Motorbike firms prep for quieter, electric future

Makers of electric motorcycles worldwide are touting stealth and instant power to convert those who swear by the rumble of a V-twin or the thump of a single-cylinder internal combustion engine.

- Ayaan Kartik

India’s two-wheeler manufacturers are also shedding doubts.

On Tuesday, Bengaluru-based Ultraviolette launched a new electric motorcycle in India. This comes four months after Ola Electric Pvt. Ltd began delivering its Roadster X. Last month, Bajaj Auto Ltd announced that it is developing an electric motorcycle, while Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea launch is planned by March.

About 18.81 million twowheelers were sold in India in the previous 2024-25 fiscal, with motorcycles accounting for 65% of the demand. Electric motorbikes contributed less than 1% of the 1.14 million battery-powered two-wheelers sold during the period.

One of the five top e-scooter makers hasvan electric motorcycle. In addition to Ola Electric, small startups, including Ultraviolette, Revolt Motors and Matter Motor, offer products.

Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the country’s largest two-wheeler maker, has been working with Zero Motorcycle to develop electric motorbikes. TVS Motor Co. has not yet laid out its plans for one.

As India charts its green energy transition and looks to contain fossil fuel imports, the government is also pushing e-motorycles since these account for the bulk of the two-wheelers sold in India.

Mint reported on1 September that NITI Aayog, the federal policy think tank, is holding stakeholder discussions to increase the production of battery-powered motorbikes.