Bajaj and KTM have announced a new joint venture to develop premium high-end electric motorcycles. In a recent interview, Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto, said that both companies are open to the full spectrum of two-wheelers. So, apart from the premium product(s), the bike makers could also add an e-scooter or an entry-level all-electric motorcycle to their lineup.
However, it is still unknown as to what kind of equivalent petrol displacement range would the upcoming electric motorcycle cater to. At present, KTM has only one electric motorcycle on sale, the Freeride E-XC, which is a motocross bike. KTM has dabbled in the electric scooter segment as well. The brand unveiled the E-Speed electric scooter concept back in 2013. However, it did not materialise into production form. Then in 2017, an electric motorcycle based on the old-gen 390 Duke was spotted testing in Europe. This too hasn’t made it to production so far.
That being said, it does makes sense for Bajaj and KTM to develop an electric bike based on the 390 Duke platform as the audience in the segment is much bigger than for the middle-weight and superbike territories. Bajaj already makes the 390 Duke in its plant in Chakan, so part sharing (especially the underpinnings) would be economically viable as well. Moreover, an electric bike in this segment will also have the potential to go international too, as it could be an electric equivalent to A2-licenced bikes in Europe, which would be ideal for inexperienced riders.
It’s an ideal time for both the brands to go electric as, in the recent past, the government has been strongly pushing the EV segment with new initiatives and economic measures. Expect Bajaj-KTM to reveal the concept model in about a year or two. In parallel, Bajaj is also working on the Urbanite electric project which is independent of this initiative. The first product under this project will be an electric scooter and is likely to be launched soon. It has been spied a number of times and here’s everything we know about the scooter so far.
Source: Bikedekho.com
