EMotorad, India's electric cycle brand, announced Heritage, bringing the iconic Indian roadster back in an electric avatar. With its upright seat, tall 28-inch wheels and sturdy steel frame, Heritage carries forward the familiar character of the classic bicycle and pairs it with a 350W rear hub motor that provides pedal assistance. The bicycle at the heart of the launch is one generations of Indians recognise, now reimagined for everyday riding with electric support.
The roadster's place in India extends well beyond nostalgia. The All India Cycle Manufacturers' Association (AICMA) reported 57.1 lakh roadster sales in FY2023-24, out of 106.7 lakh bicycles across the categories in its sales table. That is more than half of the reported total, showing the continuing scale of this familiar bicycle format. Heritage gives riders who know the roadster an electric version of that recognisable design, retaining its silhouette and everyday character.
"Some designs become part of a country's identity. The classic roadster holds that place in India, carrying memories that connect generations. With Heritage, we want to give this icon a new chapter, preserving the character people recognise while imagining the place it can hold in their lives tomorrow. India's cycling legacy deserves a future as meaningful as its past," said Kunal Gupta, Co-founder, EMotorad.
Heritage uses a high tensile steel frame, a rigid fork, mechanical disc brakes with auto cut-off and 28” x 1½” tyres. A 36V 350W rear hub motor works with five levels of pedal assist, selected on the C14 LED display, from a light boost on flat roads to stronger support on bridges and slopes. The motor assists up to 25 km/h.
The single-speed drivetrain keeps gear selection out of the riding routine, while the five assist levels give riders a choice of motor support. Heritage retains a rigid fork and steel roadster construction rather than changing to a suspension-led design, keeping its identity rooted in the everyday bicycle.
The upright riding position suits riders between 5'3" and 6'0" and the cycle is rated for loads up to 110 kg, including the rider.
Heritage comes with a 36V 5.2Ah battery for up to 20 km on a charge, or a 7.65Ah battery for up to 35 km. Actual range depends on rider weight, load, road and the pedal assist level. The battery is removable with a key lock, so riders can charge it at home or at work and keep it secure when parked. With the 2A charger, the 5.2Ah battery charges in 2-3 hours and the 7.65Ah battery in 3-4 hours.
The two battery capacities let riders choose between the stated range options according to their regular journeys and charging routine. Both use lithium-ion batteries. Because the battery can be lifted out, charging does not require the entire cycle to be taken to a power socket. Riders select the five support levels through the C14 LED indicator display.
"The future of Indian mobility has room for the designs that have shaped everyday life here. Heritage is our vision of a classic roadster with a continuing place on India's roads, recognisable to those who have ridden it for years and relevant to a new generation. We want the affection for this bicycle to carry forward into the way people ride it next," noted Himanshu Ratnoo, Co-founder, EMotorad.
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