ADV 350 comes with styling borrowed from the X-ADV. It will be presented in three colour options of Spangle Silver Metallic, Matte Carbonium Gray Metallic and Matte Carnelian Red Metallic. It sits on a tubular steel frame. Speaking about dimensions, it is 2200mm in length, 895mm in width and 1295mm in height. It has a 1520 mm wheelbase. Though based on the Honda Forza 350, the ADV 350 is bigger and heavier than the former at 186 kgs.
      2022 Honda ADV 350 – Features and Styling
      Honda ADV 350 sports dual LED headlamps. It gets a two stage adjustable windscreen which can be adjusted via a slide-lock mechanism through 2 stages and 133mm travel. A USB Type C socket is positioned in the left glove box while seat height is at 795m. Under seat storage is at a premium with 48 liter capacity making it large enough to accommodate two full face helmets.
      On board features include an LCD instrument cluster with Honda Smartphone Voice Control system, Honda RoadSync All. It also gets connectivity via Bluetooth to the user’s smartphone allowing for voice management of phone calls and music. Smart Key controls the main ignition switch knob and seat locking from the rider’s pocket and automatically locks the scooter when the rider is out of a certain range.
      2022 Honda ADV 350
      Engine Specs
      Honda ADV 350 is powered by a 330cc, SOHC, four valve engine making 21.5 kW (29 PS) peak power at 7,500 rpm and 31.5 Nm torque at 5,250 rpm. Fuel efficiency is rated at 30km/l economy (WMTC mode) with a potential 340km+ range on a full tank.
      Ideally suited both for city and out of city riding, the ADV 350 gets 37mm inverted fork with 125mm travel in the front. Rear suspension is via twin shock absorbers with 130mm travel. Front tyre is 120/70 R15 while rear tyre is 140/70 R14. Braking is via single disc in the front and rear via 2 channel ABS.
      Connectivity
      Keeping its rider fully connected, the ADV350’s LCD dash integrates the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system, which links the rider to their smartphone while on the move and allows voice management of phone calls and music. A helmet-mounted headset and Honda’s RoadSync app are all that is needed to activate the system, and the smartphone connects via Bluetooth; management of Honda Smartphone Voice Control System is from the left switchgear.
      Honda is also offering the ADV 350 with a list of accessories. These include a 50 liter smart top box, rear carrier rack, inner bags and heated grips. The list also includes a U lock and outdoor cover. More

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      MV Agusta 550cc Adventure Motorcycle Concept At EICMA 2021

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      MV Agusta 550cc Adventure Motorcycle ConceptThe Lucky Explorer 5.5 Concept previews the upcoming 550cc adventure tourer from MV Agusta which is based on QJ 500GS
      Whenever the brand MV Agusta pops up in mind, one is bound to think of high-speed sports bikes. Even though the Italian brand has a motorcycle like Turismo Veloce, which is a deviation from its usual track-spec machines, the bikemaker has mastered the art of racing with such finesse that riders tend to associate it only with the latter.
      However, MV Agusta has been making attempts to break its image and step out of its comfort zone in recent times. Hence, at the ongoing 2021 EICMA in Milan, Italy, the company has unveiled its upcoming adventure tourer. Named Lucky Explorer 5.5, this pre-production concept has been designed to take on rough roads as well as munch long miles.
      Lucky Explorer 5.5 – Styling Highlights
      The motorcycle has been jointly developed in association with its Chinese partner Qianjiang Motors. In fact, the concept is based on QJ 500GS since a large number of parts in Lucky Explorer 5.5 have been derived from the Chinese ADV. Even the design of both bikes are largely similar to each other.
      The front end of the bike gets an almost flat nose featuring twin-beam round LED headlights and integrated circular LED DRL rings giving it an angry-looking face. The heavily-faired front body panels get a prominent blacked-out air intake for improved aerodynamics. Other highlights include a front windscreen, a large engine bash plate and split-style seats.
      MV Agusta 550cc Adventure Motorcycle Concept
      The split seating setup should offer ample comfort since the stepped-up pillion seat also acts as lumbar support to the rider. The raised tail section gets split grab rails and a mounting rack for luggage. The side-on canister is attached to an exhaust pipe which appears to be mounted on the rear swingarm. The tall and wide handlebar along with centre-set footpegs should offer comfortable riding ergonomics.
      Underpinnings & Mechanical Specs
      The overall rugged appearance is well-rounded by some snazzy graphics on the white panels. To further accentuate its ADV character, the motorcycle rides on wire-spoke wheels that are shod with chunky dual-purpose tyres. The Lucky Explorer 5.5 appears to be underpinned by the same steel frame used by both QJMotor and Benelli for their respective 500cc offerings.
      That said, MV Agusta has used its own 550cc parallel-twin motor that has a 70.5mm bore and 71mm stroke. This powerplant has been designed from scratch and is said to offer a wide torque curve available all through the rev range. Other mechanical components such as the 41mm front forks and disc brake calipers sourced from Brembo seem to be high spec.
      It should be reminded to our readers that this isn’t the final production-spec bike and its official specs are yet to be revealed. With this middleweight adventure tourer, MV Agusta is targeting Asian markets and a few European markets with a product that could be the brand’s most affordable offering to date. MV Agusta also revealed 950cc adventure concept, which can be seen below. More

