Hero MotoCorp has taken a positive stance, something that could change the way two-wheelers are perceived in India. India’s most popular bike the Hero Splendor has finally made its debut in the electric vehicle (EV) space.
Named the Hero Splendor Electric Bike, this game changer has in store not just truckloads of nostalgia and trust, but also some killer looking figures, like that certified 280 KM range which is promised to blow the petrol bikes off their feet.
With increasing clamour for cleaner, more efficient means of conveyance, Hero’s decision to introduce an electric version of its most popular motorcycle could not have been better timed. Let’s take you through what makes the new Splendor Electric a game-changer in the real sense.
A Legendary Comeback, Electrified
The Hero Splendor is (has been) a household name for years. It’s known for its unparalleled reliability, mileage and low maintenance; it has served as the workhorse of everyday travel for millions of Indians. Now, Hero has resurrected this legend by giving it full electric power but retaining its true spirit.
The classic Splendor design now comes in a new electric avatar with a modern twist. It retains the look of that same reliable commuter bike with a subtle nudge forwards of the 21st century with EV detailing, LED headlamp and a more contemporary finish.
280 KM Certified Range
The most amazing feature of the Hero Splendor Electric is its huge 280 KM certified range per charge. This is well beyond most electric scooters or bikes now in the market, which often fail to cross even 150-180 KM.
With this range number, the Splendor Electric is not only fit for short city rides but also emerges as a serious contender for long daily commutes, even for inter-city travel. It goes straight at one of the biggest pain points for EV buyers, range anxiety, and totally crushes it.
This high travel range provides an impressive mileage and is made possible due to Hero’s innovative advanced lithium-ion battery technology, efficient motor & high acceleration performance, intelligent motor management, and smart electronic controller – that optimizes battery power and energy consumption based on riding behavior.
Design That Feels Familiar Yet Fresh
Hero Splendor Electric keeps its standard commuter styling light, small and manageable. But little tweaks here make it feel like a smartly contemporary electric. The old-school gas tank now serves as a shroud for the inner EV parts. The instrument cluster is now all digital, and displays real-time battery percentage, riding mode and distance-to-empty.
Frame is minutely changed to make room for the battery pack to be installed soundly without loss of clearance or ride stability. Riders who have been using petrol Splendor will instantly relate to this style and make the ease of transition from petrol to electric complete.
Smooth Electric Performance
The Hero Splendor Electric gets a brushless DC motor (BLDC) that is optimized for a smooth and silent run. It doesn’t want to be a race bike, but the torque is right now and instant, just what you want around town and during your daily office commute.
The pickup is instant and the bike can easily reach cruising speeds of 80 kmph, pretty impressive by Indian road standards. Three riding modes – Eco, Normal and Power – offer the rider control to range between speed and economy. Choose Eco mode when you want to maximise the 280 KM range, but kick it into Power when you need to zip around.
Charging Made Easy
With the bike also comes a quick charging tool that can add 80 percent to the battery in around 2.5 hours. To completely charge takes around 4.5 hours on a typical home charger. Hero is also working on public fast charging stations at prime locations in leading cities, so users never run out of juice while on the move.
Word around the block is that the battery pack is removable, which means you can charge it inside at a little juice bar a feature that is likely ideal for apartment and office drones.
Features That Add Real Value
In addition to performance and range, Hero hasn’t skimped on features. The Splendor Electric offers :-
- Digital Instrument Cluster with connected mobile features
- Geo-fencing and anti-theft alerts
- Real time location tracking with Find My Bike and ride history tracking from the Hero EV app
- Regenerative braking that recharges the battery during braking
- Side stand sensor with engine cut-off and walk assist mode for parking ease.
These functionalities don’t just modernize the bike but make the bike safer and easier to use.
Affordable Maintenance and Long-Term Savings
One of the greatest of benefits of switching to electric is the huge reduction in running costs. The Splendor Electric is expected to cost 10–15 paise per kilometer, while petrol bikes cost ₹2–3 per kilometer. In the long run, that amounts to massive savings.
What’s more, with just so few moving parts, and being an electric vehicle, the bike needs minimal maintenance. No oil changes, clutch or gear changes and I could count engine services on the fingers of one hand. That makes the Splendor Electric not only cost-effective, but very cost-effective in the long run.
Price and Availability
Besides, Hero has aggressively priced the Splendor Electric to lure the mass market. It is likely to carry a starting ex-showroom price of ₹1.10 lakh and it may have its effective price slashed more after FAME 2 subsidies and state-EV incentives are in place.
The bike is only being launched in metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai as of now, but will soon be available in other Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in the coming months. Online and through Hero dealerships, the bookings for new XPulse 200T have commenced and delivery will start in few weeks.
Conclusion
The Hero Splendor Electric Bike A game changer in the Indian commuter segment. With a claimed range of 280 KM, a recognizable look, updated features, and the good old Hero badge, it seems to be all set to become the king of the budget electric bike segment.
And while rivals are playing catch-up, Hero has hit jackpot by adding electricity to the Splendor, a brand that already receives loyalty across generations. If you want to drop fossils for electric without the compromise of reliability, performance and mileage given the conditions, the Hero Splendor Electric is unarguably among the most intelligent decisions you are going to make in 2025.
