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Royal Enfield has turned this classic World War II motorcycle into a range of next-generation electric vehicles, and could bring electric motorcycles to the mainstream.

Sakege November 5, 2024

Royal Enfield has created a completely new electric vehicle sub-brand
The bike targets 100 miles of range.
An urban suburban and a scrambler are being prepared

Royal Enfield has revealed the company’s “next chapter” with the introduction of its dedicated electric vehicle brand Flying Flea.

Fully backed by the Indian-owned motorcycle company, a brand that has been producing two-wheelers since 1901 and is on track to sell almost a million motorcycles a year, Flying Flea will represent an entire family of electric motorcycles. that offer a “city++” range.

This is equivalent to about 150 kilometers (93 miles) on a single charge, according to Mario Alvisi, Chief Growth Officer of Royal Enfield.

The first battery-powered bikes will arrive in 2026 and will be named Flying Flea C6. It is inspired by the 125cc light motorcycle that was developed for parachuting into conflict zones during World War II.

Royal Enfield Flying Flea

(Image credit: Royal Enfield)

The Flying Flea gained popularity after the war, as huge demand for cheap, low-maintenance transportation peaked.

CEO Siddhartha Lal says the Flying Flea brand is “headed for disruption” and will spawn a family of electric bikes, and the launch event will also include a look at a future scrambler-style S6 model.

The C6, with its single seat and slim tank, features a number of innovative design touches, including a beam fork at the front, a compact battery pack with deep-cut cooling fins and the classic crankcase cover Royal Enfield that protects the belt final drive system. .

It is based on a retro-futuristic vein similar to that of the Maving RM1Sonly with the added shine and shine of a company with years of experience mass producing motorcycles.

Royal Enfield Flying Flea

(Image credit: Royal Enfield)

During a chat with Mario Alvisi after the presentation, the chief growth officer revealed that the company had developed everything in-house, from the engine to the infotainment touchscreen and the software that powers it.

This is what he believes will allow Royal Enfield to succeed in a market that is notoriously difficult for startups.

“Royal Enfield has always been accessible and Flying Flea should be,” he said. “Other brands tend to rush into these things and buy a lot of off-the-shelf parts. The costs soon add up and it’s difficult to make it work financially,” he added.

It helps that Royal Enfield invested €50 million in Spanish electric off-road motorcycle startup Stark at the end of 2022. The partnership has seen many of Stark’s learnings from its Varg off-road model influence both the upcoming C6 and the more off-road. Road-oriented C6 and the next electric adventure bike from the Himalayas.

Analysis: a likely success, if the price is right

Royal Enfield Flying Flea

(Image credit: Royal Enfield)

Once launched, the Flying Flea brand will take on companies like Maeving RM1Sas well as more expensive options from BMW (the CE02) and even Kawasaki’s first attempt at an electric vehicle in the Ninja e-1 model, with very low power and range.

More recently, Can-Am has entered the market with its Pulse and origin machines, which offer excellent technology and attractive driving. But they are out of reach for many thanks to their high prices.

Royal Enfield needs to ensure the price is right, maintaining its reputation in the ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle market as the affordable and accessible option.

If it can do this and still offer a great infotainment offering, as well as a fun and reliable ride (not to mention a solid all-electric range), it could be the first brand to break into the mass-production electric motorcycle market .