Almost all manufacturers have expressed an interest in developing new platforms, with some even joining forces to develop new electric platforms that will eventually give rise to a wide range of models.
We’ve seen all kinds of manufacturers from Europe teaming up with brands from China and India to simplify the development of new models and, at the same time, take advantage of manufacturing capacities. KTM and all its sister companies have a long-standing partnership with Bajaj – a partnership that is expected to produce electric models in the not too distant future. Zero Motorcycles has also signed an agreement with India’s Hero MotoCorp for the latter to sell the bikes on the Indian market.
Although most partnerships usually start with distribution agreements, they end up being much more far-reaching, with the two companies joining forces to develop new models. This does indeed seem to be the case with Hero MotoCorp and Zero Motorcycles, as investor reports in the Indian media reveal that the two companies are working together to develop a new electric platform.
More specifically, in Hero MotoCorp’s Investor Interaction report, dated January 23, 2024, it was revealed that the future electric platform will give rise to at least four different motorcycle models. The Hero and Zero approach will be presented in two phases. The first phase will involve the launch of two high-performance models, both underpinned by the same technology but with different fairing styles. Next, the partnership will offer mid-range electric motorcycles, presumably with the same engine, though tweaked for more beginner-friendly performance.
Hero is no stranger to electric motors, as it has been marketing its all-electric Vida sub-brand for some time. The collaboration between Hero and Zero is expected to result in bikes with similar technology and performance to Zero’s, but at a much more accessible price for a wider range of riders. If the Hero slides are anything to go by, it looks like at least one model in each phase will be a naked model, while the other will be a sportier model with more aggressive ergonomics. To begin development of the new platform, Hero has secured an investment of 60 million dollars by March 2023.
It’s important to note, however, that in the context of the Indian market, the term “high performance” has a slightly different meaning than in the US and European markets. Normally, motorcycles with engines over 200 cc and power outputs over 25 hp are considered high performance in India. In Europe, meanwhile, they would be considered nothing more than machines for novice riders. While the news of a partnership between Hero and Zero is indeed exciting, it is likely that even the “high performance” models resulting from the partnership will not be as powerful as Zero’s current range.