Royal Enfield Electric Bike 2025 India Launch On Track, No Delays
Modified On Sep 4, 2023 12:59 PM By Irfan for Royal Enfield Bullet 350
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The upcoming electric bike is already past the prototype stage, and Royal Enfield engineers are said to even have ridden it
Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle has been in development for a while now and Siddhartha Lal, the Managing Director, has recently confirmed that the project is on track without any delays. The company is actively engaged in the development of various electric vehicles (EVs), with the first expected to enter the market in 2025.
He emphasized Royal Enfield's commitment to delivering an authentic motorcycle experience with their EVs. Notably, one of the EV models in development has progressed beyond the prototype stage, with engineers having already tested the bike. Nevertheless, Lal stressed the importance of thorough development and testing before the anticipated 2025 launch. Royal Enfield has established a dedicated team for EV development and solidified its involvement in the EV market through an investment in Spanish e-bike maker Stark Future last year. Insights gained from this collaboration will contribute to Royal Enfield's EV lineup.
Siddhartha Lal acknowledged that the greatest challenge in EV development lies in striking the right balance between range, weight, and cost. Achieving a significant range necessitates more batteries, which will subsequently increase the e-motorcycle's cost. The company is also prioritizing localization in terms of sourcing components like cells and batteries, with partnerships already established with 11-12 vendors. Importing parts remains an option if necessary. Furthermore, Royal Enfield is exploring the possibility of establishing dedicated dealerships for their e-motorcycles.
Royal Enfield's commitment to authenticity extends to their iconic 'thump' in the bike's exhaust notes. Mr. Lal emphasized that they will not resort to adding features such as speakers to recreate this experience. Instead, their focus remains on delivering a genuine EV experience. He also commented on the future of internal combustion engine (ICE) bikes, suggesting they will likely endure for decades before facing stricter regulations.
The development of Royal Enfield's electric bike coincides with the gradual reduction of subsidies. Even recent revisions to the FAME 2 subsidy program took effect on short notice. Thus, it is prudent to anticipate that by 2025, subsidies may be less substantial, if they exist at all. As such, we anticipate that the average price of electric bikes and electric scooters may rise. As a result, the upcoming Royal Enfield electric bike is expected to be priced at approximately Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom).
In related news, Royal Enfield is also working on the development of spoked wheels compatible with tubeless tyres. Their primary challenge has been identifying suitable vendors for the required components. The new wheels are likely to debut with the 2nd generation Himalayan 450 in the coming years.
