One look at the electric Kridn (pronounced Kree-Done, which in Sanskrit means ‘to play’) motorcycle and except for a box-like enclosure below the tank, there’s hardly anything unusual or exciting about it, in comparison to a conventional machine. The news of its export therefore does not click at once. Not, because it comes from a company that does not have a long legacy of automobile manufacture to boast of. A search about the company on the internet draws media reports, but the company website does not speak much about itself. It seems to speak more about the product rather than the company or its manufacturing infrastructure. A search concerning the company’s CEO, Gaurav Uppal, throws a Linkedin link. His previous ventures mark him as the co-founder of ‘Lets Score Soccer Stats’ app and then as the CEO of MapMyMeet iOS and Android App. This looks and sounds quite unlike how one would read the profile of Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero MotoCorp, or that of Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto. Perhaps that is where the magic of automotive electrification comes into play. There is no need for a manufacturing legacy of two-wheelers or a position of fame in the two-wheeler industry to be producing an electric two-wheeler. 

Coming under the spotlight sometime last year, Noida-based One Electric, it does not take long to figure out, is a start-up. Like Ola or a Zomato, it is sans any baggage that a legacy manufacturer would carry. Add to this equation the announcement to invade the African market and things start to settle down. As of now, One Electric has started exporting its Kridn electric motorcycle to Kenya. Against a backdrop where an estimated three million electric vehicles were sold the world over in comparison to an estimated 17,000 EVs sold in 2010, the ambition of One Electric to invade four other African markets begins to make sense. Priced at INR 1.25 lakh approximately, the Kridn is touted as the fastest electric motorcycle in India. It is claimed to be capable of a top speed of 95 kmph. Exported to Africa with an eye on the bike-taxi segment there (it is called as ‘Bodaboda’), the Kridn is promising a big change. Stacked against the Chinese, it is, according to Gaurav Uppal, offering the African bike-taxi buyers a sustainable, profitable and eco-friendly alternative to what they are currently using. 

The ‘African’ proposal

Stating that the Kridn is designed for tough road conditions, heavy loading and high temperatures, Uppal averred that it is capable of fitting into the African transport system, which is motorcycle intensive. Of the opinion that the Kridn is capable of answering the needs of African, Indian and South American users, he informed that the robust build of the Kridn is complemented by its comfortable seats, metal body and high power-speed capability. Emphasising that this is conducive enough to replace the stock petrol motorcycles Africans are using, Uppal explained that the Kridn can swap batteries, offer superior power and speed qualities, and can withstand heavy loading despite the rough road conditions that prevail in Africa. Claiming to be the first electric two-wheeler company to invade the African market, One Electric is working towards becoming a serious player in the African markets. It is keen to leverage the Kridn’s battery swapping technology to ensure that the bike-taxi operators are able to honour their timelines. Bike-taxi services are highly time sensitive. The option of battery swapping provides a convenient alternative to operate an internal combustion engine powered bike. 

Drawing attention to the electric motorcycle’s design and manufacturing process, Uppal said, “We have a complete in-house design, prototyping, development and production setup.” “We make our moulds and dies,” he added. The manufacturing process of One Electric is such that once a design is finalised, a 3D print-out is taken to check the fitment and alterations. Two or three iterations are a part. A pattern is made thereafter and plastic moulds are embarked upon. It is similar for metal parts manufacture, except there is no 3D printing resorted to. There are other technologies that One Electric employs. Agile enough to adapt and improvise a motorcycle design, according to Uppal, the company boasts of over 80 percent localisation. It uses high quality components to produce the Kridn and is working to achieve 100 percent localisation. Known to use a Honda frame for reference to built its own, One Electric is confident of achieving the goal.

About Kridn

To ensure a robust build, the chassis of the Kridn is said to be two-to-three kg heavier than those of similar motorcycles. It is built in-house along with parts like the battery, tank and speedometer. With stress on utility rather than a funky look, the Kridn employs seat, suspension, throttle and switches, lights and tyres that are sourced from leading suppliers in India. The seat, for example, is sourced from Meenakshi Polymers, the same company that supplies to Hero MotoCorp. The lights are said to be supplied by Fiem Industries, which also is a supplier to Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield. The suspension is claimed to be sourced from Munjal Showa, which enjoys a supplier status with Hero MotoCorp as well. The quantity of supply by Munjal Showa to Hero MotoCorp per month is said to be no less than half a million bike-pieces per month! The tyres are sourced from Ceat. 

