Hero Electric launches 3 scooters

Munjals-promoted Hero Electric launched on Tuesday three electric scooters priced between Rs 17,900 and Rs 32,796.

The company is also planning to roll out three more products during the next financial year.

"We are very optimistic about all three products we have launched today," Hero Electric managing director Naveen Munjal told reporters at the 10th Auto Expo here. The three new scooters -- E-sprint, Zippy and Optima Plus -- are priced at Rs 32,470, Rs 17,900 and Rs 32,796, respectively.

"We are aiming at selling 45,000 units in 2010-11, while we should close this fiscal at 35,000 units," Munjal said.

The company will start exporting to Latin America, Canada and other SAARC countries from the next financial year, in addition to the US, where it is already doing so, he added. The $4.8-billion Hero Group company also plans to increase its dealership network to 350 by 2010 end across the country from 255 at present.

The company has recently tied up with a Canadian firm Electro Vaya to produce Li-ion batteries in the country from a greenfield facility.

"In the next 4-5 weeks, we will sign a definitive agreement. We are scouting for land to set up the facility," Munjal said without divulging the possible investment in the project.

Besides, the company is talking to the Delhi government and some power companies to set up charging stations in the capital for its electric scooters.

Image: Pawan Munjal, managing director of Hero Honda Motors, poses inside Hero Honda's plant in Haridwar. | Photograph: Tanushree Punwani/Reuters