MATTER AERA 5000

Almost feels like a conventional motorcycle. In a good way!

- RITESH PATIL

MATTER AERA 5000+ Engine: PMSM Power: 10.5kW (14.14PS) Torque: 26Nm Battery: 5kWh 0-60kmph: Under 6 seconds (claimed) Range: 125km (claimed) Price: ₹1.84 lakh ex-showroom

When given a choice, people tend to prefer riding motorcycles over scooters for their engaging feel. That is not exactly the case in the EV space, since most electric motorcycles offer the same controls as scooters, and hence feel more like scooters to ride. So how do you make electric motorcycles more appealing? One way would be to pack it with blistering performance like Ultraviolette does and the other would be to make it more engaging to ride by adding a gearbox to the mix. Matter, an Ahmedabad-based startup, has decided to take the latter route. The result is India’s first geared electric motorcycle called the Aera 5000!

At first glance, the Aera comes across as a blend of conventional and futuristic motorcycles and exhibits a sporty and modern character. Upfront you get an LED projector headlamp with the turn indicators sitting flush within the tank shrouds. The placement of the electric motor and 4-speed gearbox is similar to where you’d find the engine and gearbox on an ICE motorcycle. Above that you get an integrated module that houses the battery pack, Battery Management System (BMS) and the DriveTrain Unit.