Hero MotoCorp forays into EVs; unveils VIDA V1 at ₹1.45 lakh

The electric scooter would be produced at the company's Chittoor-based plant in Andhra Pradesh and compete with the likes of Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, Ather Energy, Hero Electric and Ola Electric among others

The country's largest two wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp on Friday forayed into the electric vehicle segment with the introduction of its first electric scooter VIDA V1 priced at ₹1.45 lakh (ex-showroom).

The company has introduced two trims of the scooter - VIDA V1 Plus and VIDA V1 Pro - tagged at ₹1.45 lakh and ₹1.59 lakh, respectively.

The VIDA V1 Plus comes with a range of 143 kilometres, while the VIDA V1 Pro comes with an enhanced range of 165 kms on a single charge.

The company will commence sales of the electric scooter in Bengaluru, Delhi and Jaipur before scaling up to the new locations.

The bookings will start on October 10 and deliveries will commence from the second week of December.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch, Hero MotoCorp Chairman and CEO Pawan Munjal said the company will add new locations gradually while utilising its existing strength in terms of strong sales infrastructure across the country.

"We will not go for high volumes right up from the start. We will open bookings in another eight cities in December followed by more cities. As we ramp up production, we will open in more cities," he stated.