Hero Electric has revealed India’s first electric trike at Auto Expo 2020. The three-wheeler is called the AE-3 and comes equipped with a decent feature list and claimed performance numbers. The trike was showcased along with an electric scooter and an e-bike that boast of some decent performance numbers. Before this, Hero Electric’s line-up only consisted of affordable, low-performance offerings that didn’t offer serious performance.
Speaking of performance, the AE-3 electric trike is powered by a 3.0kW motor that is said to give it a claimed top speed of 80kph and a range of 100km. The Lithium-ion 48V/2.4kWh battery it uses has a claimed charge time of 5hr.
The trike is equipped with a self-standing stability feature, thanks to the on-board gyroscope. In addition to this, it has a ‘Auto balance park switch’ which we assume is a button that gives the scooter the ability to balance itself while it's parked. The scooter also has a reverse assist – which will be quite useful, as the scooter has a claimed weight of 140kg. Braking is taken care of by two disc brakes at the front and a single disc brake at the rear.
Moreover, the electric trike comes equipped with a fully digital instrument console that offers mobile connectivity, GPS, real-time tracking and more. The scooter will also most certainly display basic information like the remaining range and charge, among other things.
Hero has also told us that the AE-3 electric trike will be registered as a conventional electric two-wheeler.
Don’t expect this electric trike to be as affordable as Hero Electric’s other models when it hits the market. Given the complicated three-wheeler set-up and serious performance numbers, one can expect a price tag between Rs 1.5-2 lakh.
It is worth bearing in mind that Hero Electric does not design and develop its own products in house and that these vehicles are sourced from international suppliers. This was the case with nearly all the electric two wheelers on display at the 2020 Auto Expo.
Suraj Sreekumar
Stephen Raj Antony
Dinshaw Magol
