Coming Soon: Environment Friendly e-bikes

As the various Car manufacturers around the world are trying to beat each other in exploring and cashing in on the environment friendly vehicles, two wheeler makers have gone ahead with the launch a new range of electronically powered bikes which are expected to hit India very soon.

Indian major Hero Cycles is all set to launch the electronically-powered bikes in collaboration with Ultra Motor Company of UK (UMC) as early as January 2007. The bikes, which the company claims will run at 1/10th of the cost of their petrol-run competitors, will come in the range of 36-48 volt range with a one-year warranty. On a single recharge, the bikes will run for 60 km.

While hybrids have hit Indian roads the concept of electric vehicles is yet to catch on. According to a study done by A C Nielsen, the market potential for electric vehicles in all five lakh plus towns is above nine lakh units. Electric vehicles are noiseless, zero emission vehicles driven by a DC motor that operates on rechargeable batteries.

The E-bicycle is likely to be priced at Rs 10,000; moped for Rs 20,000; and the light three-wheeler commercial vehicle at approx Rs 1.5 lakh. The maximum speed of the E-moped is fixed at 25 km to do away with the need to wear a helmet, get a driving license or vehicle registration.