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Nov 06, 2024

Royal Enfield has turned this classic WW2 bike into a next-gen EV range – and it might just take electric motorcycles mainstream | TechRadar

Based on a bike that fought in WW2, Flying Flea flies again When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Royal Enfield has revealed the 'next

Based on a bike that fought in WW2, Flying Flea flies again

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Royal Enfield has revealed the 'next chapter' for the company with the unveiling of its Flying Flea dedicated EV brand.

With the full backing of the Indian-owned motorcycle company, a marque that has been producing two-wheeled transport since 1901 and is on course for selling almost one million motorcycles a year, Flying Flea will go on to represent and entire family of electric motorcycles that offer a “city++” range.

This equates to around 150km (93 miles) on a single charge, according to Mario Alvisi, chief growth officer at Royal Enfield.

The first battery-powered bikes will arrive in 2026 and will be badged the Flying Flea C6. It takes inspiration from the lightweight 125cc motorcycle that was developed to be parachuted into conflict zones during World War 2.

The Flying Flea grew in popularity following the war, as huge demand for cheap, low maintenance transport peaked.

Managing director, Siddhartha Lal, says that the Flying Flea brand is “going for disruption” and that it will spawn a family of electric bikes, with the reveal event also including a look at a future scrambler style S6 model - the better looking of the two bikes.

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

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It's draws on a similar retro-futuristic vein as the Maeving RM1S, just with the added glitz and polish of a company with years of experience mass producing motorcycles.

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

This is what he believes will allow Royal Enfield to be successful in a market that is notoriously difficult on start-ups.

"Royal Enfield has always been accessible and Flying Flea needs to be the same," he said. "Other brands tend to rush into these things and buy many off-the-shelf parts. The costs soon adds 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 start-up Stark in late 2022. The partnership has seen a lot of Stark's learnings in its off-road Varg model influence both the upcoming C6, the more off-road orientated S6 and the upcoming Himalayan electric adventure bike.

Once launched, the Flying Flea brand will go up against the likes of Maeving’s RM1S, as well as pricier options from BMW (the CE02) and even Kawasaki’s first stab at an EV in the seriously under-powered and seriously under-ranged Ninja e-1 model.

More recently, Can-Am has entered the market with its Pulse and Origin machines, which offer some excellent tech and an engaging ride. But they are out of the reach of many thanks to their high price points.

Royal Enfield needs to ensure the pricing is spot on, continuing its reputation in the ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle market as the affordable and accessible option.

If it can do this and still deliver a great infotainment offering, as well as a fun and reliable ride (not to mention a solid all-electric range), it might just be the first brand to crack the mass-produced electric motorcycle market.

The divisive looks, on the other hand, are still up for some debate.

Leon has been navigating a world where automotive and tech collide for almost 20 years, reporting on everything from in-car entertainment to robotised manufacturing plants. Currently, EVs are the focus of his attentions, but give it a few years and it will be electric vertical take-off and landing craft. Outside of work hours, he can be found tinkering with distinctly analogue motorcycles, because electric motors are no replacement for an old Honda inline four.

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