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      New Greta Electric Scooters Launch Price Rs 60k Onwards – Range 100 Kms

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      Greta Electric Scooter Harper ZXVast untapped potential of electric two-wheeler segment has been consistently attracting new players from diverse business backgrounds
      In terms of number of parts and complexity, electric two-wheelers are fairly easy to manufacture as compared to their petrol-powered counterparts. It explains why startups and tech companies are aggressively targeting this space.
      Latest entrant in this segment is Greta Electric Scooters that has launched four new electric scooters. Greta is part of Raj Electromotives, which specializes in converting pedal powered bicycles, rickshaws, tricycles, and bikes to electric. The company had received approval for its electric scooters in 2019 from International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT).
      Greta electric scooters
      The four scooters launched by Greta are Harper, Harper ZX, Evespa and Glide. Each has different body styling and is offered in unique colour options. For example, Harper and Harper ZX have a sporty profile with prominent front apron, sharp body panels and sleek turn signals.
      One key difference between the two is that Harper has dual headlamp unit whereas Harper ZX has single headlamp. Other features such as handlebar cowl, rear view mirrors, and seat are largely the same on both scooters. Pillion riders can expect extra comfort, as both scooters have backrest.
      Greta Electric Scooter Evespa
      Evespa is a retro-styled electric scooter, quite similar to petrol-powered Vespa scooters. It comes with classic flat front apron, curvy body panels, round headlamp and round rear view mirrors. Turn signals are mounted on the front apron.
      Greta Electric Scooter Harper
      Fourth scooter Glide comes across as a futuristic, no-frills electric scooter. It has a unibody-styled design with a round headlamp mounted on the front apron. Glide also gets round rear-view mirrors. Other key features include flat handlebar, compact flyscreen and pillion backrest.
      All four Greta scooters have a flat floorboard, which will come handy in everyday use. Powering the scooters will be 48-volt / 60-volt lithium-ion battery packs. On a full charge, the scooters will have range of 70km to 100km. Charging time from 0 to 100% is approximately four hours. Customers will have the option to choose from different configurations of battery packs.
      Greta Electric Scooter Glide
      Taken together, the four Greta scooters will be offered in 22 colour options. Features that are common across all four scooters include digital instrument cluster, ATA system, reverse mode, anti-theft alarm and keyless start. In terms of hardware, Harper, Harper ZX and Evespa are equipped with drum disc combo braking. Glide has disc brakes at both ends. All four scooters offer above average storage space.
      Greta e-scooters global expansion
      Greta is already operational in international locations such as Nepal. They have two showrooms currently and have plans to open more. Greta is also carrying out tests in Europe and is hopeful of getting legal approval soon. Post approval, Greta electric scooters will be available in multiple European countries.
      In domestic market, Great electric scooters are priced in the range of Rs 60k to Rs 92k. The company is working to expand its dealer network across the country. More

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      Oppo Electric Scooter, Car Planned For India Launch – Name Trademarked

