Hero MotoCorp Ltd. introduced its first electric car.
Hero MotoCorp Ltd. announced its first electric vehicle as the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters geared towards clean energy.
Electricity motorbike, launched under the Vida brand, will cost 145,000 rupees ($1,761) and deliveries will begin the second week of December, according to a statement Friday. A plant in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is producing the electric vehicle, which has a range of 143 km (89 miles) and 165 km for its two variants.
Electrification in India is being driven by two-wheelers as the high prices of battery-powered cars make them beyond the reach of most consumers. Decarbonizing two-wheelers, which account for more than 70% of all vehicles in India, will help the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter tackle its toxic air.
By 2030, about 30% of all vehicles sold in India will be electric but mainly two- and three-wheelers, while electric passenger cars will only account for about 5% of total electric vehicle sales, homes and businesses. consultant Arthur D. Little estimates.
To accelerate the shift to cleaner vehicles, Hero MotoCorp is working with global companies. It has formed a joint venture with Taiwan-based Gogoro to build battery swapping stations across India. In addition, it plans to build a charging network for the two-wheeler segment with fast chargers, Hero MotoCorp said in the statement.
Last month, the company said it was finalizing a deal with California-based Zero Motorcycles to develop electric motorcycles.
