Hero Splendor Electric: The Splendor Electric represents far more than just another entry in India’s growing electric two-wheeler segment.
For Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume, this model carries immense strategic importance as the company navigates the industry’s most significant technological transition in a century.
Having built its empire on reliable, affordable internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles, Hero faces the classic innovator’s dilemma – how to embrace disruptive technology without undermining its core business.
The decision to electrify the Splendor, the company’s bestselling model and a symbol of its identity, signals Hero’s commitment to leading rather than following India’s electric mobility revolution.
This approach contrasts with many legacy manufacturers who typically introduce electric vehicles under new sub-brands to insulate their core products from association with emerging technology.
By leveraging the immense brand equity of the Splendor name, Hero aims to accelerate mainstream acceptance of electric motorcycles among India’s vast middle class – the demographic that has consistently chosen the original Splendor for its perfect combination of affordability, reliability, and efficiency.
Hero Splendor Electric: Design Philosophy- Familiar Yet Forward-Looking
The Splendor Electric strikes a delicate balance between heritage and innovation in its design approach.
The silhouette maintains the classic commuter proportions that have defined the Splendor for decades – a straightforward, upright riding position, comfortable seat, and practical dimensions suited to navigating congested urban environments.
However, closer inspection reveals numerous contemporary elements that communicate the motorcycle’s electric heart.
The traditional fuel tank area has been repurposed as a storage compartment for personal items, while subtly incorporating cooling vents for the battery management system.
The side panels feature distinctive “Electric” badging with blue accents – the universally recognized signifier of electrification in the automotive world.
The lighting system is fully LED throughout, with a distinctive daytime running light signature that improves visibility while creating a recognizable face.
The instrumentation combines a traditional analog speedometer with a modern digital display providing essential information including battery status, range estimation, and riding mode indicators.
Available in five colors including the classic Hero Splendor red and black combination alongside contemporary options like Electric Blue and Silver Frost, the motorcycle maintains visual continuity with its ICE predecessor while signaling its technological advancement through subtle design cues.
Powertrain Technology: Practical Electrification
Rather than pursuing headline-grabbing performance figures, Hero has focused on developing an electric powertrain that replicates the practical virtues of the original Splendor while introducing the inherent benefits of electric propulsion.
The heart of the system is a mid-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 8.5 kW (approximately 11.4 horsepower) of peak power and 40 Nm of torque – modest figures on paper but actually representing a performance increase over the standard Splendor’s 7.9 horsepower and 8.05 Nm.
More significant than the numerical specifications is the electric motor’s torque delivery characteristics, with maximum torque available from a standstill – creating more responsive acceleration from traffic lights and when navigating congested urban environments.
The motor connects to the rear wheel through a single-speed reduction gear rather than the conventional multi-speed transmission, simplifying the drivetrain while reducing maintenance requirements.
Power comes from a 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack developed in collaboration with Taiwan’s Gogoro, with whom Hero established a strategic partnership in 2021.
The battery utilizes NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) chemistry chosen for its optimal balance of energy density, cost, and longevity in India’s diverse and often challenging climate conditions.
The powertrain offers three distinct riding modes: Eco prioritizes maximum range through reduced power output and regenerative braking;
City balances performance and efficiency for everyday urban commuting; and Power delivers the motor’s full capabilities for situations requiring additional acceleration or when carrying a passenger.
Range and Charging: Addressing the Practical Reality
Understanding that range anxiety represents the primary barrier to electric vehicle adoption, Hero has prioritized practical usability in the Splendor Electric’s energy management system.
The motorcycle delivers a certified range of 110 kilometers in Eco mode and approximately 85 kilometers in City mode under standardized testing conditions – sufficient for several days of typical urban commuting given the average Indian motorcycle user travels approximately 25-30 kilometers daily.
The charging strategy employs a pragmatic dual approach addressing India’s unique infrastructure challenges.
A conventional charging port allows owners to connect the motorcycle to any standard 5-amp domestic power outlet, achieving a full charge in approximately 4.5 hours – practical for overnight charging at home.
For public infrastructure, the Splendor Electric incorporates a CCS (Combined Charging System) port compatible with fast-charging stations, allowing an 80% charge in approximately 40 minutes.
