Royal Enfield, the world's largest midsize motorcycle maker is making rapid strides in the electrification space. Our sister publication, Autocar Professional, has learned that the company is likely to showcase an electric ADV concept at the upcoming EICMA two-wheeler show in Milan, Italy.
While this concept is a glimpse of what lies ahead for Royal Enfield’s electric future, it is possible that it will be a co-developed platform with Stark, a Spanish company that Royal Enfield acquired last year.
The company’s top management has confirmed that the electric vehicle based on both Royal Enfield’s and Stark Motorcycle’s platforms are currently under development.
In the case of this concept, it is yet to be confirmed, but it could be using components from the Stark VARG platform. The VARG is an electric dirt bike from Stark Future that has some serious performance thanks to a claimed 80hp propelling just 118kg (kerb).
Royal Enfield has committed over Rs 1,500 crore to its EV business and it has already brought on board key management executives. Umesh Krishnappa, CTO, has been driving the development project and Royal Enfield has also hired ex-Ducati veteran Mario Alvisi as chief growth officer for its EV business. Both Umesh and Mario report to Royal Enfield CEO, B Govindarajan.
A dedicated EV unit is already formed, which operates like a start up, and gets higher time and resources from the top management. While Royal Enfield has already acquired a new land parcel for the EV facility in Cheyyar, the first set of electric vehicles will be coming out of its Oragadam facility – from a separate manufacturing line.