With One Electric known to own an IP right for the design, fuel tank and battery box cover of the Kridn,  the cells of the battery pack for the electric motorcycle are claimed to be imported as of now. The motor controller and the single brake component are also said to be currently imported. The Noida plant of One Electric has the capacity to produce 1,000 units per month. A bigger plant at Pune and Delhi-NCR will soon elevate the count to 10,000 units a month, quipped Uppal. “Expect that to happen in the next three-to-four months,” he added. Aggressively pursuing localisation, One Electric is claimed to have two provisional patents for a new type of motor which is being developed locally. The company is said to hold six-to-seven IPs. Focusing on B2B segment in India, the company, completing multiple last-mile delivery trials, has started receiving LOI's for a pan-India rollout. Insisting on a limited presence in the B2C segment, it is aiming at a first-year deployment of close to 10,000 units.

The road ahead

Stating that the company did not avail of government subsidies due to the lack of suitable drivetrains in India, Uppal mentioned, “The invitation from states for setting up a manufacturing unit has boosted our morale.With the petrol prices rising, electric vehicles have an opportunity to draw people to them. On charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, Uppal averred that the lack of space to comfortably park the vehicle and charge is proving to be a limitation. “This is giving rise to technologies like battery swapping,” he stated. Expecting battery swapping and charging stations to come up, the way ahead, according to Uppal, will be ‘fast charging’ battery swapping stations. Several startups are focusing on that too, he informed. Of the opinion that one battery pack in a vehicle should have enough capacity to last at least two days, Uppal averred that his company is working on a battery tech that could help achieve this goal. It is doing so for its B2C consumers. For the B2B consumers, it is developing a separate infrastructure all together, consisting of ready charging at certain points in the city.

Facing a disruption due to Covid-19 in the form of factory shutdown and supply chain issues, One Electric is working to invade the European and South American markets by 2022. “The South American market,” said Uppal, “is similar to the Indian and African market.” “The European market at the other end is about high cost and quality components, about performance and more,” he added. To focus on the brand of lithium cells for its European strategy, the company, in India, is currently pushing the Kridn through 25 dealerships across six states. (MT)

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Keeping true to the motto of offering classic two-wheelers, revoking the spirit of Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles of the yesteryears, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has unveiled the new Yezdi Adventure motorcycle that combines retro styling with modern technological developments that are desired of the customers and dictated by the regulations. 

Indicating a clear improvement over the first generation Jawa and Yezdi machines, an outcome of research and development as well as the efforts to understanding the needs and aspirations of the customers, the company has treated the new Adventure machine with a   classic-ADV styling, which includes a redesigned main cage, a rally-style peak and striking new colours. 
Drawing attention are the striking looking twin LED headlamps (of Lumax make) at front. Balancing aspirational details and practical accessibility, the skeleton-like structure that works as a protection on either side comes into view. It partly covers the large, 15.5-litre large tank and acts as a protector in case of a fall so that the tank is not damaged. The structure could be also used to mount a small auxiliary fuel tank on either side in case of a long, arduous journey through a desolate countryside. 
The rear styling of the new motorcycle includes twin LED tail lamps. It marks a near complete redesign of the rear portion over the model it succeeds. With a manufacturing facility at Pithampur near Indore and a research and development centre in Pune, the company, which is said to be in the process of developing a more powerful 450 cc engine for its next line of products, has equipped the new (2025) Adventure motorcycle with a 334 cc ‘Aplha 2’ liquid-cooled single cylinder fuel injected engine that is OBD2 and E20 compliant. The bore and stroke of the engine is 81 mm and 65 mm respectively. 
Entering a market that is roughly defined as ‘mid-size adventure’ motorcycle market that consists of the Hero Xpulse, KTM 390 Adventure, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and a few others, the new adventure-tourer motorcycle is equipped with an advanced advanced traction control system that incorporates three ABD modes – Road, Rain and Off-road.  
Working to expand its dealer network to 500 numbers by the festive season from the current count of around 300, the company has engineered the ABS such that it is switchable for varied terrain. 
The motorcycle has been engineered to offer a seat height of 815 mm to suit riders of diverse heights. The gearbox is a six-speed constant mesh variety where the first few ratios are designed to ensure a strong thrust (the kind that is favourable during off-road riding) and the later ratios are designed to be wide enough to support on-road touring. 
Featuring an adjustable windscreen and a digital instrument cluster, the new motorcycle has seen gear-based fuel mapping for smooth power delivery across the rev range. 
Available in six distinctive colours, the machine is priced upwards of INR 214,900 and up till INR 226,900 ex-showroom Delhi. Price wise, it is approximately INR 80,000 less than the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. 
Speaking at the launch with Boman Irani of the erstwhile Ideal Jawa Mysore, in Mumbai, Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, said, “We have created India’s most honest adventure touring motorcycle. We did it with our signature style – it is a classic and it is a Yezdi.” “It is a motorcycle that the Indian adventure bikers were waiting for with the right combination of design, technology and performance born of India roads,” he explained.    