Most significantly, Hero has introduced a pioneering battery subscription program called “Splendor Power+” that allows customers to purchase the motorcycle without the battery (reducing upfront cost by approximately 40%) and instead pay a monthly subscription fee that includes unlimited battery swaps at participating exchange stations.
This innovative approach addresses two fundamental barriers to electric vehicle adoption in developing markets – the higher initial purchase price and concerns about battery degradation over time.
Chassis and Dynamics: Familiar Territory
The Splendor Electric utilizes a conventional tubular steel frame developed specifically to accommodate the battery pack and electric motor while maintaining the handling characteristics that have made the original Splendor so accessible to riders of all experience levels.
The motorcycle’s center of gravity has actually been lowered compared to the ICE version, enhancing stability and maneuverability despite a modest 8kg weight increase.
Suspension components remain straightforward and robust, with telescopic forks offering 110mm of travel at the front and twin shock absorbers with 80mm of travel at the rear.
This proven configuration prioritizes ride comfort over sporty handling – appropriate for a motorcycle designed primarily for daily urban transportation rather than recreational riding.
Braking performance benefits from the electric powertrain, with a 240mm disc brake at the front and a 130mm drum at the rear enhanced by a combined braking system that distributes force appropriately between both wheels when the rear brake is applied.
The system also incorporates regenerative braking that recovers energy during deceleration, extending range while reducing brake pad wear.
Practical Features: Everyday Utility
Beyond its electric powertrain, the Splendor Electric introduces numerous practical features that enhance its utility as a daily transportation solution.
The repurposed fuel tank area provides approximately 5 liters of storage space – sufficient for small personal items or essential tools. A USB charging port allows riders to keep mobile devices powered during journeys.
The digital display incorporates Bluetooth connectivity linking to Hero’s smartphone application, providing features including remote battery status monitoring, theft detection alerts, and ride statistics tracking.
Navigation instructions can be displayed through a simplified arrow-based system that avoids distracting complexity while providing essential directional guidance.
Perhaps most significantly for the Indian market, where motorcycles often serve as family transportation, the Splendor Electric maintains the robust passenger accommodations of its predecessor, with a comfortable pillion seat, sturdy grab handles, and footpegs positioned for natural ergonomics.
Market Positioning and Ownership Experience
Hero has positioned the Splendor Electric as an affordable entry point to electric mobility, with pricing starting at approximately ₹110,000 (approximately $1,300) for the base variant without battery under the subscription model, or ₹175,000 (approximately $2,100) with battery included – figures that place it competitively against both conventional commuter motorcycles and existing electric two-wheelers in the Indian market.
The ownership experience benefits from Hero’s unparalleled sales and service network spanning over 7,000 touchpoints across India, addressing a crucial advantage the company holds over newer electric vehicle startups with limited physical presence.
Scheduled maintenance requirements are significantly reduced compared to the ICE Splendor, with service intervals extended to 10,000 kilometers instead of the conventional 3,000 kilometers.
The motorcycle comes with a standard 3-year/30,000km warranty on the vehicle and a 5-year/50,000km warranty on the battery pack when purchased outright, with unlimited warranty under the battery subscription program – providing peace of mind regarding the most expensive component.
Hero Splendor Electric: Evolution Rather Than Revolution
The Hero Splendor Electric represents a thoughtfully executed evolution of India’s most iconic motorcycle, maintaining the core values that have made the nameplate successful while embracing zero-emission technology.
Rather than pursuing radical innovation or prioritizing performance metrics, Hero has focused on addressing the practical considerations that will determine electric two-wheeler adoption in the world’s largest motorcycle market – affordability, range, charging convenience, and service support.
This approach reflects Hero’s deep understanding of its customer base – pragmatic commuters who prioritize reliability, efficiency, and value over technological novelty.
By maintaining continuity with the original Splendor’s fundamental character while introducing the inherent benefits of electric propulsion – lower operating costs, reduced maintenance, zero emissions, and silent operation – Hero has created a compelling proposition for mainstream electric motorcycle adoption in India.
As the country’s two-wheeler market begins its gradual transition away from internal combustion engines, the Splendor Electric stands as a significant milestone – not necessarily for its technological innovations, but for democratizing electric mobility through a nameplate that has earned the trust of millions of riders over decades.
In electrifying its most iconic product, Hero MotoCorp has made a powerful statement about its vision for the future while honoring the values that built its success.