Hero Cycles to launch electric two-wheelers in collaboration with UK''s Ultra Motor
05 January 2007
Mumbai:
The fast growing Indian automobile industry will soon
witness the emergence of electric two-wheelers. The world''s
largest bicycle manufacturer, Ludhiana-based Hero Cycles
Limited (HCL), in technical collaboration with UK-based
electric vehicles company Ultra Motor Company (UMC) has
announced the launch seven variants of e-bikes and e-scooters,
branded "Hero Electric.
The vehicles are priced between Rs.15,000 to Rs. 20,000 and E-Scooters are in the range of Rs. 24,000 to Rs. 28,000. The running cost of these vehicles, the company says, is just a tenth of the conventional petrol driven two-wheelers while maintenance costs just a third of a conventional two-wheeler. Depending on the model of two-wheeler, a single charge can last between 40km and 70km, with the running cost being an unbelievable 10 paise per km — the cost of charging the battery.
To
ensure appropriate technology behind this launch, Hero
Cycles Limited has signed a technical collaboration-cum-joint
marketing agreement with Ultra Motor Company, to produce
and jointly market this new range of electric two-wheelers
in India. The electric two-wheelers will open up a new
segment of value conscious consumers. Low running cost
will be the major catalyst for these environment friendly
vehicles.
"In a market where there are 1.6 million two-wheelers sold every month (including bicycles, scooters and motorbikes), these technologically advanced yet affordable electric two-wheelers will definitely herald a major change in the Indian two wheeler industry," Vijay Munjal, managing director, Hero Cycles Limited.
The
two-wheelers will be equipped with Ultra Motor''s "Power
Pack", consisting of its motor, electronic controller,
specialised battery and charger, which Hero Cycles will
integrate and assemble.