Suzuki Motorcycle India is reportedly planning to bring electric bikes in the Indian market by 2020. Interestingly company’s car making unit in India, Maruti Suzuki is also planning to launch electric car in the country during the same time frame.
It is said to be the result of last year’s meeting between chairman Osamu Suzuki and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Suzuki, Denso and Toshiba, has committed to investing Rs 1,700 crore in setting up a battery-making facility in Gujarat.
According to ET Suzuki Motorcycle India has requested the headquarters in Japan for an electric scooter as well as an electric bike for the local market.
The publication notes that a project team of five people has been setup by Suzuki and has engaged KPMG to help devise electric vehicle solutions.
Suzuki Motorcycle managing director Satoshi Uchida speaking to the publication said “The cost of electric scooter is still high when compared to the conventional scooters. We are currently studying as to how we can offer an electric scooter that is accessible and addresses the range issue. We should have an electric scooter for India by 2020.”
While the company’s immediate priority is scooters, however, it plans to launch electric bikes as well. According to the company adoption of electrification in two-wheelers could be much faster than in other segments.
The report states that Suzuki is also looking out to options of introducing swappable batteries to address the range anxiety challenge.