Spero Is India's First Crowdsourced Electric Bike

Completely developed in India with funds from crowdsourcing, the Spero is much different from the other e-bikes available in the country.

Tamil Nadu based Milltex Engineers has introduced a new e-bike, Spero, that is India's first crowdsourced electric bike. Launching in the third week of August 2016, the Spero can be powered by pedals like a cycle as well. For the crowdfunding, the company started a campaign on Fuel A Dream, one of India's most popular crowdfunding platforms. The campaign was aimed to collect Rs 30 lakh with and without rewards. However, the company has collected more than Rs 37.5 lakh till now and 2 days are still left.

The Spero is not an ordinary e-bike, but it has some very unique features as compared to the other ones available in the Indian market. The bike has a five-speed gearbox with a digital shifter which is much easier to use. Cruise control is also provided, so you don't need to control the throttle every time. It can accelerate from 0kmph to its top speed, which is 25kmph, in just 10 seconds.

The detachable, 48V Li-ion battery can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in 6 hours using a normal domestic electric socket and it also charges while the bike is running on pedal power. Driving licence is not required to ride the Spero and you can also use standard bicycle parts (tyres, cables, mud/rear guards) on it. The standard tyre fitted on the motorcycle are imported from Korea and it also gets telescopic forks and a disc brake at the front.

Introducing the bike in a video, S Manikandan, who took three years to work on the project, said, "The experience I gained through years in the factory (textile machinery) has given me the ability to innovate this cycle to perfection. Working within the manufacturing has given me the knowledge and expertise with handling machinery and sourcing materials that work best with this e-bike."

The Spero will be available in three trims, e30, e60 and e100, with a range of 30km, 60km and 100km respectively in a complete single charge. The bikes have three colour options, Black, Blue and Orange, and its introductory price starts at Rs 29,900 as the company is providing special discount for early birds and crowd funders. The company will deliver the bikes in a phased manner.