Hero MotoCorp targets 2027 debut for its first electric motorcycles
Hero MotoCorp is developing commuter and performance electric motorcycles under its VIDA-led EV push, including Project VxZ with Zero Motorcycles. The planned 2027 rollout comes ahead of Delhi’s proposed restriction on new ICE two-wheeler sales from April 2028.
The development
Hero MotoCorp plans to launch electric motorcycles from 2027 under its VIDA-led EV push, ahead of Delhi's proposed 2028 ICE two-wheeler sales ban. It is developing commuter and performance platforms, including Project VxZ with Zero Motorcycles.
The numbers
- First electric motorcycles planned from 2027
- Delhi proposes banning ICE two-wheeler sales from April 2028
- Bajaj Auto plans electric motorcycle launch in FY28
- Hero April-June revenue rose 35% to ₹13,126 crore
- Hero April-June net profit fell 17% to ₹1,417 crore
- Hero shares rose 3.1%; Nifty Auto rose 1.6%
- India electric two-wheeler sales rose 22% to 1.4 million units
- Electric two-wheeler penetration was 6.5%
Why it matters to operators and investors
The Zero Motorcycles-linked Project VxZ signals that Hero may use partnerships to accelerate electric motorcycle technology, creating potential opportunities around batteries, powertrains, charging and dealer ecosystems.
What to watch next
- Final Delhi notification, enforcement design and exemptions for new ICE two-wheeler registrations from April 2028.
- Hero disclosure of Project VxZ specifications, battery format, range, pricing band and localization level.
- Launch timing and price moves from Bajaj, TVS, Ola, Ather and other electric-motorcycle entrants.
- VIDA sales momentum, dealer expansion and evidence that Hero can convert its ICE motorcycle dealer network to EV service.
- Battery-cell prices, domestic supply agreements, financing rates and insurance premiums for electric motorcycles.
- Adoption of comparable ICE restrictions, low-emission zones or EV incentives in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and other high-volume two-wheeler markets.
- Use the Zero Motorcycles collaboration to localize an electric-motorcycle platform, powertrain components and software rather than relying on imported premium technology.
- Position initial models in distinct commuter and performance tiers to avoid direct overlap with VIDA scooters while using shared battery, electronics and dealer-service infrastructure.
- Expand VIDA-capable dealer coverage, technician training, battery diagnostics and financing programs before launch to reduce ownership-risk concerns.
- Secure battery cells, motors, controllers and charging partnerships early, as a simultaneous motorcycle push by Bajaj, Ola, TVS and Ather could tighten domestic component capacity.
- Target corporate fleets, delivery-adjacent use cases and urban professionals with total-cost-of-ownership offers, exchange schemes and assured buyback/residual-value programs.
The counter-case
A 2027 launch target is distant enough that it may be more strategic signaling than a commercially de-risked product plan. Electric motorcycles face harder economics than scooters: larger batteries raise upfront prices, real-world range drops at highway speeds, charging remains inconvenient for riders without home access, and performance expectations are higher. Hero could also be late to a market where Bajaj, TVS, Ola and startups have already built EV brand recognition, while the Zero partnership may add technology complexity, cost and integration risk rather than create a mass-market advantage.