As rivals accelerate their EV plans, Rakesh Sharma says Bajaj Auto won't be left behind. Royal Enfield is ramping up its global e-bike portfolio, while Ultraviolette, Revolt, and Oben chase early-mover advantage in India.
08 Nov 2025 | 4341 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa & Ketan Thakkar
Bajaj Auto has confirmed that it is deep into developing an all-new electric motorcycle platform as part of what Executive Director Rakesh Sharma described as a "vigorous R&D push." The programme, being built entirely in-house, will span multiple use cases — from entry-level commuters to high-performance motorcycles — marking the ...
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Bajaj Auto has confirmed that it is deep into developing an all-new electric motorcycle platform as part of what Executive Director Rakesh Sharma described as a "vigorous R&D push." The programme, being built entirely in-house, will span multiple use cases — from entry-level commuters to high-performance motorcycles — marking the next stage in the company's EV strategy.
The move comes as competition in the electric two-wheeler space intensifies. Royal Enfield recently unveiled its second electric prototype at the EICMA 2025 show in Milan, while startups such as Ultraviolette, Revolt, and Oben are pushing to gain early ground. Bajaj's entry signals that the next phase of India's EV race will be fought in the motorcycle segment, not just among scooters.
Speaking during the company's Q2 FY26 earnings call, Sharma told analysts Bajaj has a "vigorous R&D effort" underway focused on multiple use cases for electric motorcycles, ranging from entry-level commuters to high-end performance models.
"There are some use cases, both in the entry-level and high-end sporting space in India and globally," Sharma said. "But these are very, very difficult to predict. Still, we are in this game."
While acknowledging that the category is yet to scale up meaningfully, Sharma stressed that Bajaj Auto intends to be ready for the inflection point rather than risk being left behind.
"We are very clear that we must have options which serve these use cases," he said. "Nobody can say with certainty that it will be a bullseye or not. But I think there is a greater loss from missing out on an opportunity than investing in something that doesn't realise."
He emphasised that the company's electric motorcycle programme is being developed entirely in-house, leveraging the engineering base that powers its ICE motorcycle lines and the learnings from Chetak Technology Ltd (CTL), the arm that has successfully revived Bajaj's electric scooter business.
Strategic Readiness Over Speed
Sharma's comments come at a time when the industry's focus is gradually shifting from electric scooters to motorcycles, a segment expected to define the next phase of India's EV adoption. However, unlike the scooter space — where Bajaj's Chetak recently reclaimed the top spot on the Vahan retail charts — the electric motorcycle market remains nascent.
According to industry estimates, e-motorcycles currently account for less than 1% of total EV two-wheeler sales in India, constrained by high battery costs, limited range, and an absence of affordable mid-performance offerings.
As competitors ramp up their EV efforts, Bajaj Auto is intent on staying in the race. Established rival Royal Enfield is developing electric motorcycles under the new "Flying Flea" sub-brand, while startups such as Ultraviolette, Revolt, and Oben are carving out space in India's EV motorcycle segment.
Industry analysts say Bajaj's strengths lie in its scale, supply-chain depth, and flexible platforms — aided by partnerships with KTM and Triumph — which could fast-track its readiness for the electric motorcycle era.
"There's a greater loss from missing out than from trying and learning," Sharma reiterated, underscoring Bajaj's readiness to invest in long-cycle R&D rather than wait for certainty.
The initiative complements Bajaj Auto's broader EV roadmap — which includes expanding the Chetak portfolio, new three-wheeler EVs, and export-focused small-format electrics — as the company seeks to strengthen its position across the clean mobility value chain.
For Bajaj, the electric motorcycle push is not a pivot but an evolution — a calculated bet that ensures it remains in the race when the category finally takes off.
"We have a vigorous R&D effort going on for the development of electric motorcycles," Sharma concluded. "It's about being prepared for what's next, not just reacting to what's now."