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TVS Motor Company has become the official race machine provider for the National Championship Pro Stock 200 class at the 2025 Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), which is scheduled from 6 June 2025 to 8 June 2025 at MIC, Chennai. 
This is the first time in the history of Indian motorsports that a brand has been entrusted to design, develop and provide race-tuned motorcycles specifically for the National Championship. The breakthrough paves the way to democratise two-wheeler racing, making it easier and more affordable for independent racers to participate, reflecting FMSCI and MMSC’s vision of expanding competitive motorsport. 
The National Championship Pro Stock 200 at INMRC 2025 is a new and exciting format introduced by the MIC to elevate competition and support independent racing teams. As part of this development, TVSM will provide race-tuned TVS Apache GP200R motorcycles to independent teams, who will engage their racers to compete in this championship class.
PETRONAS TVS Racing team will provide complete technical support and machine service and maintenance to ensure peak performance throughout the season. With 20 years of TVS Apache’s racing heritage behind it, this milestone marks a powerful step forward in Indian motorsports. The selection process for participating teams and racers was recently concluded at the Madras International Circuit on 28 May 2025. Seven teams and twelve racers have been selected for this dynamic new class.
Vimal Sumbly, Head - Premium Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “At TVS Motor Company, our racing DNA drives us to innovate and lead from the front. We are proud to be the first two-wheeler manufacturer in Indian motorsport history to provide race-tuned machines to independent teams for the National Championship. This landmark development, supported by the vision of the Madras International Circuit makes it easier and more affordable for independent teams to participate and compete at the highest level. This year holds even greater significance as we mark two decades of our flagship performance brand, the TVS Apache – a true embodiment of our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. As we charge into the new season, we aim not just to race, but to raise the bar for motorsports in India once again.”

The specifications of the race-tuned Apache GP200 R are, 
Displacement: 200 cc
Kerb Weight: 105 Kg
Maximum Power: A 40 percent increase from 19.5 bhp
Top Speed: Over 155 kmph

The modification details include a modified cylinder head for higher volumetric efficiency, high lift camshaft, high compression ratio, advanced ECU with closed-loop control, quick shifter, data logging capabilities, fine-tuned induction and exhaust system, adjustable front and rear suspension, aerodynamic bodywork, lighter racing wheels, aluminium subframe, and higher brake power.
 

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Ather Energy Limited has announced that its family scooter, the Rizta, has crossed the one lakh unit retail sales milestone within a year of its launch. The e-scooter has received a strong response from family scooter buyers across India, since its unveiling in April 2024, contributing to significant growth in Ather’s market share.

Commenting on this milestone, Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Hitting the one lakh milestone with the Rizta is a big moment for us. The Rizta, which was built from the ground up with a focus on addressing the needs of Indian families, has played a key role in expanding our reach and connecting with a much wider set of customers. It combines practically everything a family scooter needs: a spacious and comfortable seat, ample storage, safety features, and reliability to make every day commuting effortless.” “All of this is packaged in great design that Ather has come to be known for. In less than a year since its launch, the Rizta has helped us grow our market share significantly across multiple states, broadened our consumer profile, and accelerated adoption in states where our presence was earlier limited,” he added.  

Expanding the reach of Ather Energy into the family e-scooter market that has the likes of TVS iQube, the Rizta is claimed to have contributed to its manufacturer’s efforts in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to scale up. This is particularly said to be the case in the second quarter of FY25. The family e-scooter is known to account for around 60 percent of the total sales to date.

As per the Vahan data, Ather Energy has described itself as the Number one brand in South India with the 450 and Rizta as the products. The Rizta features a 56-litre under-seat storage space; a wide and comfortable seat; a spacious floorboard; ‘SkidControl’ traction control system that manages motor torque to prevent loss of traction on low friction surfaces like gravel, sand, water or oil; tow and theft alert, which notifies the owner about any unauthorised movement of their scooters; emergency stop system which flashes the tail light rapidly to indicate to the vehicle behind that you’re coming to a sudden halt; a software enabled ‘Live Location Sharing’ which is a part of the AtherStack 6 and allows riders to share their location with a preset contact in just a few clicks and enhances the safety of riders in emergency situations, and Google Maps on the dashboard for easy navigation.

The electric powertrain of the family e-scooter is similar to that of the 450.

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Japanese two-wheeler major India Yamaha Motor (IYM) has introduced five-year Roadside Assistance (RSA) program, as part of its 40-year milestone in India.

The program will offer customers an extended RSA program for five years at just INR 975, which will bring forth peace-of-mind, especially during an unforeseen on-road emergency.

The company will provide – towing support in case of breakdown or accident, battery jumpstart assistance, flat tyre support, running repair services for minor issues and medical assistance in case of emergencies.

The new initiative will further complement Yamaha’s recent 10-year ‘Total Warranty Program’, which offers customers to get 2+8 years extended warranty.

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