Indian manufacturers to launch e-bikes

Indian manufacturers of electric bikes, or e-bikes are set to launch 'plug and ply' bikes - faster versions of the today's bikes. Electric bikes operate on a chargeable battery; do not require petrol to operate nor registration or licence.

A report in Mint says that Ahmedabad-based Electrotherm (India) Ltd, which sells e-bikes under the brand 'Yo Bykes' is all set to launch a new e-bike — Yo Speed — that would have an engine of 750 watts. 'Yo Speed' will be available at a discount of 5-10 per cent compared with the petrol vehicles and would run 500km on Rs50 worth of electricity.

Hero Cycles Ltd has also launched its range of Hero electric ultra-powered electric two-wheelers in seven variants of e-bikes and e-scooters branded as Hero Electric and priced between Rs14, 300 and Rs19, 000. The e-scooters are in the range of Rs 22,000 - 28,000. With no organized body to represent these manufacturers, industry players guess that there are between 75 and 80 players manufacturing e-bikes in India.

Both Electrotherm and Ultra hope to create a strong dealer network and service support. Electrotherm has set 58 dealers, while Hero has 50 dealers across the country to sell and service their vehicles.