The India based Munjals group Hero has launched the country's first ever high-speed electric bikes. Priced at Rs37,400/ the initial launch is in UP followed by other cities in the country. E-Spirit, christened as the bikes rides out, the vehicle will meet the norms of environment protection and the budget of the buyers.
With the single charge, the vehicle will run upto 65km at a maximum speed of 45km/hour. The company seeks VAT exemption from the UP government on the grounds of environment pollution safety. 11 governments have offered VAT exemption for this vehicle in the country.
Ultra Motor Company will launch three new electric scooters in India by 2010. There is a rising demand for electric scooters in India and the company intends to cater to this demand in the country. It will launch one high end-scooter and two low priced models in India by next year. It already sells three models - Marathon, Marathon Light (low speed) and Velocity (high speed). All the models fall in the range of Rs. 18,000 - 34,000.
The new high speed model slated for the launch next year will be imported as completely-built from its mother plant in the UK. The company intends to invest Rs. 150 crores in India to increase its production capacity as well to manufacture the upcoming new low-priced models. It has already achieved a sales figure of 24,000 units in India last year which account for 22 percent of the total sale of electric vehicles in India.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Piaggio has launched a lithium-ion battery-powered version of its three-wheeler, the Ape Calessino, which is manufactured in India and sold in various European countries. While the standard Ape Calessino is fitted with a 422cc DI diesel engine, the battery-powered version is a limited edition model, only 100 units of which will be built.
Fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack, the electric three-wheeler has a range of 75km, a top speed of around 50km/h and a charging time of less than four hours. Piaggio claims the Calessino EV's batteries are good for up to 800 recharge cycles and 60,000km. The Ape Calessino Electric Lithium is priced at €19,900 (US$28,300) plus VAT, which is almost twice the standard version's price.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
