Have you ever wondered when traditional motorcycle brands would seriously enter the electric vehicle race? According to IndiaCarNews, Royal Enfield, the famous Chennai-based bikemaker, is now taking that big step. The company will launch two electric motorcycles called C6 and S6 under a new subsidiary named Flying Flea. This marks a major shift for the brand known for its classic petrol-powered bikes.
Understanding Royal Enfield’s Electric Strategy
Royal Enfield is not rushing into the electric market. The company has carefully planned to launch these bikes between January and March 2026, giving them plenty of time to perfect the technology. The Flying Flea name is important because it creates a separate identity for their electric offerings while maintaining the main brand’s heritage. This approach helps traditional customers adjust to the new direction.
B. Govindarajan, Eicher Motors Managing Director, described their vision as creating “Urban and city-focused electric two-wheelers for the future, which is timeless yet modern technology and design.” This statement reveals their strategic balance between honoring Royal Enfield’s classic appeal while embracing new technology.
The company is backing this vision with serious money, planning to invest over Rs 1,500 crore in their EV business. This large investment shows they’re committed to becoming a major player in the electric two-wheeler market, not just testing the waters.
The C6 and S6 Models: Classic Meets Electric
The C6 model takes Royal Enfield’s classic styling into the electric age. Times of India reports it features a forged aluminium frame with a distinctive girder-style front fork that connects to Royal Enfield’s heritage. Think of it as a vintage bobber design but powered by electricity instead of petrol.
The S6 model is built for adventure, designed as a scrambler that can handle both city streets and rough terrain. It shares the same platform as the C6 but adds features that make off-road riding possible:
- Higher ground clearance to help you safely ride over rocks, roots, and uneven surfaces without damaging the bike’s underside
- Dual-purpose tires that provide good grip on both paved roads and dirt paths, making the bike versatile for different riding conditions
- Wire-spoke wheels that are more flexible and better absorb impacts from rough terrain than solid wheels would
- Longer suspension travel to better absorb the bumps and jumps you might encounter when riding off-road
Both bikes will have advanced features like disc brakes with cornering ABS (which helps prevent wheel lockup even when leaning into turns), cruise control, and a color touchscreen display. The bikes will support over 200,000 riding mode combinations, allowing riders to customize their experience.
Smart Business Partnerships and Sales Approach
Royal Enfield isn’t building these electric bikes alone. In December 2022, they formed a partnership with Stark Future S.L., a company with special expertise in electric motorcycles. This teamwork divides responsibilities smartly: Stark provides technical know-how about batteries and motors, while Eicher Motors handles manufacturing and supply chains.
The company is still deciding how to sell these new electric bikes. According to IndiaCarNews, they have three options they’re considering: using their existing dealerships, creating special EV-only showrooms, or selling directly to customers. This decision will be made by September 2025.
What This Means for Indian Riders
Royal Enfield’s move into electric motorcycles signals a major shift in the Indian two-wheeler market. When a traditional brand embraces electric technology, it helps make these vehicles more mainstream. Will other classic motorcycle makers follow Royal Enfield’s electric path?
