Mahindra & Mahindra to ride electric scooter into US

Foraying into the two-wheeler space in the US market, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is planning to launch an electric vehicle in the country this year.

Called GenZe by Mahindra, the company is promoting the vehicle as a smart city transport cycle.

According to the comapny website, GenZe has been conceived in Silicon Valley, California, keeping in mind the city requirement.

Mahindra electric scooter, the GenZe STS, was unveiled at the Santa Monica Altcar Expo held in California last year.

The price of the vehicle is estimated to be around $3000 (Rs 1,80,000).

The GenZe STS delivers a top speed of 48 km/hour and is operated by a 4.5 kg battery that offers a range of 30 miles. Users can replace the battery and install a new one for additional range that would expand the bike's mobility. The single-seater scooter has been conceived as utility vehicle for the consumers.

The vehicle is equipped with weather-proof touchscreen and a bluetooth-enabled control centre that monitors charge status, range, diagnostics and route.

The scooters will be sold directly in California, Florida, Oregon and Virginia and through dealers elsewhere.

The company, however, did not provide any further details on the exact project plans and the possibility of launching the vehicle in India and other markets.

M&M has been in the process of expanding its electric vehicle portfolio. It's electric vehicle arm – Reva – launched e2o last year, sales of which did not pick up as per expectations due to lack of infrastructure and absence of subsidies. The company is also ready with the electric variants of light commercial vehicles -- Gio and Maxximo and sedan Verito.