Royal Enfield Goes Electric

Airdropped, eco-conscious at heart-Royal Enfield's C6 is more than just a quiet whisper in India's struggling electric two-wheeler landscape

- Niraj Kakade

From "What a thump, bro" to "Wait, where's the thump, bro?"-Royal Enfield is gearing up to make the quietest noise it ever has. The brand synonymous with the roar of war-era motorcycles is entering the EV world with its first electric bike, the C6, under a new sub-brand called the Flying Flea, a fleet of WW2 motorcycles that were designed to be lightweight and to be parachuted via aircrafts behind enemy lines. And true to its spirit, Royal Enfield is doing it with style.

The launch teaser featured the C6 literally parachuting down from a hot air balloon-a cheeky nod to the brand's WWII legacy when Royal Enfield bikes were literally airdropped to soldiers. The retro-styled roadster resembles a classic from a 1950s biker rally, complete with chrome accents and a sculpted silhouette, but now with an electric twist that brings it up to speed with the 21st century. For those hoping for a rugged, off-road-ready Himalayan Electric, showcased at EICMA 2023, you'll have to wait a bit longer; this model focuses more on urban sophistication than trail-tackling grit. True to Enfield's ethos, the C6 blends old-school charm with modern design.