Brose likely to supply Bajaj Auto with powertrain for Husqvarna EVs

Germany-based Brose, which ranks in the top 40 global automotive suppliers, is bullish on electric mobility worldwide. In early September, Brose will showcase its new drive concepts for electric scooters at the 2021 IAA Mobility trade fair to be held in Munich.

“While 2.2 million battery-powered scooters, mopeds and motorcycles were sold in 2019, sales are expected to increase to over 16 million units by 2030. Brose wants to tap into this growth potential with a new drive for e-scooters,” said Raymond Mutz, Executive Vice-President (Drives) of the Brose Group.

According to Brose, its “compact and lightweight system requires less package space, which has a positive impact on the scooter’s weight. This gives the vehicle an extended range and agile handling. Manufacturers also benefit from a cost-efficient product and have a much easier time expanding their market share thanks to competitive pricing.”

“In the future, we also want to offer the electric drive for retrofitting existing vehicles. By the same token, we are working on software solutions for battery management,” added Mutz.

What connects the official statement dated July 29 to India is that Brose said, “The company already received its first order from one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers in the world. Beginning in 2022, the supplier will manufacture the motor, vehicle control unit and power electronics in Pune, India.”

While Brose has not specifically mentioned the EV manufacturer in its media communication, it can be surmised that the Indian OEM is most likely Pune-based Bajaj Auto, which manufactures its electric Chetak scooter and is slated to begin manufacturing Husqvarna electric two-wheelers at its Chakan plant in 2022.  

Bajaj Auto to up the ante in EVs  
Bajaj Auto, which is looking to up the ante in the EV space, plans to set up a wholly owned subsidiary to pursue new business opportunities in the EV and hybrid vehicle markets. The subsidiary firm will have an authorised capital of Rs 100 crore. On July 22, in a regulatory filing, the company said: “The wholly owned subsidiary will leverage the growth opportunities in the evolving mobility space and will help the company venture into the manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid vehicles in the 2-wheeler, 3-wheeler and light 4-wheeler categories.”

As is known, Bajaj and Pierer Mobility (which owns the KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas brands) plan to develop a common electric two-wheeler platform on which a series of EVs, in the 4 to 11 kW power range, will be made. These EVs will be manufactured in India, at Bajaj Auto’s plant in Chakan, Pune. As per their estimates, the existing scooter and motorcycle market in Europe, between 50cc and 125cc, will shift to 50 percent electric within the next decade.

In May this year, Husqvarna, which is part of the KTM Group where Bajaj Auto has a 48% stake, revealed the Vektorr e-scooter and E-Pilen e-motorcycle concepts which mark its entry into e-mobility.

The Vektorr electric scooter, aimed squarely at the urban commuter keen on a compact and effective personal transport solution, will deliver a top speed of 45kph and a range of up to 95km. This e-scooter will be powered by a 4kW electric motor, similar to the Bajaj Chetak.

The E-Pilen Concept electric motorcycle, which has a power output of 8 kW (10.8hp) and a range of 100km, targets the urban commuter and leisure rider, with a range that maximises the time between battery charges.

Bajaj Auto, which has launched the premium Chetak e-scooter only in a few cities, will likely retail the Husqvarna Vektorr too albeit it will be costlier than the Bajaj product, which costs Rs 142,620. Bajaj Auto is also setting up a new Rs 650 crore plant in Chakan, which will roll out premium two-wheelers from KTM, Husqvarna and Triumph as also electric two-wheelers. 

Cost-competitiveness and affordability are key requirement for EVs and locally produced Brose e-powertrain components will help Bajaj Auto and Husqvarna achieve their desired targets, both in overseas markets and in India.