Bajaj and KTM are likely to develop a common 48-volt electric two-wheeler platform which is expected to range from 3kW to 10kW. Their electrified products are likely to be based on this platform and the production is expected to commence by 2022 at the Pune facility. According to a media report, Bajaj is expected to introduce their first electric two-wheeler in the next one and half years and the company also plans to launch their first electric car in this fiscal year.
The new electric platform is expected to support scooters and moped for both Bajaj and KTM. The new electrification program may benefit the company as the Government is expected to mandate electric scooters and three-wheelers in the next 3 – 5 years.
Bajaj may even develop an electric three-wheeler for commercial use as it is expected to get INR 20,000/kW subsidy if the decision for doubling the subsidy is made by the respective Ministry. Bajaj is the largest producer of three-wheelers which use conventional Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), and an electric model of the three-wheeler will help lower emissions and will be cheaper to run, provided they are affordable to buy as compared to the ICE three-wheelers.
Bajaj has already been spotted testing the Urbanite brand electric scooter and the company is expected to bring back the iconic Bajaj names like Chetak, Stride and Legend.
The electric scooter spotted testing is expected to feature a retro design with curvy side panels and new age features like alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, etc. The scooter is also expected to get disc brakes on the front with ABS, mechanical drum brake on the rear, anti-dive suspension on the front a mono suspension on the rear, USB charging facility, backlit switch gear, a digital instrument cluster and more.