TVS Planning of Half a Dozen New E-Bikes in Next Two Years

Speaking to a media, TVS joint managing director MR. Sudarshan Venu says the company's goal is to launch "probably half a dozen EVs" in the next 24 months.

The new TVS electric bikes and scooters will be designed and built under the company’s new emerging Engineers. The two-wheeler maker will invest around Rs 1,000 crore to establish its new EV sub-brand. It may be called "TVS Electric" or "TVS Hybrid".

There is a team of 500-600 Engineers working on multiple EV concepts to highlight the needs of the new EV vehicle market. In addition, the TVS Company is going to build an integrated vehicle platform, including the production of batteries and back end parts among other parts, powered by an in-house team of home-grown two-wheeler manufacturers.

It is worth mentioning that the company has not yet released the names of the new TVS Electric bikes and Scooters.
However, plans are afoot to design high-performance electric bikes under the "Apache" range and XL100 Electric Mopeds, along with Crayon Electric Scooters, Retron Electric Commuters and Zeppelin hybrid power trains.

If reports are heeded, the TVS Creon Concept-based electric scooter will be the next EV launch from the Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer. The production version is expected to arrive at the end of FY22. Claiming to be the most advanced connected scooter in India, the Crayon concept can hold 12kW electric motors and three lithium-ion batteries. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 kilometers per hour in just 5.1 seconds and claims to provide a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour.

On display at the 2018 Auto Expo, the TVS Zeppelin Cruiser motorcycle may be offered with a single cylinder engine with a 220cc, 1,200-watt regenerative co-motor and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery. It has an integrated starter generator (ISG) to ensure fast engine start. The Zeppelin could be the subcontinent’s first mild hybrid motorcycle.