3 weeks ago
Hero MotoCorp eyes electric motorcycle debut in 2027
Hero MotoCorp makes more two-wheelers in India than anyone else.
It says it will start making electric motorcycles from 2027.
Electric motorcycles run on batteries instead of petrol, so they don't pollute the air.
The company is doing this before the city of Delhi stops letting people sell petrol-powered two-wheelers in April 2028.
Hero is one of the first big, old companies to announce it will make electric motorcycles.
Another big company, Bajaj Auto, has the same plan.
Right now, most electric two-wheelers in India are scooters, not motorcycles.
Hero has already designed some electric motorcycles, including the VIDA Ubex and a project made with a US company called Zero Motorcycles.
The company's sales went up a lot, but its profit went down because costs are rising.
Hero MotoCorp plans to launch its first electric motorcycles from 2027, becoming the second legacy mass-market two-wheeler maker after Bajaj Auto to enter the segment.
The launches are timed ahead of Delhi's proposed ban on sale of internal combustion engine two-wheelers from April 2028.
Bajaj Auto also announced plans to launch electric motorcycles in FY28 during its earnings call on 21 July.
Hero's April-June revenue grew 35% to ₹13,126 crore, while net profit fell 17% to ₹1,417 crore due to rising costs.
According to FADA data, electric two-wheeler sales in India grew 22% to 1.4 million units, with 6.5% penetration.
- Who
- Hero MotoCorp Ltd, India's largest two-wheeler maker, led by CEO Harshavardhan Chitale
- What
- Announced plans to launch its first electric motorcycles from 2027 ahead of Delhi's proposed ban on ICE two-wheeler sales
- Where
- India; the New Delhi-based company's plans are driven by Delhi's proposed EV mandate
- When
- Announced during the company's earnings call on Friday; launches expected from 2027, with products coming from next year
- Why
- To be ready before Delhi's proposed ban on ICE two-wheelers from April 2028 and because motorcycles are key to EV growth, accounting for over two-thirds of two-wheeler industry sales
Key facts
- Company
- Hero MotoCorp Ltd, New Delhi
- Announcement
- First electric motorcycles to launch from 2027
- Delhi EV Mandate
- Proposed ban on ICE two-wheeler sales from April 2028
- April-June Revenue
- ₹13,126 crore (up 35%)
- April-June Net Profit
- ₹1,417 crore (down 17%)
- EV Two-Wheeler Sales (FADA)
- 1.4 million units, up 22%, 6.5% penetration
- Electric Portfolio
- VIDA Ubex and Project VxZ with Zero Motorcycles
- CEO
- Harshavardhan Chitale (took over in January)
Quotes
Harshavardhan Chitale
Chief Executive Officer of Hero MotoCorp
“"While we do take a lot of learnings from our scooter platform, the motorcycle platform now caters to the needs of a motorcycle consumer. And, therefore, these are new platforms that we are developing with learnings from the scooter platform, but with technology that is suited to what a motorcycle consumer is actually looking for in terms of performance, rideability, gradeability, and range."”
livemint.com
“"Coming to product portfolio, way before this policy goes into effect, we will have a range of motorcycles in the market. And we are progressing well on that."”
livemint.com
Sources
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