Bajaj Boxer, Pulsar Electric Motorcycles In The Works!
Bajaj now has a notable presence in India’s electric two-wheeler space, thanks to the Chetak e-scooter. The company seems to have interesting visions and plans for its EV journey ahead. MD Rajiv Bajaj, in a recent interview with CNBC-TV18, revealed key details of the brand’s electric two-wheeler game plan. Bajaj is working on all-electric versions of two of its well-accepted models- the Boxer and the Pulsar. The former is in good demand in markets like Africa, while the latter is popular in India.
Bajaj’s EV Game Plan
When asked about the company’s upcoming electric two-wheeler launches, Rajiv Bajaj says that ‘ a bit of everything’ can be expected- referring to more variants of the existing Chetak, all-new electric motorcycles, and other new electric vehicles, including three-wheeler EVs and other mobility solutions.
Bajaj had exited the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) scooter space long ago. It thus had a fresh start in the electric scooter space. The Chetak, today, packs good value and enjoys strong demand. The manufacturer will now focus on expanding its lineup to capture more price points effectively. Bajaj is also working on a new platform, which is expected to be launched in the third or fourth quarter of the current financial year.
Image: Bajaj Boxer 150
The bossman then talks about the electric motorcycle plans. He says that electric motorcycles, for Bajaj is a segment that sits between the Chetak and the electric three-wheeler range. Bajaj currently has zero presence in this space, and thus will base the journey on two popular nameplates- the Boxer and the Pulsar. Rolling out electric versions of these, the company believes, will give it a good start.
Boxer And Pulsar EVs: More About Them
Representational Image
Two versions of the Bajaj Boxer are on sale in export markets like Africa- the 150 HD and 150 X. The motorcycle is loved for being tough and reliable. The petrol-powered Boxer is a commuter motorcycle, and so will be the EV.
The Pulsar, on the other hand, has always been a sporty bike. It symbolized speed and performance for a long time, among Indian buyers. The EV version will also be a sports motorcycle. In other words, Bajaj will likely explore the electric sports bike segment with the Pulsar EV. Rajiv Bajaj did not, however, talk about the powertrain details or the specifications that are to be expected on these motorcycles.
When asked about the possible launch timelines, he made it clear that it will take time before these electric motorcycles make their respective debuts. The folks at Bajaj aren’t rushed. “We’ve just started work. It will take some time, but we want to do it right,” said Rajiv Bajaj. He also added that the new Chetak variants may have greater traction than these motorcycles, ‘for logical reasons’.
The company has now placed it focus on expanding the Chetak lineup in both domestic and international markets. This, we think, could be a reason why they aren’t being aggressive with the development of the e-motorcycles.
Another reason is the availability of rare-earth magnets. Rajiv Bajaj has admitted that there is some constraint on this front. And finally, the company would like to walk slowly along the learning curve and come up with a no-nonsense electric motorcycle. It will try to perfect the product, before scaling it up, just like how it did with the Chetak.
Bottomline
The all-electric Chetak did good justice to the original Bajaj Chetak scooter, with its form and packaging. We wish Bajaj Auto does something similar with the Boxer and Pulsar as well. Both these are iconic nameplates. Staying true to the respective legacies will be critical in deciding the fate of these electric motorcycles.