Indian army to deploy electric two-wheeler in border terrain: Functions of EVs in Indian Army

Electric Vehicles in India are here to stay. This cannot be more evident than the fact that electric vehicles are soon going to be a reliable companion in India's defence architecture. The Indian Army, one of the most professional armies in the world, is now seeking to deploy two types of electric two wheelers, one for the use of operations and another for communications.

No doubt electric vehicles are far cleaner than their ICE counterparts, but in this case it's not just about a green initiative, but a bit more strategic. Let’s dig in

Indian Army tender for Operational Electric Bikes

The GEM/2026/B/7383148 tender from the Indian Army specifies the acquisition of an advanced electrical two wheeler meant to perform in tough operating environments. According to the tender, the electric vehicle will have a driving range that should be at least 105 km under one battery charge, thus providing enough capability for operational functions and missions. The tender specifies that the vehicle will have an adequate payload capacity of 160 kg or more, suggesting that it must easily move the entire weight of a fully armed soldier. The bike will use the PMSM (permanent magnet synchronous motor) type having at least 2000 watts motor power together with 2.9 kWh battery capacity.

From a manufacturing standpoint, the tender specifies that the vehicle should have alloy wheels, tubeless tires, and disc brakes on both front and rear ends to increase toughness and maneuverability through challenging environments. Moreover, the vehicle must be covered by a warranty period of 3 to 5 years or even longer.

Indian Army tender for Messenger Electric Bikes

The tender GEM/2026/B/7383148 from the Defence Ministry is about the need of Messenger Electric Bikes for the Indian army. The tender specifies very nuanced details to filter the only eligible companies who can make a reliable product. 

The proposed electric bike should  have a battery of 3.2 kWh, a certified range of up to 145 km, and a top speed of 78 km/h, ensuring high performance during the mission. The proposed design also includes some additional useful features, such as  fast charging from 0 to 80% in 4 hours 40 minutes and parking assist. The expected maximum power of the bike will be 4.4 kW. In addition, the tender specifies the tyre’s bike to be tubeless.

In terms of structure and comfort, the vehicle must be fitted with telescopic front suspension and hydraulic twin-tube shock absorbers for the rear wheels should be equipped to provide balance on rough terrain. The vehicle’s ground clearance is provided as 157 mm, whereas the brake configuration comprises 130 mm drum brake and 220 mm disc brakes. In terms of appearance, the vehicle should be in gray color, which suits its nature as a military vehicle.

Why electric vehicles over conventional petrol ones?

Electric vehicles are at heart of green initiatives, there is no doubt about that. However, this time despite being pollution free, the Army also needs certain features that traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles simply cannot provide.

For example, the most important requirement is acoustic stealth, meaning the bike should be nearly silent, even from a distance of 10 meters or more. The Army also wants EVs that can cool down quickly, so that enemy forces are unable to detect them using thermal imaging. Now imagine operations in the deserts of Rajasthan after continuous movement in extreme heat, the EV must have strong cooling capability to effectively avoid thermal detection. And it’s not just deserts; these vehicles will also be used across forests, mountains, and varied terrains, making thermal and acoustic stealth even more critical.

The Demand and Supply 

Designing a vehicle capable of functioning in difficult terrain requires more effort than designing a civilian vehicle. Unlike urban motorcycles, these vehicles have to be able to work effectively in desert, forest, and mountainous regions under harsh temperatures and tactical requirements. It explains why the Indian army is seeking vehicles that are tough, enduring, and stealthy, among other capabilities.

However, the Indian Army’s attempt at embracing EVs is not the first of its kind, since several companies have already created electrically propelled military vehicles. This includes Pravaig’s VEER E-TATV (electric tactical all-terrain vehicle) that has gone through extensive field testing and is under consideration for induction because of its low noise levels and off-road capabilities. Meanwhile, smaller firms like Risley have even been developing electric two wheelers for military mobility applications.

Interestingly enough, the tender specifies Ather 450S as the reference model. It does not imply that the Indian army would purchase that particular scooter, but rather acts as a benchmarking standard to compare against other models available. Ather 450S offers up to 115 kilometers of driving range, maximum speed of about 90 kilometers per hour, and advanced functions such as parking assistance and connectivity.

By including such a reference, the Ministry is effectively signaling that any manufacturer, whether it’s TVS, Hero (Vida), Bajaj Chetak, or startups can participate, as long as their product meets or exceeds these benchmarks. In simple terms, the Army is using a known civilian EV as a technical yardstick, while expecting companies to further ruggedize and militarize their offerings for real combat conditions.