Electrotherm mulls exporting E-bikes

Electrotherm India's (ET) automotive division Indus Elec-Trans, which manufactures electric battery operated two-wheelers under the brand name of YO Bykes, is mulling exporting its electric two-wheelers to the US.

Company officials have confirmed that the company has received interest from companies in the US and UK but is looking at the US market as an export market most likely from the next financial year.

The company has just launched a new model, 'YO Speed', which is India's first Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)-approved electric two-wheeler in the 750 watts category.

Priced at Rs 35,446 (ex-showroom Ahmedabad) the two-wheeler is equipped with a 33 Ampere Hour (AH) battery, has a capacity to seat two people and runs for 500 kms for the cost of one litre of petrol. Unlike the company's earlier offerings which were under the 25 km per hour speed bracket, the YO Speed has a maximum speed of 45 km per hour.

Since the vehicle is above the 25 km per hour speed, it comes under the RTO norms of registration and licence in India. However, under homologation procedures in the US, two-wheelers with a power output of 750 watts or less do not require registration, said Naveen Nakra, director (finance and projects), Electrotherm.

He added that the company would gather customer feedback on upgrading features in order to make YO Bykes more efficient if required before exporting.

Electrotherm has recently acquired a battery manufacturing firm in China which has a capacity to manufacture 8,000 units of batteries per month, which would cater to close to 1 lakh vehicles rolled out from the company's plant in Kutch.

The batteries would be utilised within the company for its existing range of two-wheelers as well as newer products in the pipeline. The company's autorickshaw prototype is with the ARAI for its approval.

To promote its products better among the masses, the company has roped in actor Gulshan Grover as the face of the YO Bykes TV commercia.

Launched in February 2006, the company claims a 70 per cent market share in the electric two-wheeler market in the country and has sold 37,000 units in 14 months.

It's manufacturing facility in Kutch has an installed capacity of 2.88 lakh vehicles.