Scooters India to make e-bikes

In March, the company had invited EoIs from auto companies for collaboration in the manufacture and marketing of the proposed electric two-wheeler. "We have received EoIs from eight to nine Indian companies and the matter has been put before the board of directors for evaluation and short-listing," a senior company official told Business Standard.

Since the central government holds nearly 98 per cent stake in the company, the central ministry of heavy industries has its nominee on the board. "The EoIs would be evaluated for their technical and financial terms since it would be a long-term association."

SIL, which was a sick unit under the purview of Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) in 1996, will sell the battery-driven electric two-wheeler through its own dealer network.

The firm already has a high-capacity assembly line and trained manpower for the proposed venture. Now, the company manufactures cost-effective passenger three-wheelers under the Vikram brand. Its assembly line has a capacity of about 3,000 unit per month.

SIL, which holds the world rights of legendary scooter brands Lambretta, discontinued two-wheeler production in 1997. Incorporated in 1972, SIL has a totally integrated automobile plant engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad spectrum of conventional and non-conventional fuel driven three-wheelers.

SIL's plant owes its origin to M/s Innocenti of Italy from which it bought the plant and machinery, design and copyright. In 1975, SIL started its commercial production of scooters under the Vijai Super brand in the domestic market and Lambretta overseas.

Later, it introduced Vikram, which has several variants running on fossil fuel like petrol and diesel and LPG, CNG and battery.

Besides the domestic market, SIL exports to Germany, Italy, Sudan, Nigeria, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is also engaged in the manufacture of auto components for the overseas market, especially the UK.

After BIFR approved a revival plan in 1996, SIL witnessed a turnaround and started making profit. The company has 1,600-odd employees on its rolls.