New Delhi: The Army is planning to procure 423 electric motorcycles with the intention of using them in peace establishments and units deployed in plains and semi-hilly terrain, as well as different climatic conditions.
A Request for Information (RFI) issued by the defence ministry Monday stated that the electric motorcycle should employ “contemporary technology in all its systems to deliver optimum performance and reliability”.
The weight of the bike, which would seat two soldiers, should not exceed 150 kg and should not be less than 130 kg, it added.
“The overall dimensions and weight should lend itself to suitable handling by one person,” said the RFI, adding that the Army was looking at operating electric bikes which would have a minimum service life of eight years or one lakh kilometres.
The government has specified that it will invite responses for such vehicles only from Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).
The Army further envisages operating the bike in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to over 40 degrees Celsius till 45 degrees Celsius.
The RFI also stated that vendors would have to provide battery chargers along with the electric motorcycles.
Explaining why the Indian Army needed such vehicles, a source in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint: “In case all channels of communications fail in any situation, the despatch rider (DR) comes in handy to physically deliver messages. Motorcycles are the fastest and the handiest way of transportation in case such events take place.”
“Even as the Army is only looking at e-motorcycles at this point in time, there are plans to gradually convert its medium-lift and heavy-lift vehicles to electric vehicles. However, it will take time and will happen gradually over the years,” the source added.
The source said the electric motorcycles would be used for other versatile duties as well.
“Recce is one example. Whenever Army units despatch troops and equipment to a certain area, they carry along with them motorcycles too. This helps the troops to carry out a sweeping review of the area and give a go-ahead to set up equipment,” the source added.
According to the source, each unit in the Army uses and requires motorcycles, depending on the nature of operations. While some units only have one motorcycle, there are units which require more than 20 at any given point.
The Army is also looking at environment-friendly solutions with the adoption of e-motorcycles, the source informed, adding that the force was seeking to replace its 100-150 CC bikes with e-motorcycles in order to do away with internal combustion engines.
For charging, the source said infrastructure will be made available wherever the units are deployed. In case of power-shortage or frequent power cuts, arrangements will be made to charge the bikes at the nearest Army headquarters.
“Electricity should not be much of a problem because in areas where there is no grid-based power, there are generators to cater to the demand,” said the source.
The Army currently operates vehicles such as the Maruti gypsy to transport four to seven personnel from one point to another. These vehicles are also used for reconnaissance purposes in times of peace as well as conflict.
For heavy transport, the 2.5 tonne Ashok Leyland Stallion is the Army’s mainstay.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
Also Read: ‘Land remains key domain of warfare’ — Army chief Gen. Pande on Russia-Ukraine ‘lesson’ for India