THIS Is Husqvarna’s First Electric Bike, And It’ll Be Made In India!

Here in India, Bajaj already has an electric offering in the form of the very competent Chetak electric scooter, but it’s also deep into the process of developing an all-new electric platform with European partners KTM and Husqvarna. In addition to the electric scooter that the Swedish brand is already working on, we now know that Husqvarna is also developing an E-Pilen electric bike due to launch in March 2022.

A recent investor presentation by Husqvarna's parent company Pierer Mobility shows a low-res sketch of the upcoming bike, along with details that are few in number but large in significance. The E-Pilen will get electric motor options of 4kW and 10kW, which fit neatly into the 3kW to 10kW 48V EV platform being jointly developed by Bajaj, KTM and Husqvarna.

These output figures mean the bike will slot into the learner-legal electric scooter class once it’s exported from Pune to European countries. Yep, you read that right. The E-Pilen is going to be manufactured by Bajaj at one of its production facilities right here in its home city. Series production is slated to begin in March 2022.

As for the bike itself, it seems like an odd mix of Vitpilen and Svartpilen. The footpegs are quite rear-set and the handlebars are low, giving it some serious Vitpilen vibes, but it also gets knuckle guards and what appears to be a tank rack, placing it in Svartpilen territory too. The fluorescent highlights and distinctive “fuel tank” and tail section are pukka Husqvarna, but we’re not too hot on the odd-looking four-spoke wheels.

Holding everything together is a trademark trellis frame. The motor will be mid-mounted, sending its drive to the rear wheel via either a belt or chain. The braced swingarm looks like it might be made from steel tubes too, and it attaches directly to a rather steeply inclined monoshock. Up front, there’s an upside-down fork. The suspension components will almost certainly be designed by WP but manufactured under licence in India by Endurance. We hope to have more information to bring you in the coming weeks and months...