India’s two-wheeler king is finally going electric — and not with a scooter. Hero MotoCorp has officially confirmed that its first-ever electric motorcycle will arrive in 2027, a move that could fundamentally reshape India’s EV landscape. With two purpose-built platforms in the pipeline, a strategic tie-up with Zero Motorcycles, and the iconic Splendor name about to go electric, Hero isn’t just entering a segment — it’s swinging for dominance. Here is a complete breakdown of what’s coming, why it matters, and what buyers should realistically expect.
Key Highlights
- Official confirmation: Hero MotoCorp CEO Harshavardhan Chitale and Chief Business Officer Kausalya Nandakumar have both confirmed electric motorcycle launches for 2027
- Two dedicated platforms: UBEX (urban naked) and VXZ (performance/adventure), both first revealed as concepts at EICMA 2025 in Milan
- Zero Motorcycles partnership: VXZ co-developed with the US-based EV specialist, built on an all-new ground-up platform
- Splendor EV in the works: Internally codenamed AEDA, it targets the commuter segment with a 2 lakh units/year production ambition
- Design patents filed: VXZ design patents registered in India as of early 2026, signalling imminent production readiness
- EV production ramp-up: Monthly Vida scooter capacity scaling to 45,000 units in FY27, providing manufacturing backbone for motorcycle rollout
- Expected pricing: VXZ estimated around ₹2.5 lakh (ex-showroom); commuter Splendor EV expected to undercut significantly
Why This Is a Landmark Moment for Indian Two-Wheelers
For years, India’s electric two-wheeler story has essentially been a scooter story. Ola Electric, TVS, Bajaj, and Ather have fought hard in the scooter space, while motorcycles — which account for well over two-thirds of all two-wheeler sales in India — remained almost entirely untouched by electrification.
Hero MotoCorp, which sells tens of millions of motorcycles annually and is the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer by volume, is perfectly positioned to change that. Its pivot into electric motorcycles is not a defensive play — it’s a calculated offensive into a segment that no major OEM has cracked at scale.
Kausalya Nandakumar, Hero’s Chief Business Officer for Emerging Mobility, put it plainly when speaking to investors: “Not this year. We will be looking at products coming in from next year.” That “next year” is now 2027, and the company is backing its words with patents, platform investments, and a clear production roadmap.
The Two Platforms: UBEX and VXZ Explained
Hero’s electric motorcycle strategy rests on two entirely new motorcycle-specific platforms, not adaptations of its existing Vida scooter architecture. Both concepts were unveiled at EICMA 2025 — one of the world’s most prestigious motorcycle shows — and both have progressed meaningfully since then.
Hero Vida UBEX — The Urban Hypermoto
The name UBEX is derived from “Urbex” — short for urban exploration — and the bike’s character is every bit as restless as the word implies. This is Hero’s neo-naked street fighter, a machine designed for riders who want real motorcycle excitement without leaving city limits.
UBEX Key Design & Feature Details:
- Neo-naked urban hypermoto silhouette with a tall, dominant stance
- Exposed frame with dual-tone paintwork (red body panels, white frame on the concept)
- Front beak design with aggressive fender, floating seat
- USD (upside-down) front forks and rear monoshock
- Mid-mounted electric motor (battery pack and output TBC)
- Large, likely fixed battery pack with higher range than conventional scooters
- TFT instrument cluster with connected features, including turn-by-turn navigation
- Modular platform designed for potential future variants
The UBEX is Hero’s answer to the enthusiast who wants the thrill and immediate torque delivery of an electric powertrain wrapped in proper motorcycle ergonomics. Think urban commuting with a side order of weekend adrenaline. The relaxed-but-ready riding stance makes it practical enough for daily use while the design language ensures it won’t be mistaken for anything ordinary.
Hero Vida VXZ — The Zero Motorcycles Collaboration
The VXZ is the more exciting of the two for performance enthusiasts, and its backstory adds significant credibility. Developed in partnership with Zero Motorcycles — the California-based brand that has been building premium electric motorcycles for over 15 years — the VXZ represents Hero’s push into the performance-adventure space.
