Hero Electric to launch fast-charging E bikes in partnership with EV Motors India

Hero Electric plans to introduce fast-charging E bikes with batteries sourced from EV Motors India. The two companies have formed a partnership to introduce their products for last-mile delivery operation in India.

In a joint announcement yesterday, EV Motors India and Hero Electric said that the duo will initially do a pilot of around 10,000 rapid charging E bikes in select cities from October 2020 till September 2021 and then launch them nationwide. They will pitch these EVs to last-mile operators like e-commerce companies, fleet operators, online food order platforms and courier businesses.

EV Motors India’s batteries in Hero E bikes will support charging speeds that allow filling them up in less than 30 minutes. They will offer a range of 130-140 km. Fast chargers at strategic locations including Hero dealerships are planned to offer more convenience for these Hero E bikes. This fast-charging network will have a catchy branding with the name ‘PlugNgo’.

In the image accompanying the press release, we see two Hero NYX ER (Extended Range) units, two EV Motors India’s batteries and a PlugNgo fast charger. One of the scooters is connected to the PlugNgo fast charger. We don’t have the specifics of EV Motors India’s batteries and fast-charger yet.

The Hero NYX ER currently available in the market has two 48-volt, 28 Ah or 1.34 kWh Lithium-ion batteries that take 4 hours for a full charge and provide a 100 km range. Its top speed is 42 km/h. The ex-showroom price of this Hero electric scooter in Delhi is INR 79,990. Hero Electric hasn’t disclosed which Hero E bikes are planned for the pilot with EV Motors India.