With electric vehicles being the next target for auto OEMs in India, several makers are trying to find the right approach to foray into the new industry vertical. For KTM Industries AG and Bajaj Auto Ltd, partnership seems to be the way ahead!
The collaboration will see the two auto majors working on a serial production project for electric two-wheelers having the power output of 3 to 10 kW (48 volt). The product portfolio of such EVs will include scooters, mopeds as well as small mopeds. The vehicles will be manufactured and sold under both the brands.
For the initial phase, the production will take place in Bajaj’s Pune plant in 2022. In a statement, Bajaj mentioned that the development budget required for the project will be covered under medium-term plans.
(Representative Image: Chytka M./ KTM)
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Interestingly, Bajaj is powering its own line of electric two-wheelers as well. Bajaj Urbanite electric scooter, due to be launched later this year, will mark the start of Bajaj’s standalone brand for electric two-wheelers. Rajiv Bajaj, Bajaj Auto Managing Director, had earlier confirmed that the company is not interested in conventional IC engine scooters.
According to him, Bajaj will also be coming up with dedicated retail stores for the brand going forward. Once set up, Bajaj will be in a healthy position to have a hold on the growing EV market in the country.?Rajiv Bajaj also mentioned that the company is eyeing 20-25 percent market share (of all the two-wheelers) by 2020.
Bajaj already offers electric three-wheelers on sale for commercial uses. As and when the company will start selling electric two-wheelers, it will already have the setup for the after sales service of such battery powered vehicles, while having a large customer base of two-wheelers across the country.?