Mahindra’s first electric scooter to sell in the US

Mahindra is now stepping into the electric two wheeler market but they’ve chosen the U.S. market instead of home ground. India hasn’t quite received electric scooters well in spite of a number of manufacturers like Hero, Lohia Group etc having offered multiple options. However, the United Sates has developed quite a healthy EV market and Mahindra is looking to cash in with its quirky and utilitarian GenZe electric scooter which will be launched in the coming weeks. The launch will mean that Mahindra is the first Indian manufacturer to sell a two-wheeler in the U.S.

Mahindra’s GenZe has been developed at the Palo Alto facility in California and was conceived in Silicon Valley though rumours suggest that Mahindra’s R&D facility in Pune may be developing something similar. The ‘made-in-U.S.A.’ badge will definitely help the GenZe’s sales as will the $3,000 (Rs 1,80,000) price tag.

The GenZe is powered by a 1.4kW (1.8bhp) motor which will able to achieve 50kmph and have a range of 50km. The motor derives power from a lithium-ion battery pack that includes the battery, controller and the charger, all integrated in one unit.

Riding around on one of these peculiar looking machines will surely turn heads as the GenZe has been designed strictly for utility. The rear seat has been removed in favour of a rather generous luggage space which can carry a medium sized backpack, groceries, laundry, etc. The innovative electric bike even offers a USB connection to charge a tablet or phone. Mahindra has traded the instrument cluster for a 7-inch touch screen which displays everything from speed to GPS navigation, remaining charge and distance to recharge.

The Indian manufacturer had tried its hand in the US market a few years ago with its Scorpio-based commercial vehicles and pick-ups but couldn’t make any headway. Mahindra branded tractors do sell in the country but the introduction of the GenZe will mark the manufacturer’s comeback.