VXZ Key Design & Feature Details:
- Semi-faired streetfighter/sportbike aesthetic with adventure-oriented character
- Aggressive front fascia with a sharp V-shaped LED DRL
- USD front forks with petal disc brakes at both ends
- Rear monoshock, belt drive transmission system
- 17-inch front alloy wheels with 110/70 tubeless section
- Split seats, rectangular digital display, multiple ride modes
- All-new ground-up platform — not based on any existing Zero Motorcycles architecture
- Expected price: approximately ₹2.5 lakh (ex-showroom), with possible multiple variants
The name VXZ reportedly stands for VIDA x Zero — a shorthand for the collaboration. Critically, despite co-development with Zero Motorcycles, the platform has been built from scratch to suit Indian road conditions, pricing expectations, and the demands of local motorcycle buyers.
The Splendor EV: Electrifying India’s Most Beloved Bike
Beyond the UBEX and VXZ, Hero has an arguably bigger card to play: an electric version of the Hero Splendor — India’s best-selling motorcycle of all time. With over 3.3 million Splendors sold in 2024 alone, the electric Splendor (project codename: AEDA) has the potential to do for electric motorcycles what the original did for petrol ones.
Developed at Hero’s Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, the electric Splendor targets the commuter segment — daily riders, delivery workers, and the vast base of price-sensitive motorcycle buyers who form the core of India’s two-wheeler market. Hero is targeting annual production of approximately 2 lakh units, which would make it one of the highest-volume electric motorcycles ever attempted in India.
Additionally, Hero is working on project ADZA — electric motorcycles equivalent to 150cc and 250cc ICE models — targeting younger performance-conscious buyers seeking style alongside substance.
Hero’s EV Ecosystem: The Bigger Picture
Understanding Hero’s electric motorcycle ambitions requires understanding the broader ecosystem the company is building. Hero is not approaching this as a standalone product launch — it’s constructing an end-to-end EV business.
Hero EV Ecosystem at a Glance:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| EV Sub-brand | Vida (Hero MotoCorp’s electric arm) |
| Current Scooter Products | Vida V2, Vida VX2 |
| Monthly Production Capacity (FY27 target) | 45,000 units (up from 15,000 in FY26) |
| Ather Energy Stake | Largest shareholder |
| Zero Motorcycles Partnership | Platform co-development for VXZ |
| EV Sales in CY2025 | 1,09,167 units (+150% YoY) |
| Annual EV Target by FY28 | 5 lakh+ units across all segments |
| Off-road EV Product | Vida Lynx dirt bike (for global markets, 2026) |
Hero’s Vida division sold 1,09,167 electric scooters in CY2025 — a 150% year-on-year jump — representing the brand’s strongest EV performance to date. That growth trajectory, combined with the production capacity expansion underway, gives the electric motorcycle programme a solid industrial foundation to build on.
Competitive Landscape: Who Does Hero Need to Beat?
The Indian electric motorcycle market is small today but heating up quickly. Here’s how the competitive field looks heading into 2027.
| Brand | Product | Segment | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolt Motors | RV400 BRZ | Urban commuter | ₹1.4 – ₹1.7 lakh |
| Bajaj Auto | Electric motorcycle (FY28) | TBD | TBD |
| Tork Motors | T6X | Performance commuter | ₹1.5 – ₹1.8 lakh |
| Hero MotoCorp | UBEX / VXZ / Splendor EV | Urban/Performance/Commuter | ₹1 – ₹2.5 lakh (est.) |
| Royal Enfield | Electric (future) | Touring/Premium | Premium+ |
Revolt Motors has been the de facto electric motorcycle market leader in India, but with just over 51,000 cumulative deliveries since 2019, the segment remains very much in its infancy. Hero’s entry — backed by its 10,000+ dealer network, deep service infrastructure, and brand trust built over decades — changes the mathematics entirely.
Pros and Cons: Hero’s Electric Motorcycle Play
Pros
- Massive brand trust: Hero’s name is synonymous with reliability for millions of Indian motorcycle buyers — a huge advantage at the moment of EV purchase consideration
- Deep distribution network: Over 10,000 touchpoints across India means servicing and support won’t be an urban-only privilege
- Two-platform strategy: Separate platforms for different buyer needs instead of stretching one architecture
- Zero Motorcycles DNA: Genuine performance motorcycle expertise baked into the VXZ programme
- Right timing: Entering in 2027 as awareness, infrastructure, and buyer confidence in EV motorcycles mature
Cons
- Late to market: Competitors like Revolt and Tork have years of real-world data and customer relationships already built
- Unproven electric motorcycle platform: UBEX and VXZ are entirely new architectures — early buyers will be the real-world test fleet
- Pricing pressure: At ₹2.5 lakh, VXZ will face scrutiny against both ICE performance bikes and other EV options
- Charging network gaps: Unlike scooters used near charging points at home, motorcycle buyers often have longer commutes or touring use cases that demand better public infrastructure
What Should Buyers Do Now?