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      Image for reference.Oppo’s sister brands like OnePlus, Vivo, and Realme are also reportedly planning to launch electric vehicles in India
      Total number of electric two-wheeler brands in the country has already exceeded their petrol-powered counterparts. However, EV sales are still a small fraction of overall auto sales in the country. A lot more traction and momentum is expected in the future, as more brands enter the EV space.
      A new name that’s been added to the list is Oppo, one of the leading smartphone manufacturers. While customers may be a bit wary of dealing with newer brands, they will have more confidence when buying from popular brands like Oppo.
      Oppo EV launch plans
      It may take a couple of years for Oppo to launch EVs in India. The first of Oppo EVs could be unveiled in late 2023 or early 2024. While electric two-wheeler segment in the country is evolving at a fast pace, mainstream manufacturers continue to focus on petrol powered vehicles. This may give adequate time to companies like Oppo to develop EVs that are especially suited for Indian conditions.
      As of now, it is not known what type of EVs Oppo is planning for India. Earlier, reports had indicated that the company has already commenced work on EV manufacturing. Oppo has been holding meetings with battery manufacturing companies and parts suppliers. Some of these firms supply parts to leading companies like Tesla.
      OPPO applied for registering trademark under EV category in India
      EVs will be a completely new experience for Oppo, as this is the first time it is exploring its options beyond mobile devices. The company will have the option of manufacturing the EVs locally or importing them. If the objective is to generate high volumes, local manufacturing will be preferred to keep costs down.
      Along with Oppo, others like Realme, OnePlus and Vivo have also filed trademark applications for EVs. Taken together, these companies could launch various types of EVs including electric cars and electric two-wheelers. Realme has received approval for trademark names ‘realme TechLife‘ and ‘TL Device’.
      The registration, which is valid up to April 2031, allows Realme to manufacture a range of EVs. It includes electric vehicles, self-balancing scooters, self-balancing boards, electric bicycles, electric wheelchairs, and anti-theft devices for automobiles. As of now, only Realme has managed to get its trademark registration approved. The status for others like Oppo, OnePlus and Vivo is either under progress or ‘objected’.
      Competition from Xiaomi
      Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi is also planning to enter the EV space in a big way. It already sells portable electric scooters in international markets. It has plans to mass produce EVs, starting in the first half of 2024. The company has earmarked investments worth $10 million to develop its EV business.
      Xiaomi is a key rival to the likes of Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus and Realme. The latter four are part of China-based BBK Electronics, a global electronics manufacturing company. While the rivalry between these companies in smartphones and electronics is apparent, it will be interesting to see how it pans out in EV space. More

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      Royal Enfield 650cc Bobber Concept SG650 Debuts At EICMA 2021

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      Royal Enfield SG650 Concept At EICMA 2021Royal Enfield has unveiled an all new 650cc motorcycle concept at the 2021 EICMA show in Milan – It is expected to be launched next year in India
      Back in 2018, Royal Enfield had unveiled bobber-styled Concept KX at EICMA. ‘838’ engraving on the engine indicated that the motor was of 838cc capacity. While Concept KX is not going into production stage anytime soon, its core design format will be utilized for the new 650cc cruiser from Royal Enfield. The latter has now made its global debut as SG650 at 2021 EICMA.
      After unveiling their 120th anniversary edition of Interceptor 650 and Continental GT650, Royal Enfield has now revealed an all new 650cc motorcycle concept called SG650. It is an all new motorcycle, which is likely to be transformed into a production spec bobber sometime next year.
      Royal Enfield SG650 Concept At EICMA 2021
      Royal Enfield 650cc Bobber Concept – SHOTGUN
      Retro-styled Royal Enfield 650cc bobber is equipped with features such as round headlamp, round rear-view mirrors, teardrop fuel tank design, single seat, dual exhaust and broad rear fender. Users can expect a comfortable riding stance, made possible with wide, elevated handlebar and forward-set footpegs.
      It is seen with dual instrument pods, a larger unit on the left and a smaller one on the right. The latter is Tripper navigation display unit, which was first seen with Meteor 350. It is possible that the 650cc bobber SG650 can get a new range of connectivity features. This would be expected from a premium bike that will be positioned above 650 twins in the company’s line-up.
      Royal Enfield SG650 Concept At EICMA 2021
      RE 650cc SG650 Bobber engine
      SG in the SG650 likely stands for Shotgun. Royal Enfield has trademarked the name Shotgun for an upcoming motorcycle. It is likely that the SG650 concept becomes Shotgun 650 upon launch. Powering the new Shotgun 650cc bobber will be the same 648cc, parallel twin motor that does duty on Interceptor and Continental GT. It makes 47 bhp at 7150 rpm and 52 Nm at 5250 rpm. It is mated to a constant mesh 6-speed gearbox.
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      The engine has been designed for real world riding conditions. It suits city streets as well as effortless cruising on open roads. It is possible that the engine could be tweaked slightly on 650cc bobber to make it more suitable for long distance touring.
      While 650 twins have standard telescopic forks at front, the new 650cc cruiser is expected to get USD forks. In that case, it will be the first Royal Enfield bike to get this feature. USD forks will allow better handling and safer braking at high speeds.
      Royal Enfield SG650 Concept At EICMA 2021
      At the rear, the bike will get standard twin shock absorbers. Braking system could be the same as 650 twins – 320 mm disc at front and 240 mm at rear. Dual-channel ABS will be offered as standard. In India, Royal Enfield 650cc bobber is expected to be launched at around Rs 4 lakh (ex-sh). It will be a pretty good deal at this price point. The SG650 upon launch will also be sold in several international markets.
      Royal Enfield is also expected to launch a cruiser based on this bobber concept sometime next year. It remains to be seen the type of response the 650cc bobber cruiser generates. On its part, Royal Enfield will surely be looking to achieve the same level of success and popularity, as associated with 650 twins. More

