Q) What was the inspiration behind Yulu?

Amit Gupta: Ideally, Yulu was my brain-child, but Yulu holds the position of being the largest e-mobility player in India today only because of our dream team, which came along with the other co-founders who have their own expertise in technology, operations, and EV ecosystem to enhance the product offering further, so that the commuters have a great experience. The impact of air pollution and traffic congestion on the environment was a worrying trend that we commonly wanted to address through technology.

Our vision is to decongest urban traffic by providing a highly scalable, affordable, efficient, and clean mode for the first and last mile connectivity and short distance commute. The future of mobility is safe, smart, shared, sustainable, and small and electric vehicles have a big role in this transition. Hence, the idea of smaller and efficient clean energy vehicles was an obvious route that we chose.

Q) How was the Miracle conceived?

Amit Gupta: After launching the Yulu Move, we found that the average distance travelled by bicycle was two km and Yulu bicycles were mostly not used by people who had to ride between three and five km. There were several explanations for this: it was too hot, the trip was too long, they didn’t want to cycle so much, or they wanted a quicker way of commuting.

That’s when the team began thinking about a product on electric mobility. Yulu launched its electric scooter – Yulu Miracle – in Bangalore in 2019. Yulu’s vision is to provide shared, smart and sustainable urban e-mobility solution which is seamlessly integrated with public transport with an objective to drastically reduce congestion and pollution and improve economic productivity. Our mobility solutions are special; they are created for shared economy and solo-ridership.

Q) How does Yulu Business Model caters to the issues in Indian EV Ecosystem faces?

Amit Gupta:

Solved for Battery Charging Infrastructure:

Yulu has solved the ‘chicken and egg’ problem faced by the electric vehicle ecosystem in India, where the lack of charging infrastructure influences the advent of EVs, and vice versa. The company has created a unique battery-swapping network by placing its proprietary IoT-enabled charging box (Yulu Max) at hundreds of mom-n-pop stores across its operational areas. Yulu’s on-ground Ops team is able to locate the nearest Yulu Max which has charged batteries using a dedicated app for the Ops team. The same app shows the set of vehicles that have a battery-charge level below a defined threshold along with their real-time location. This method is low cost and highly scalable.

Solved for Parking Infrastructure:

Unlike China, Indian cities don’t have the infrastructure for parking of shared mobility vehicles. Yulu has solved this problem by working with cities, corporates and citizens who have given access to prime real estate to create Yulu Zones. Most of these spots have been given to Yulu in kind to help build sustainable mobility for the cities in a collaborative manner. Yulu has been able to replicate this model in every city it operates.

Solved for the Safety of the Assets:

Yulu Miracle has a theft rate of less than one percent, which is significantly lower than global ride-sharing platforms. This is attributable to Yulu’s operational model of drop off at designated Yulu Zones and a human network of local informers and ‘well-wishers’ who tip off its Ops team in case of any potential abuse or theft incident. Further, as the Yulu Miracle was designed specifically for shared mobility, it has no ‘standard’ parts which could be used in other bikes in the market, so there is economic value for someone stealing them. Additionally, Yulu has deployed a team of ‘bike-marshals’ who ensure strong consequence-management actions when they catch someone doing wrong with its fleet.

Solved for High Durability:

Yulu Miracle has been built keeping in mind the convenience of users on Indian roads, ease of maintenance for the on-ground Ops team and durability to be used in a shared mobility model. The minimal use of plastic parts and regular proactive maintenance activities have ensured that the Miracles are in good working condition at all times. The first batch of Miracles deployed in Bangalore, which have been on the road for over seven months, has shown no sign of a reduction in asset quality.

Q) Can we expect any newer models in your range?

Amit Gupta: We have two models deployed on road, while we are working on a few hybrid and high-speed models. (MT)

TVS Motor Company, a leading two- and three-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the updated TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at INR 139,000.

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is powered by a 159.7cc, oil-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-valve, which produces 17.55 PS at 9,250 rpm and 14.73 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.

It comes with a segment-first 37mm Upside Down (USD) suspension and three ride modes — Sport, Urban, and Rain, which the company claims enhance control, stability, and adaptability across diverse riding conditions.

Like with most of the new models from the TVS Motor Co’s stable, the Apache RTR 160 4V now comes with TVS SmartXonnect technology, which provides Bluetooth connectivity, providing turn-by-turn navigation, call & SMS alerts, and voice assist.

In terms of design, the refreshed TVS Apache RTR 160 4V’s can be had in three colour options – Granite Grey, Matte Black, and Pearl White, which are complemented by sporty, race-inspired graphics, golden-finish USD forks, and red alloy wheels. 

