Hero MotoCorp to launch its first EV in July

Hero MotoCorp has joined the electric vehicle bandwagon by floating a new brand — Vida — for its emerging mobility solutions and upcoming electric vehicles. The maiden product under the ‘Vida’ brand will be rolled out at the ‘green’ manufacturing facility of the company in Chittoor. The homegrown two-wheeler manufacturer has also revealed that the dispatches to customers will begin later in 2022. 

Hero MotoCorp also announced that will be officially unveiling its first electric vehicle on July 1, 2022, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Dr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman Emeritus of Hero MotoCorp. Even though the company is tightlipped about the segment and price points, sources have revealed that the first product will be an e-scooter, which is being jointly developed by its R&D centres in India and Germany. 

With the launch of its product lines next year, Hero MotoCorp will be joining the likes of other two-wheeler OEMs like TVS, Bajaj Auto, etc., which have already forayed into electric vehicles. Apart from traditional OEMs, Ola Electric, Ather Energy (backed by Hero MotoCorp), Bounce, Okinawa, etc., are some of the startups which are selling electric two-wheelers in India. 

The announcement comes at a time when Hero MotoCorp was involved in a legal tussle with Naveen Munjal-led Hero Electric over the usage of the ‘Hero’ brand name in the EV segment.  

While introducing the Vida brand on March 3, 2022 in Dubai, Munjal revealed, “Vida means life, and the brand’s sole purpose is to create a positive impact on the world and move us all forward in meaningful ways. 

“With the creation of ‘Vida’ we will offer everyone the opportunity to thrive, grow and live better while continuing to move the way they want. I will lead this initiative from the front,” he added.