Hero MotoCorp’s first electric vehicle likely to be a premium scooter

Hero MotoCorp’s first electric vehicle could very likely be a premium scooter, considering the recent trend of big manufacturers entering the segment. Bajaj Auto and Ather Energy have their own scooters positioned as premium products and TVS Motor too will be unveiling a premium segment model tomorrow in Bengaluru.

Hero MotoCorp has already displayed an electric scooter, the Duet E, at the Auto Exo 2016 but we didn’t see any update on it. In an interaction with Autocarpro.in, Mr. Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director – Operations (Plants) & Chief Technology Officer, Hero MotoCorp said that there is a lot of work going on with electric vehicles (EVs), shared mobility and connected two-wheelers around the world. He said that the Indian EV industry will feel encouraged with the government releasing policies and subsidies through FAME II.

One of the strategic priorities is to engage with the external ecosystem, including start-ups in a meaningful way. It is with this objective that Hero MotoCorp has made an investment in Ather Energy, which is one of the best start-ups in the two-wheeler EV space in the country. At the same time, we have an internal EV program that is also working towards developing alternative mobility solutions including EVs.

Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director – Operations (Plants) & Chief Technology Officer, Hero MotoCorp

Last year, Hero MotoCorp Chairman, Mr. Pawan Manjal had stated that the company is working on multiple EV products and is gearing up to meet the challenges of EVs and connected two-wheelers. Hero MotoCorp also needs to float a new brand for its electric scooters as they reportedly can’t use the Hero nameplate because of a family settlement by the Munjal family in 2010. Hero Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd currently holds the rights to the Hero brand for selling EVs in India.

Source: Autocarpro.in