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are proud to lead the way in engineering and innovation in motorcycles. With that commitment, we are excited to announce the upgrade of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with cutting-edge features and advanced technology. Built on a rich racing legacy, the TVS Apache Series proudly serves over 5.5 million enthusiasts, making it one of the fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands globally. We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers by integrating performance, technology, and style. By constantly evolving in our set of offerings, we have set new benchmarks for performance motorcycles in India.”

KAW Veloce Motors Pvt Ltd (KVMPL) has unveiled the Brixton brand of motorcycles (600 cc and 1200 cc) and an e-scooter of the Italian brand Velocifero (VLF) called Tennis in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The unveiling of both the machines – the motorcycle with an ICE and the e-scooter with a battery and motor – at the Highland Club on the outskirts of the city took place amid much fanfare.

The Brixton motorcycle and VLF e-scooter – with an angular bodywork overall that is synonymous with Italian design culture and featuring a 2.1kW hub motor, and a range of 130 km – will be offered through the MotoHaus retail channel, the first outlet of which is set to be commissioned in a few days from now in Kolhapur.

Both the two-wheelers – the e-scooter is priced at INR 1,30,000 ex-showroom – are being put together (from a CKD kit) at a plant that is about 12 km from the launch venue as part of the Phase I strategy. To be offered through MotoHaus outlets in cities Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Jaipur, Vapi, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Nashik, Nagpur, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara besides Kolhapur, the two vehicle brands are expected to be joined by a third Italian brand and an in-house electric two-wheeler brand at a later date.

Once the Phase I strategy plays out and the Bixton and VLF offerings find a footing in the Indian market, the company will embark on the Phase II strategy that will include a design and development centre at Kolhapur. The strategy will also include a manufacturing plant that can do 25,000 units and enable the engineering of a robust supply chain in terms of localisation.

It is at the Phase II level that investments from Brixton Motorcycles (Austria) and VLF are expected to come into the venture, which is initially supported by the parent company of KAW Veloce.

TVS Motor Company-owned British premium motorcycle brand Norton Motorcycles, has announced changes to its leadership structure.

The company has announced Dr. Robert Hentschel, currently CEO, will step back from his role effective immediately. He will transition to a non-executive director role within the company.

On the other hand, Nevijo Mance will join Norton Motorcycles as Executive Director, overseeing all upstream business operations, as part of the new leadership structure.

He will be responsible for product design, development and engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality control, and supply chain management.

In addition, Richard Arnold, who was appointed Executive Director in June 2024, will be responsible for downstream business operations, including marketing, brand management, sales, distribution, customer relationship management, aftersales service, product management, and public relations.

He will also be responsible for enhancing customer experience, expanding Norton’s market reach, and strengthening the brand’s presence across global markets.

Dr Rober had been leading the company since 2021, and has been instrumental in strengthening Norton’s foundations, guiding the company through crucial stages of its growth plan and establishing a strong operational base. He had played a key role in synergistic relationship with parent TVS Motor Company, which has been pivotal in advancing Norton’s progress and setting the stage for future success.

TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global manufacturer of two- and three-wheelers, has announced the date and venue for the fourth edition of its TVS MotoSoul festival. The two-day festival will be held at Vagator, Goa, on 6 and 7 December 2024 with a focus on eco-friendly branding and sustainable practices.

Riding on this year’s theme of ‘Feel the Adrenaline, Feel the Inspiration, Feel the Groove’, TVS MotoSoul 4.0 is expected to draw visitors not only from India but also from other countries where the company has a presence. The two-day event promises attractive sessions like culinary experiences, wellness and personal care sessions, bike trips and tricks sessions and community and bonding sessions, as well as live music performances by top artists. The festival will provide attendees with a chance to participate in motorsports including dirt track racing, stunt shows and flat track challenges. Additionally, the attendees will be able to interact with race champions, riding experts and motorcycling legends.

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS MotoSoul is a mark of the motorcycling spirit. It celebrates the bond between man and machine. Each edition has not only grown in scale but has also deepened this connection among enthusiasts. Our commitment goes beyond just motorcycles; we are devoted to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of riders. As we gear up for TVS MotoSoul 4.0, we are excited to redefine the journey with extraordinary experiences, all wrapped in a vibrant and colourful theme that captures the free-spirited essence of our community. We are confident that our mission to democratise these experiences will lead to one of the most exhilarating celebrations of riders and their journeys at TVS MotoSoul 4.0.”