Hero MotoCorp Working on Multiple EV Projects

Hero MotoCorp is already working on multiple EV projects, company chairman Pawan Munjal has said.

The country’s largest two wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has revealed that the company is already working on multiple electric vehicle (EV) projects, company chairman Pawan Munjal said in the company’s Annual Report for 2018-19.

The company is fully geared up for the EV challenge and has asked the government for a more cautious, clear and realistic roadmap towards the adoption of such technology in the country.

“The entire world is adopting the global mobility trends of electrification, shared mobility and connected two-wheelers. The company is working on several Electric Vehicle projects and is fully geared up for this challenge,” Munjal said.

The company has made a sizeable strategic investment in the electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy, which has already launched a range of electric scooters, he added. “Hero intends to enhance its participation in the Electric Vehicle space by pursuing its internal Electric Vehicle programme in addition to partnering with Ather.”

The company has an ongoing project exclusively dedicated to developing Electric Vehicles at its Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur.

Munjal said the company appreciates and whole-heartedly supports the government’s vision of a more sustainable and environment-friendly future. “We, therefore, propose a more cautious, clear and realistic roadmap towards the adoption of Electric Vehicles. The scale and timing of the adoption need prudent deliberations and we will gladly support all stakeholders in this process,” he added. ok

The two-wheeler industry continues to grapple with slowdown and one significant step which the government could take to revive sales would be the removal of two-wheelers from the highest GST slab of 28 percent to 18 percent slab. “This will help revive the industry, which in turn, will help in bringing the economy back on track,” he added.