TVS Motor Co took the covers off three concepts – the Zeppelin, Creon and  at the Auto Expo 2018, all of them aimed at seeing production in the future.  

First off is the TVS Zeppelin, a power-cruiser motorcycle concept which boasts of e-boost technology, which is basically an electric motor that gives a power boost in the event of a sudden acceleration. Unlike conventional IC engines, electric two-wheelers do not consume fuel and hence reduce pollution.

According to Vinay Harne, president - NPI, TVS Motor, “We have to meet future emission requirements and the vehicle has to be clean and green.” This has been largely possible with the power boost technology. The Zeppelin delivers 1200 watts of power which is instantaneously available as and when the rider needs it. The battery pack that comes installed gets charged during braking and deceleration; this regenerated energy can be reused during acceleration. Harne also revealed that it is possible to integrate this in the current production bikes.

Commenting on the 1200W premium cruiser, Harne said, “Cruisers is something that people use for rides on long distances but when they are riding in the city, it will help them in city traffic and in overtaking.”

After announcing the 3kW scooter, christened as Creon, Harne said, “It has got 3kW of battery pack and with an 8kW motor, it has got about 80km range with a 3kW pack and a 115kph max speed. Fifty percent battery charging will be done in two hours and that is quite useful.” He explains that 80km will typically constitute three days of use for an average customer, who would be comfortable in charging the Creon once a week.

The third concept is an ethanol-powered product. Speaking about the ethanol e85 model, Harne  said the future involves looking at a substitution for conventional imported fuel while ethanol gets generated locally. It is also the requirement of the country to substitute this expensive import. He further explained, “What we are looking at is instead of all vehicles changing over to 20 percent ethanol. If we take a few models and change them to 85 percent ethanol, then you modify only two vehicles or three vehicles out of our 14 models. If 2-3 of them are changed to 85 percent ethanol, the customers in the region where ethanol is available will be able to buy these vehicles; where ethanol supply or the infrastructure is not available, people will use the regular fuel supply and that is what we are looking at.”

As per media reports, the government is encouraging flex fuels with 85 percent or even 100 percent ethanol and these are getting notified as standards or permitted fuels.