Hero Splendor Electric Conversion: Know price, range, RTO rules and complete cost

Hero Splendor is the country’s best selling and popular motorcycle. People buy it a lot, but unfortunately the electric version of this bike is not yet available in the market. In such a situation, the question arises whether Splendor can be made electric? The answer is: Yes. The petrol Hero Splendor can be converted into an electric avatar.

The trend of converting old two-wheelers into electric ones (EV retrofitting) is increasing in India. Splendor is considered to be the most preferred bike for this transformation due to its strength and light weight. Many startups have made special plans for this ‘RTO-Approved’ Conversion kits have also been launched in the market. Let us know what are the rules regarding this and how much will it cost?

How does an electric kit work?

From the petrol engined Splendor, its engine, gearbox, chain and silencer are removed. In its place, a BLDC hub motor, lithium-ion battery pack, controller and battery indicator are installed. There is no need of gear in it, it runs directly from the accelerator.

What are the government rules? (RTO Rules)

To convert any petrol bike into electric, it is mandatory for you to follow the rules of the Government of India, which are as follows-

1. RTO Approved Kit: Any kit cannot be installed, must be certified by ICAT or ARAI.
2. Change in Registration: After getting the kit installed, you will have to get the RC of your bike changed.
3. Insurance: After changing the engine, you will have to update the new policy document.

How much will it cost?

The cost of making the Splendor electric mainly depends on the capacity (range) of the battery. According to the kits available in the market, the average cost is as follows-

• Conversion kit price: ₹35,000 to ₹45,000 (motor, controller and fittings).
• Battery pack: ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 (depending on battery life and range).
• Total estimated cost: Between ₹80,000 to ₹1,00,000.

Performance and range

If you install a good quality 2.5kWh to 3kWh battery, then the Splendor can give a range of about 80 to 120 kilometers on a single charge. Its top speed can be up to 65-75 km/hour.

Is this beneficial?

Today petrol prices are above ₹95. The cost of running Electric Splendor is only 15 to 20 paise per kilometer. However, the initial cost of conversion is more than ₹80,000, which is close to the price of a new electric bike. You can also sell the engine and other parts for Rs 15-20 thousand.

Our advice: If the condition of your Splendor (chassis and tyres) is very good and its engine is damaged or the validity of the vehicle is about to end, then electric conversion is a great option. But get only certified kit installed at the time of conversion, so that along with safety, legal complications can be avoided.