Pune, India – Bajaj Auto is on track to introduce its first electric motorcycle by fiscal year 2028, with the iconic Pulsar brand slated for electrification. Chief Financial Officer Dinesh Thapar confirmed the advanced stage of development, indicating that the company's initial focus for these new electric two-wheelers will be on international markets before their domestic debut in India.
Electric Pulsar and Boxer Models Under Development
During a post-earnings media conference call, Thapar stated, "Electric motorcycle is clearly under development and, all things going well, we should start to see some launch happening sometime in FY28." He further elaborated that Bajaj Auto is actively working on electrifying both the Pulsar and Boxer series, two of its highly popular motorcycle lines.
The decision to prioritize export markets for the electric motorcycle rollout aligns with Bajaj Auto's strategic vision. "Our priority on the electric motorcycle will likely be the export markets first, and then the domestic market," Thapar noted, emphasizing that significant product development work is already well underway.
Navigating Evolving EV Policies
This move comes as Bajaj Auto prepares for increasingly stringent electric vehicle adoption policies in key regions, such as Delhi. The national capital's policy, for instance, prohibits the registration of internal combustion engine (ICE) two-wheelers and three-wheelers from April 2028 and January 2027, respectively. Bajaj currently sells approximately 2,000 ICE motorcycles per month in Delhi alone.
While adapting to these policy shifts, Thapar also expressed a perspective on consumer choice. "If the policy were to remain the way it is, we are looking to come in with a comprehensive response between the electric scooters, the electric three-wheelers, the e-ricks, and, in the fullness of time, the electric motorcycle when that comes through for domestic launch," he explained. However, he added, "We should leave some of these choices to the customer, and let the customer decide," suggesting that narrowing options solely to electric vehicles might limit consumer freedom.
The planned electric motorcycle marks Bajaj Auto's strategic entry into a rapidly expanding segment, moving beyond electric scooters to offer battery-powered motorcycles and broaden its electric vehicle portfolio.