Ahmedabad: Electrotherm (India) Ltd, a pioneer in battery-powered two-wheelers in the country, has introduced a new model called YoSpeed, India''s first vehicle in the 750-watt category approved by the Automotive Regulatory Authority of India (ARAI).

Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover launched the two-wheeler. He also features in the TV commercial for the product, which has been filmed by Sanjay Gadhvi, director of Bollywood blockbuster Dhoom-2.

The two-wheeler runs on a 33AH battery, and has a 750 watts motor, which allows it to carry two persons. It can run for 500 km at the comparative cost of one litre of petrol (Rs50), according to Shailesh Bhandari, managing director, Electrotherm.

YoSpeed is available for Rs35,466 (ex-showroom Ahmedabad), and has a maximum speed of 45 kmph for a single rider. It will be marketed across the country through the company''s 200 exclusive showrooms. The bike will compete with the regular petrol-run two-wheelers in the 75cc - 100cc segment. Owners will need to obtain a licence and registration from the RTO.

According to the company, the bike has an indigenisation level of 85 per cent. Its battery weighs 41kgs, and is chargeable in six to eight hours with a power consumption of 1.6 units. On a single charge, it can carry one person for a distance of 80km, and two persons for 65km.

Indus Elec-Trans, a division of Electrotherm, had launched battery powered two-wheelers last year, under the brand name "Yobykes". These are manufactured at its Kutch plant, which has an installed capacity of 2.88 lakh vehicles per annum.
also see : Other Automotive reports