More electric motorcycles and scooters for India

It seems to be raining e-bikes in India. Or it might soon. A couple of companies are in the race to be on top of the e-bike marketplace and that means a few launches are round the bend.

YoSmart electric scooter

We had, last week, published this article about electric motorcycles and scooters in India. And now there are more announcements.

Update: BSA to launch alternative fuel motorcycles

Two majors have already lined up their launches, it is believed. While BSA eBikes is planning to launch five new models of its electric motorcycles in October 2008, another big name in the industry, Electrotherm India, is lining up a 1000 W version of its Yo Speed e-bike.

BSE e-bikes is also planning to have a network of 70 dealers in southern India by 2009. It is said to have decided upon introducing two wheelers that run alternative fuels and newer technology products soon. The company is expected to soon roll out three electric models in the 250 watt category and one model each in the 500 watt and 800 watt category. The price would range between Rs. 26,000 and Rs. 35,000

BSA e-bikes is so upbeat on the potential of its electric vehicles that it has already begu ramping up a strong dealer network. The company would initially focus on Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. These four Southern states are expected to have as many as 40 dealers by November 2008. The company intends to push up the number to 70 by March 2009.

As if that is not enough, the company plans to start entering into other markets too after about six months of launch. As per plan, by January 2009, the company might establish presence in the North Indian bike mart with about 10 dealers across New Delhi, Chattisgarh and Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, Electrotherm India is so upbeat about the demand for its 750 W electric bike Yo Speed. The company will soon unveil a 1000 W version of the electric motorcycle. The company, in fact, see more potential in modifying exiting models than rolling out newer ones. The success of the 75 cc model has encouraged the company to enter higher segments. Electrotherm India has sold around 10,000 e-bike units in less than a year.

After having found a sizeable market in India by recording sales of more than 50,000 Yo bikes in 2007, the company is now set for a foray into global territory and is eyeing markets in neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.