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      Royal Enfield 650 Twins Limited Edition Launched – Celebrates 120th Anniversary

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      Royal Enfield 650 Twins Limited EditionTo celebrate the 120th anniversary of the brand, Royal Enfield has launched new limited edition of their Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 range
      Royal Enfield journey started in 1901, which is when their first motorcycle was launched. The first RE motorcycle was launched at Stanley Cycle Show in London. Today, at the EICMA 2021 show in Milan, Royal Enfield is celebrating the brand’s 120th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, Royal Enfield has announced the launch of limited edition 650 Twins – Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650.
      Both these motorcycles will be available in all global markets, where they are present. A total of 480 motorcycles are on offer – 120 units for each India, Europe, Americas and South-East Asia. 60 units of INT 650 and 60 units of GT 650 per region. In India, these will go on sale on 6th Dec 2021. Registrations for the sale commence today at the official website.
      Royal Enfield 650 Twins Limited Edition
      In order to make it an exclusive affair, each of these bikes will feature a unique serial number on the tank top badge indicating that it is 1 of 60 unique motorcycles in any of the four regions mentioned around the world. These motorcycles will be exclusively available for online sale in India.
      These new Royal Enfield 120th Anniversary Editions are cosmetically enhanced versions of the standard 650 Twin models but don’t receive any mechanical or feature updates. The limited-run models flaunt a special all-black paint scheme with hand-painted golden-coloured stripes on the fuel tank. Such craftsmanship is even witnessed in the company’s oldest model in production- Bullet, in its standard black variant.
      Royal Enfield 120th Anniversary Limited Edition 650 Twins Launched
      This exclusivity is further accentuated by the addition of the Royal Enfield 120th Anniversary insignia on top of the tank. The fuel tank also features specially minted brass emblems embossed on the sides made in collaboration with the ‘Sirpi Senthil’ family. The glossy finish to the panels add a nice premium appeal to the motorcycles.
      To provide a contrasting effect, Royal Enfield has blackened-out internals and mechanical components of the bikes such as engine, exhaust, front and rear suspension and handlebar with a matte treatment. The motorcycles will also be equipped with a range of genuine accessories such as flyscreens, engine guards, heel guards, touring and bar end mirrors amongst others in a black disguise to compliment the overall design.
      Royal Enfield 650 Twins Limited Edition – Specs
      As previously mentioned, there will be no mechanical changes to either of the motorcycles. This means both bikes will be powered by the same 648cc parallel-twin engine that pushes out 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque.This unit is paired with a 6-speed gearbox via a slipper and assist clutch as standard. Suspension duties are handled by conventional front forks and twin gas-charged rear shock absorbers.
      Royal Enfield 120th Anniversary Limited Edition 650 Twins Launched
      Speaking on the launch, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Eicher Motors Ltd. said, “Few brands can celebrate the kind of legacy and history that Royal Enfield has enjoyed over the last century and a lot of this legacy is from the immense love the brand has received from riders through the ages.
      There was simply no better way of celebrating this milestone than sharing a piece of it with our consumers around the world. We are delighted to bring the 120th Anniversary Edition 650 Twin motorcycles to enthusiasts around the world, and share the brand’s legacy with them. Both the Interceptor and the Continental GT are hugely successful around the world today, as they were in the 1960’s, and truly represent our heritage of making simple and enjoyable motorcycles.” More