By S.M. Boothem

Kinetic’s famous moped, the Luna, was launched in 1972 and was an instant success at that time, clocking good numbers for its easy-to-use, low-cost maintenance, and serving as an ideal vehicle for commuting within the city. The Luna was even exported to many countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the United States. At the time, the Chairman of Kinetic Group, Dr Arun Firodia’s vision was to provide economically viable commuting at a reasonable price.

After the success of Luna, the company formed a joint venture with Honda Motor and introduced Kinetic Honda scooters with electric start and gearless transmission. This was another successful design that was well-received by customers. Eventually, the company ceased two-wheeler manufacturing and started to concentrate on the components business for both domestic and international markets.

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain momentum in India, Kinetic, under its new brand identity – Kinetic Green – launched E-Luna, an electric motorcycle carrying the nostalgic namesake, to cater to commuters in India. Priced at R69,990, it is the most affordable high-speed EV two-wheeler with a vision to make e-mobility accessible and affordable to all. The E-Luna was launched by Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Transport and Highways, Government of India, along with Dr Arun Firodia and Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green.

“The electric revolution in the automotive industry is gaining momentum, and Kinetic Green’s E-Luna, with its versatile features and affordability, matches the government’s vision for sustainable transportation. What catches my attention about the E-Luna is not merely the fact that it reduces the carbon footprint, but along with Tier 1 cities, the E-Luna is also aimed at providing e-mobility for Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas of India. This is where the real Bharat is! It is a vehicle that encourages geographical inclusivity. This is the inclusivity that will see Bharat grow, expand, and become a leading economic superpower in the world. With products like this, we can envision a future where electric mobility is not just a luxury but a practical and affordable choice for everyone,” said Gadkari at the launch.

Pocket-friendly bike

The new E-Luna, a multi-utility electric two-wheeler, comes with advanced technology and features. The E-Luna is also designed and built in such a way as to cater to personal commuting with various applications for small businesses. It is also pocket-friendly at 10 paise per km running cost, noiseless, and emission-free. The chassis makes the E-Luna capable of providing a stable ride over various terrains. Its multi-utility aspect allows it to function not only for personal mobility but also as a ‘business partner’ with a 150 kg payload capacity.

The vehicle also offers many features including an advanced 2.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers a range of 110 km on a single charge. The variants will offer options of 1.7 kWh, 2.0 kWh, and 3.0 kWh battery packs with 150km per charge riding range, empowering customers to choose the E-Luna as per their range and price requirements.

For B2B customers, the company offers fast charging technology and swappable battery options. Other notable features include a combi-braking system, telescopic front suspension, a larger 16-inch wheel size for stability, a USB charging port, three riding modes for optimising range, a detachable rear seat for flexibility, and a side stand sensor for added safety.