Yamaha, Honda to launch e-bikes by 2010-11
According to a report on Bloomberg, Honda and Yamaha are working on electric motorcycles, which they are expected to launch by 2010. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, these e-bikes are likely to be priced in the US$2,000-3,800 range, and could offer performance similar to that of bikes with conventional 250cc engines.
Yamaha is expected to be the first Japanese company that'll be off the blocks with a mass-market electric bike, by 2010. Honda is likely to launch its e-bike by 2011. Suzuki, which is ready with a prototype of its fuel-cell powered bike, the Crosscage, could also launch an electric bike by 2011. However, these e-bikes will first be launched in Japan, and later, perhaps, in Europe. We don't think Japanese e-bikes will come to India in the next 3-4 years.
[Via: Indiaautomotive]
Yo Bikes to launch 1000 W version of its electric bike
Buoyant by the demand of its 750 W electric bike ' YO Speed', Electrotherm India is planning to introduce a 1000 W version of the e-bike.
According to Avinash Bhandari, Director, Electrotherm India, they prefer to modify existing models. Their Research & Development team keeps updating technologies. The success of the 75 cc model has encouraged them to enter higher segments.
He also added that customers have accepted electric vehicle technology. Electrotherm has sold around 10,000 e-bike units in less than a year.
They have sold more than 50,000 units across the country in 2007. The company also plans to export these bikes. Initially, it will be to neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Hero Starts Export Electric Vehicles
Rising fuel costs are boosting the Indian E-Bike and e-Scooter market. Supported by subsidies and V.A.T. redemptions by regional governments the Indian sales have grown very quickly. Local manufacturer Hero Electric is investing in new assembly lines and facilities to meet the demand.
But Hero Electric is not merely focusing on the domestic market, it is also working on exporting Electric Vehicles (EVs) to other markets. "We have set up an export team to focus on the markets of Latin America and the Middle East. We are planning to begin exports to Latin America from next year," revealed Naveen Munjal, CEO of Hero Electric.
"Our target for the current fiscal year is about 70,000 EVs," said Naveen Munjal. It is planning to sell 125,000 EVs next year. "According to current trends, the Indian EV market could grow to more than 200,000 units in 2009," estimates Naveen Munjal.
Hero is planning to launch a high speed model within the next three months. Currently, it has eight models comprising four e-scooters and four e-bikes. "We launched our new Optima Plus model in July at a price of INR 31,000 (€ 464)."
You need to log in to vote
The blog owner requires users to be logged in to be able to vote for this post.
Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here.
Powered by Vote It Up