Electric Royal Enfield Himalayan Spotted Testing in Ladakh, Nears Production Launch

Royal Enfield seems to be well on its way with its upcoming electric adventure motorbike. The electric iteration of the Himalayan, which was recently seen testing in Ladakh, seems to be in production trim. If the spy images are anything to judge, this may be India’s first electric adventure tourer, and it may not be long before it goes officially on sale.

Initially rolled out as a concept by the name of the Him-E at the EICMA 2023 motorcycle exhibition, the electric Himalayan has gone from concept to testing phase in a relatively short span of time. The test motorcycle carries the same ADV (Adventure) design as its petrol variant, the Himalayan 450.

Design-wise, the bike features all the well-familiarized elements such as a high vertical windscreen, a circular LED headlamp, and heavy-duty tank guards on either side. The overall attitude is tough, its off-road-oriented Bridgestone Battlax tyres giving it its adventure-ready image. Also notable are the high-end bits on the test bike. These are a golden-hued USD front fork, SM Pro Platinum alloy wheels, and an Öhlins monoshock at the rear that is fully adjustable — high-end touches rarely found in RE’s current offerings.

Where there would otherwise be a fuel tank, the test bike incorporates a one-piece seat that sweeps forward into the tank space, a familiar arrangement for electric bicycles. The battery pack and electric motor are located where an engine would traditionally go, and they look to be functioning as a stressed component of the frame. Both the motor and the battery housing appear to be made of aluminum, which goes along with the high-end and high-strength build.

The bike is also equipped with petal-type disc brakes on the front and rear, complementing its performance aspects. The dashboard is at present fitted with an Ecumaster unit, which is often employed in prototype testing. But this will probably be substituted with a production-spec digital console providing basic features and riding information.

No official technical details have been revealed to date, including battery capacity, motor power, range, and charging time — but industry analysts anticipate the production version will come with a robust electronics package. These are predicted to include ABS, traction control, and several riding modes, which further enhance its appeal to adventure riders.

It should be pointed out that while the test mule reflects numerous high-end bits, not all will find their way into the final product. That being said, that they exist at all suggests Royal Enfield’s serious commitment to making this bike a high-end electric ADV option.

Royal Enfield is set to formally introduce the electric Himalayan in the future, likely following the launch of the Flying Flea C6 and S6 models. Given the burgeoning market for electric motorcycles in India, this model may prove to be a game-changer in the adventure touring category.