Ultraviolette: India’s electric bike

FOR MOST of us the idea of an Indian-made bike will conjure images of a Royal Enfield single. Appealing in its own way, sure, but not something you’d think of as ‘cutting edge’.

But Indian electric bike start-up Ultraviolette Automotive, is planning to get this radical-looking battery-powered machine into production before the end of next year.

The firm already has prototypes – albeit not looking much like this rendering yet – and has attracted interest from major manufacturers. Indian bike-making giant TVS bought a 14.78% stake in the firm last year. It’s also just announced additional funding equivalent to nearly £700,000.

The Ultraviolette machine is expected to have performance similar to that of a 250cc petrol-engined bike.

Narayan Subramaniam, founder and CEO of  Ultraviolette Automotive said: “This investment is a validation of TVS Motor Company’s faith in our product and the progress we have made so far with our motorcycle. We are building a high-performance, electric motorcycle that brings together the best of technology and design to deliver an unmatched user experience. The motorcycle will be enabled with smart features such as onboard diagnostics, preventive maintenance, over-the-air upgrades and ride customization. We believe that TVS Motor Company’s continued support will go a long way in realizing our goal of delivering a superior electric vehicle in India.”