Zero Electric Motorcycles to launch in India soon- confirms Hero Motocorp

Hero MotoCorp has confirmed that it will launch Zero Motorcycles portfolio of electric bikes in India. The company also said that it will manufacture these products in India, leveraging its low-cost manufacturing expertise and its extensive sales and service network.

Zero Motorcycles offers a variety of electric bikes for street riding, sports, adventure and off-roading. The company’s current range of motorcycles employ battery packs ranging from 7.2 kWh to 17.3 kWh. These bikes are priced between $13,000 and $25,000, which is around Rs 10.64 lakh to Rs 20.46 lakh.

Hero MotoCorp has not revealed the exact timeline or the models that will be launched in India. However, it is likely that the company will try to introduce Zero electric bikes as early as possible, aiming to gain the first-mover advantage in the premium electric motorcycle segment. It is also possible that Hero will introduce more affordable versions of Zero electric bikes for the Indian market, as well as target specific overseas markets.

Hero MotoCorp’s EV Strategy

Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler maker, is gearing up to enter and lead the electric two-wheeler market in India. The company, which has a dominant share of 37% in the ICE-segment, has not launched any electric two-wheeler so far. However, it has been working on various initiatives to strengthen its position in the EV segment.

One of the key areas of focus is to collaborate with prominent players in the EV space. Hero already owns a 35% stake in Ather Energy, a leading electric scooter maker in India. Another important partner is Zero Motorcycles, a US-based manufacturer of high-performance electric bikes. Hero MotoCorp invested $60 million (approx. Rs 491 crore) in Zero Motorcycles in September 2022.

Hero MotoCorp’s Sustainable Mobility Vision

Hero MotoCorp’s partnership with Zero Motorcycles is a crucial step in its journey towards sustainable mobility. The company said that this collaboration will help accelerate the adoption of electric mobility in India and across its global markets. Hero MotoCorp also said that it aims to develop a new range of EVs in the next 18-20 months to cater to different segments of the electric two-wheeler market, including more affordable or ‘mainstream’ products.

Hero MotoCorp has also announced other initiatives to support its EV strategy, such as partnering with Taiwan-based Gogoro to develop battery swapping and charging network in India, investing in battery manufacturing startup Axiom Energy Solutions, and setting up an EV innovation lab at its R&D facility in Jaipur. The company said that it has the capability, the strength, the wherewithal and the financial muscle to become the EV leader.