Hero MotoCorp, a leading motorcycle manufacturer in India, introduced a groundbreaking concept called the Surge S32 at the recent Hero World 2024 event. This concept vehicle, developed by Hero’s wholly-owned startup called Surge, is a modular electric vehicle that offers the flexibility of being used both as a personal electric scooter and a three-wheeled rickshaw for carrying cargo or passengers. This innovative design makes the S32 the first of its kind to come from an established mainstream manufacturer.

The Surge S32 consists of two main components: a standalone electric scooter and a rickshaw without a front wheel. Users can effortlessly convert the scooter into a rickshaw in just three minutes. All they have to do is slot the scooter into the front of the rickshaw, where the scooter’s front wheel will handle the steering duties for the rickshaw. The scooter’s rear wheel remains unused in rickshaw form and rests on the rickshaw’s platform. The scooter and the rickshaw have their independent motors and batteries. They are electronically connected, allowing the driver to use the scooter’s handlebar and controls to pilot the rickshaw.

In terms of performance, the S32 scooter boasts up to 6 kW (8 horsepower) of power, while the rickshaw, designed to carry heavier loads, has a 10 kW (13.5 horsepower) output. The batteries used in the S32 are sourced from Hero’s electric vehicle subsidiary, Vida. Surge also plans to introduce various variations of the rickshaw to cater to individual needs and preferences. This includes open-type rickshaws resembling pickup trucks, as well as closed-type designs for transporting people.

The development of a concept like the Surge S32 required collaboration with India’s Ministry of Road Transport to create a new vehicle registration category called “L2-5.” This category defines the S32 as a “2-Wheeler-3-Wheeler Combi Module,” which combines a two-wheeled vehicle of category L2 with a non-self-propelled rear module unit that can be separated or combined as needed.

While the Surge S32 is currently just a concept and no specific launch date has been announced, the fact that Hero MotoCorp went to the extent of creating a new vehicle category for it indicates the company’s serious intentions of turning this innovative concept into a reality.