Royal Enfield, the iconic motorcycle manufacturer founded in the English Midlands in 1901 and now based in India, is advancing its development of its first electric motorcycle, with plans to launch it next year. Known as the world’s oldest motorcycle brand, Royal Enfield has expanded globally, building a strong following for its retro-style bikes from the US to Thailand.
B Govindarajan, the company’s CEO, said that the decreasing costs of electric vehicles (EVs) are paving the way for their new model, expected to debut in the next financial year starting April 2025. He highlighted that although profitability in the electric vehicle sector remains challenging, the rapidly changing cost dynamics will make their upcoming product competitive.
Despite a slowdown in global EV sales due to challenges with driving range and high costs, the production of high-quality electric motorcycles presents additional hurdles. Motorcycles have less space for batteries compared to cars, necessitating either frequent recharging or battery swapping. Govindarajan indicated that Royal Enfield would likely use a “fixed battery with fast charging” rather than battery swapping.
Anuj Dua, who leads Royal Enfield’s Asia-Pacific operations, confirmed that the electric bike is in an advanced stage of development. In Japan, Yamaha Motor aims to have 90% of its motorcycle sales be electric by 2050 but has delayed its goal of introducing 10 electric models by the end of this year to mid-2025. Honda plans to invest ¥500 billion ($3 billion) over the next decade to reach its target of selling 4 million electric bikes annually by 2030.
In the US, Harley-Davidson recently secured $89 million in federal funding to boost electric motorcycle production in Pennsylvania. Royal Enfield’s investment in Spanish electric motorcycle maker Stark Future in 2022 and the preview of an electric prototype of its Himalayan model at last year’s Milan motorcycle show reflect its commitment to the electric market.
However, analysts like Varun Baxi from Nirmal Bang in Mumbai caution that achieving high performance, power, and torque in electric motorcycles remains technologically demanding. In India, Royal Enfield has experienced rapid growth in the midsize motorcycle segment, but competition from both domestic and international brands has eroded its market share, prompting a focus on exports.
While electric vehicle adoption in India has been led by scooters, with companies like Ola Electric and Bajaj offering models around Rs100,000, Royal Enfield’s parent company Eicher has sought subsidies under India’s production-linked incentive scheme for EVs. Govindarajan acknowledged that while the shift to electric motorcycles will be gradual, it is progressing faster than anticipated, reflecting India’s commitment to technology adoption.
Royal Enfield, founded in 1901, is the world’s oldest motorcycle brand. Originally based in the English Midlands, it now operates from India. Renowned for its classic, retro-style bikes, Royal Enfield has a global presence and is expanding into electric motorcycles. Known for its durability and distinctive design, the brand appeals to motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.
