Revealed several months ago in its final version, the Ultraviolet F77 has just begun its final series of tests. Deliveries expected by the end of 2022.
Faced with the impetus of the government which wishes to gradually banish thermal vehicles, the electric two-wheeler is regarding to make its revolution. While the market is still in its infancy, many start-ups are positioning themselves in the segment with an offer that is both unprecedented and 100% electric. This is the case of Ultraviolette Automotive and its F77.
Presented in concept form in 2018 and then in its final version in 2019, the new Indian electric motorcycle has never been so close to launch. A few days ago, the manufacturer began the final tests of its machine on the runways of the TAAL aerodrome, in the state of Tamil Nadu. A final step before the first deliveries, expected at the very end of the year.
Up to 150 km/h
For its first electric motorcycle, Ultraviolette has chosen muscular characteristics. Without going hunting for Zero Motorcycles or Energica models in the field, the manufacturer assimilates the performance of its first model to that of an equivalent 400 or 500 cm³ thermal model. Powered by a 27 kW (36 hp) electric motor, the Ultraviolette F77 promises acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 150 km/h. In use, three driving modes are offered: Eco, Sport and Insane, a nod to Tesla’s “Ludicrous” mode.
Powered by three battery packs, the F77 announces 130 to 150 km of autonomy with a charge. On its technical sheet, the manufacturer announces 4.2 kWh of capacity but we do not know if this corresponds to a single pack or to the combination of the three (given the announced performance, we are leaning towards the first option!). Equipped with a 1 kW on-board charger, Ultraviolette’s electric motorcycle takes 5 hours to fully recharge. For those in a hurry, a second 3 kW charger is available as an option. External, it limits the charging time to around 1h30. Added to this is a CCS combo port for DC fast charging.
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More than 65,000 reservations
On its site, Ultraviolette announces that it has received more than 65,000 pre-orders worldwide. A figure that remains to be taken with caution since the manufacturer has not requested any security deposit. In terms of prices, the F77 should exceed 350,000 rupees, or around 4,400 euros. A rate that seems affordable for Europe but remains high in India where the average salary does not exceed €400 per month.
From the battery to the engine, including the chassis and the fairing, Ultraviolette will manufacture and assemble all the components in a factory located in Bangalore, in the south of the country. For 2023, the company is betting on 12,000 to 15,000 deliveries, while specifying that it is already in a position to increase its production capacities according to market demand. A figure which seems colossal but which remains to be put into perspective with the size of the Indian market where more than 20 million motorcycles are sold each year.
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