The shift towards battery-powered vehicles in India has led to multiple new products being launched in the electric vehicle (EV) space, particularly in the two-wheeler segment. While IC engine-powered vehicles still dominate Indian roads, manufacturers are keen to keep their best-selling brands relevant in the future. This has led to designers and automotive enthusiasts imagining electric versions of popular two-wheelers like the Hero Splendor.
Design Features
Automotive designer Vinay Raj Somashekar has created a render of the Hero Splendor Electric motorcycle. He says, “The Hero Splendor is the quintessential motorcycle in the country, period. Its appearance is iconic and ageless. There is almost nothing random about its design. Every element feels meaningful and purposeful, and the proportions are spot on.”
Somashekar managed to retain most of the signature design elements from the petrol-powered Splendor while making some key and obvious variations. For instance, the engine and gearbox assembly has been replaced by a battery pack enclosed within a blacked-out casing. The electric version gets attractive blue accents on the headlamp casing, alloy rims, central panels, and rear fender which create a nice contrast.
The standard stainless steel grab rail is replaced by a single-piece plastic grab rail borrowed from the HF Deluxe. The electric version gets a slightly modified branding in the form of an ‘eSplendor,’ while the rear fender gets an ‘Urban’ tag.
Practical Changes Needed
In a practical world, some key changes would have to be made to Splendor’s structure. For example, the downtube chassis would have to be readjusted so that it can house a battery pack and mounting points for the motor. The tank would now comprise a charger circuit, master controller, and other auxiliary electronics, while the side box would house a motor controller.
Electric Specifications
The Hero Splendor Electric motorcycle render comes with a fixed 4kWh battery pack that feeds energy to a 9kW mid-ship mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels using a silent belt drive. There is also space for a secondary 2kWh battery pack which could be a removable unit. The additional battery pack increases the single-charge range by up to 50 percent.
Range and Charging
The standard 4kWh battery pack offers a range of 120km on a single charge while with an additional 6kWh battery, this figure increases to 180km. The charging port is accessible through the fuel tank lid. The illustrator has also defined four different variants of eSplendor, including Default, Utility+, Range+, and Range Max, with different configurations.
Conclusion
As of now, Hero MotoCorp has not announced any plans to launch Splendor Electric. However, an EV conversion kit for Hero Splendor was launched a few months ago by a Thane-based EV startup named GoGoA1. This was the first instance where an EV conversion kit for two-wheelers had been approved by an RTO.
The demand for EVs is steadily growing in India, with government incentives and rising fuel prices encouraging more people to switch to electric vehicles. The Hero Splendor Electric motorcycle render shows that it is possible to reimagine and electrify even the most iconic and traditional two-wheelers in India. If manufacturers can successfully integrate EV technology into their best-selling models, it could accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable transportation system in India.