If you’re in the market for a motorcycle in 2026–2027 and the Hero electric options interest you, here’s practical guidance:
- Don’t wait if you need a bike urgently. A confirmed 2027 launch doesn’t mean January 2027. Expect the UBEX or VXZ closer to late 2027, potentially with limited cities first.
- Watch for the official spec reveal. Hero’s CEO has promised more details “in the coming months” — battery capacity, real-world range, and ARAI-certified range figures will be crucial before making any buying decision.
- Consider your use case. The Splendor EV (AEDA) is for commuters. VXZ is for enthusiasts. Don’t buy the performance bike if you need a cost-efficient daily runner, and vice versa.
- Factor in total cost of ownership. Electric motorcycles typically cost 60–70% less per kilometre to run compared to petrol bikes — that’s a meaningful saving for high-mileage riders.
- Keep an eye on Delhi’s 2028 ICE ban. If you’re based in Delhi-NCR, the proposed ban on new ICE two-wheeler sales from April 2028 makes the 2027 Hero electric motorcycle launch not just interesting but potentially time-sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When exactly will Hero MotoCorp’s first electric motorcycle launch in India? Hero MotoCorp has confirmed a 2027 timeline for its first electric motorcycle. The UBEX and/or VXZ are the most likely candidates for launch, with the exact month yet to be announced. Expect more details from Hero in the coming months as the programme nears production readiness.
2. What is the expected price of the Hero Vida VXZ electric motorcycle? The Hero Vida VXZ is estimated to be priced around ₹2.5 lakh (ex-showroom). Multiple variants based on battery capacity and features are possible. Official pricing will only be confirmed closer to launch.
3. What is the difference between the Hero UBEX and VXZ? The UBEX is an urban-focused neo-naked hypermoto designed for city riding with a tall, aggressive stance and all-terrain capability. The VXZ, co-developed with Zero Motorcycles, is a performance-oriented semi-faired motorcycle with a more sporty, adventure-leaning character. They are built on two completely separate platforms.
4. Is the Hero Splendor EV the same as the UBEX or VXZ? No. The Splendor EV (project AEDA) is an entirely separate product aimed at the mass-market commuter segment. It is being developed at Hero’s Centre of Innovation and Technology in Jaipur and targets affordability and volume. The UBEX and VXZ are performance-focused, Vida-branded motorcycles.
5. How does the Hero electric motorcycle compare to the Revolt RV400? The Revolt RV400 has been India’s dominant electric motorcycle so far, but Hero’s products are expected to offer significantly larger dealer networks, broader service coverage, and — in the case of the VXZ — a higher specification level with Zero Motorcycles input. Revolt competes primarily on price; Hero will likely compete on brand, ecosystem, and product range breadth.
6. What is Hero’s overall EV strategy beyond motorcycles? Hero aims to sell over 5 lakh electric vehicles annually by FY28, spanning scooters (Vida V2, VX2), electric motorcycles (UBEX, VXZ, Splendor EV), and off-road EVs (Vida Lynx dirt bike). The company has scaled Vida production capacity to 45,000 units per month in FY27 and holds a major stake in Ather Energy, giving it additional EV market depth.
Final Verdict: India’s Electric Motorcycle Era Officially Begins
Hero MotoCorp entering the electric motorcycle space is not a footnote in India’s EV story — it’s a chapter heading. When the world’s largest two-wheeler brand commits to two purpose-built electric motorcycle platforms, files patents in India, and gives investors a firm 2027 timeline, the signal is unmistakable: the electric motorcycle segment in India is about to grow up.
The UBEX and VXZ are genuinely interesting machines on their own merit — one for the city rider who wants real performance, one for the enthusiast who wants credentials alongside electric credentials. The Splendor EV, meanwhile, could be the product that finally bridges the gap between electric aspiration and mass-market adoption in the motorcycle segment.
Is 2027 too late? Perhaps for the early adopters. But for the millions of mainstream motorcycle buyers who have been waiting for a trusted name to show them the way, Hero MotoCorp’s timing might be exactly right.
Stay tuned to CarQuestIndia.com for the latest updates on Hero MotoCorp’s electric motorcycle programme, including spec reveals, launch dates, and our on-road first impressions as soon as they are available.
Read More:
