Hero electric car a possibility that cannot be ruled out, hints Pawan Munjal

Hero MotoCorp wants to expand business beyond two-wheelers, and its entry into new mobility segments may give our market a Hero electric car someday. That’s what TOI says, citing Pawan Munjal, the Chairman of Hero MotoCorp.

Hero MotoCorp is working on future mobility solutions that includes products other than its traditional two-wheelers, Munjal said after the milestone roll-out of the 100 millionth Hero two-wheeler last week. Speaking further, Munjal said that the next 100 million Hero vehicles would include not only a motorcycle or a scooter or a three-wheeler. Asked if the new Hero models would include a Hero electric car, Munjal said that the company has many options in front of it.

“The way the world is heading in various directions, the possibilities are immense. We can be working in many different areas.”

While there’s no ongoing discussion for a tie-up with another vehicle company, Hero MotoCorp is open to forming a strategic partnership if needed to accomplish its vision for the next 100 million vehicles that could include even an electric car. The auto industry’s shift to electric power and the changing mobility needs could attract many traditional two-wheeler companies and even fleet operators to consider releasing electric cars or electric quadricycles.

Ola Electric, which plans launching the first Ola electric scooter this year, is considering to launch an electric four-wheeler already. In November last year, Bhavish Aggarwal, Founder and Chairman, Ola Electric, revealed that the company wants to launch “small city four-wheelers”, suggesting that an Ola quadricycle could be in the pipeline. Interestingly, Munjal has made a personal investment of $1 million in Ola Electric through the Pawan Munjal Family Trust. A tie-up between Hero MotoCorp and Ola Electric on new mobility products wouldn’t surprise us.

In the near future, Hero MotoCorp plans to launch the Hero eMaestro as its first electric vehicle between April this year and March next year. It has shown the Hero Quark 1 concept, a product of the Hero Hatch Modular Mobility project, that is a convergence of a two-wheeler and a three-wheeler.

Pictured is the Icona Nucleus concept showcased at Auto Expo 2020 and is for representation.