As Royal Enfield gears up to launch its first electric motorcycle in early next year. The company introduced its new Flying Flea brand at EICMA 2024 that will cater to all its future electric motorcycles. The first model from the Flying Flea range is called the C6 which made its debut in November last year in Milan, Italy followed by its maiden public appearance in India earlier in February this year.
At the same time, Royal Enfield is also testing the fully-electric Himalayan which incidentally was the first electric motorcycle concept showcased by the Chennai-based bikemaker a couple of years ago. A test mule of the battery-powered Himalayan was spied once again, in the Himalayas enroute to Ladakh.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Electric in Ladakh
It’s not the first time that the Himalayan Electric has been spotted in Ladakh. Besides the rough terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, a critical challenge of riding an EV in Ladakh is its remote demography which is devoid of a dedicated charging infrastructure. The latest spy shots reveal a test prototype of the Himalayan EV getting charged via charging stations as well mobile chargers on wheels running on diesel generators.
The spy images have been sourced from a video posted by er.janakbhardwaj on Instagram. In this case, the generator was housed inside a Force Traveller. There appear to be a larger number of test mules from Royal Enfield which prove the existing charging infrastructure insufficient. Hence, the need for mobile chargers. This also signifies the fact that India’s electric charging infrastructure is still not fully evolved.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Electric details spotted
The design emphasizes functionality over aesthetics. A single-piece seat, shaped to resemble a fuel tank, draws inspiration from the HIM-E concept. Instead of a front beak, the motorcycle features a tall windscreen, while the all-LED lighting setup includes projector headlights and tail lamps integrated with rear turn indicators.
On the handlebar, both brake fluid reservoirs are visible, though only one test unit sported a braced handlebar with a Renthal brace pad. The suspension setup consists of fully adjustable USD telescopic front forks paired with a fully adjustable Öhlins rear mono-shock. Adding to its rally-inspired character, the test models were equipped with a sophisticated 7-inch ECUMASTER dashboard, mounted in a tower-style layout similar to rally bikes.
The battery and motor seem to serve as stressed members within the chassis. At the front, aluminium luggage mounts are provided, resembling those seen on the Himalayan 411 and 450. Aluminium heel plates are also in place, while the Himalayan Electric comes equipped with off-road foot pegs. Its aluminium battery case carries intricate detailing, likely inspired by the topography of the Himalayan landscape.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Electric still a test bed
Royal Enfield hasn’t revealed an official launch timeline for the Himalayan Electric. The company previously stated that the prototype of the electric adventure tourer is being utilised as a benchmark testing for other upcoming electric motorcycles from the company. This can be confirmed on taking a closer look at the spy shots where the “Test Bed” is clearly visble on the side panels.
