According to sources, Royal Enfiled will invest more than US$100-150 million in its EV project.
Royal Enfield, the renowned and longest-standing British motorbike brand owned by India’s Eicher Motors, is on the upswing with its electric bikes lineup as the momentum toward electric transportation gathers pace. The brand intends to hit the market in 18 to 24 months.
Royal Enfield Electric Bike – ‘Electrik01
The first Royal Enfield electric motorcycle is expected to hit the roads by the end of 2024. The e-bike, internally called “Electric01“, is going through the design phase. In addition, the business is developing a specialized electric vehicle platform (codenamed “L”) in collaboration with Spanish-based EV two-wheeler start-up Stark Future SL. In December 2022, Stark Future SL received a strategic investment from Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield.
Thanks to this relationship, both businesses would jointly manufacture motorcycles in the future. Royal Enfield bikes will use Stark’s technology for its next electric platform. Eicher Motors acquired a 10.35 percent equity stake in Stark Future SL with an initial equity investment of €50 million (roughly Rs. 439 crores). Under long-term cooperation, both brands will collaborate on R&D, manufacturing, and technology licensing for electric motorcycles.
The first Royal Enfield electric bike has been included in the 96V system. The company’s new L-platform will support multiple body types, divided into L1A, L1B, and L1C categories. The Electric RE01 will have a traditional design cue and a premium tactile finish.
Royal Enfield’s Upcoming Bikes in India
The motorcycle manufacturer in Chennai is working on two new 350cc bikes, four new 450cc bikes, and six new 650cc bikes models. The wildly successful Royal Enfield Bullet 350 will transition to its next generation in 2023 or 2024. The bike will support new underpinnings and use the Royal Enfield Meteor 350’s 346cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The headlamp, rearview mirror, and taillamp will be chrome.
