Electric Motorcycle Adoption Will Take More Time: Royal Enfield CEO

Royal Enfield expects electric motorcycles to take longer to gain widespread acceptance and plans to expand its Flying Flea electric mobility business gradually, even as customer interest in its first model, the C6, continues to grow.

The Eicher Motors-owned motorcycle maker said enquiries for the Flying Flea C6 have been encouraging in India and international markets, but bookings are converting more slowly as customers take time to experience and understand the new category.

Speaking during Eicher Motors' Q2 FY27 earnings conference call on Friday, Royal Enfield Chief Executive Officer B. Govindarajan said the company was focused on developing the electric motorcycle market rather than pursuing rapid expansion. "We are not in any rush. We wanted to build that properly, one by one," Govindarajan said.

He explained that while electric motorcycles are gaining interest among urban commuters, adoption for wider applications could take longer. Unlike electric scooters, which are largely used for daily commuting, motorcycles serve a broader range of riding requirements.

"So, the adoption, in my personal view, will take more time," he said, adding that there was no clear basis for predicting whether adoption would accelerate within three or five years.

The comments come at a time when India's electric two-wheeler market is recording strong growth, although the transition continues to be driven overwhelmingly by scooters rather than motorcycles.

According to VAHAN data, India’s electric two-wheeler market witnessed strong growth in FY27, with retail registrations rising approximately 70% year-on-year to 13.48 lakh units during April-October 2026, compared with around 7.91 lakh units in the corresponding period of FY26. However, the market has been dominated by electric scooters, with TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto, Ather Energy and Hero MotoCorp’s VIDA collectively accounting for the majority of registrations during the period.

Royal Enfield's assessment suggests that manufacturers entering the electric motorcycle segment may need more time to develop consumer acceptance, particularly among buyers who use motorcycles for longer journeys and recreational riding.

Flying Flea Expands Across India and Europe

Royal Enfield has delivered around 200 Flying Flea C6 electric motorcycles in India since the model's launch in April 2026, according to CEO B. Govindarajan. Customers have collectively ridden more than 1.25 lakh kilometres on the motorcycle.

The C6 was initially introduced in Bengaluru before being expanded to Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai. Its planned retail and service network now covers 40 touchpoints across the four cities, including dedicated stores and outlets operating alongside existing Royal Enfield dealerships. The company now plans to make the electric motorcycle available in Delhi.

Despite encouraging customer interest, Govindarajan said bookings were progressing more slowly as buyers took time to experience and understand the new category. "The enquiries are very good. Bookings are slower because we have to give more experience to them," he said.

Priced at ₹2.79 lakh (ex-showroom), the C6 comes with a 3.91kWh battery and offers a claimed range of 154km. Royal Enfield also offers a Battery-as-a-Service option, reducing the upfront vehicle price to ₹1.99 lakh, with battery subscription charges payable separately.

Meanwhile, the company has also expanded Flying Flea into Europe and the UK, introducing the C6 in Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin and London in September 2026. The rollout is being undertaken in phases, with an emphasis on establishing sales, service and ownership support.

Govindarajan said the initial response in Europe had been encouraging, with bookings recently opened in international markets. However, the company plans to expand gradually while ensuring that the necessary retail and service infrastructure is in place.

New Models to Support Long-Term Growth

Royal Enfield is also expanding its electric motorcycle portfolio. At the EICMA motorcycle exhibition in Milan earlier this month, the company showcased the Flying Flea S6, a scrambler-style electric motorcycle developed on the same platform as the C6.

The S6 is scheduled to be launched in the summer of 2027. The motorcycle is designed for urban riding as well as light off-road applications, expanding Flying Flea's appeal beyond conventional city commuting.

Govindarajan said the company would continue developing additional electric motorcycles as it prepares for the longer-term transition towards electric mobility.

However, he maintained that the pace of expansion would depend on how quickly consumers adopt the technology and how effectively the company can establish the ownership experience.

"But we are in for a long haul. We want to build the category," he said.