Toyota-Backed Startup Launch: ₹64,000 E-Bike with Unlimited Battery Warranty

Zeno Emara, launched by a Tesla ex-employee with Toyota Ventures’ backing, offers 25-second battery swaps, INR 64,000 price, and an unlimited battery warranty. Pre-book now for a smarter commute!

arbaz20-May-25 2:20 PM

Toyota-Backed Startup Launch: ₹64,000 E-Bike with Unlimited Battery Warranty

Backed by Toyota Ventures, Bengaluru startup Zeno launched its revolutionary Emara electric motorcycle today, promising to transform daily commuting in India with a 25-second battery swap feature for just INR 64,000. Led by ex-Tesla employee Michael Spencer, Zeno’s Emara—India’s first Sport Utility Electric Motorcycle (SUEM)—offers an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to petrol bikes, tackling the high costs and range anxiety that hold commuters back.

Toyota’s Big Bet on India’s EV Future

At today’s launch event in Bengaluru, Zeno unveiled the Emara with a bold vision for sustainable mobility, backed by $9.5 million in funding from Toyota Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, and others. The event buzzed with excitement as CEO Michael Spencer, a former Tesla executive, showcased the bike’s ability to swap batteries in just 25 seconds. “Emara is your workhorse all day and still looks good on a date night,” Spencer said, standing in front of a backdrop emblazoned with the tagline “TAKE CHARGE.” Attendees witnessed live demos of the Emara and its charging stations, highlighting Zeno’s commitment to making electric mobility accessible for India’s mass-market commuters.

From Tesla to Bengaluru: Zeno’s Expert Leadership

Founded in 2021 by Michael Spencer, who honed his expertise at Tesla, Zeno aims to sell over 2 billion electric two-wheelers by 2040, potentially replacing $11 trillion in fuel consumption and addressing over 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. “I saw how Tesla transformed the global EV landscape, and I wanted to bring that innovation to India,” Spencer shared. The team includes industry veterans like Rob Newberry (ex-Apple and Nest), Swaroop Bhushan (ex-Lucid and Harley Davidson’s LiveWire), and Alastair Sussock (ex-SafeBoda), blending global expertise with local insights. Zeno’s manufacturing base in Delhi-NCR has a capacity of 1,000 units per month, with plans to deploy 20,000 charge points by 2029, ensuring no rider is more than 2.5 km from a charging facility in launch cities.

What Makes the Zeno Emara a Game-Changer?

The Emara is built for the daily grind, targeting the 100- 150cc commuter segment dominated by petrol bikes like the Hero Splendour and Honda Shine.

Here’s what it offers:

Powerful Motor: 8 kW peak power, hitting a top speed of 90 km/h—perfect for city rides and beyond.
Impressive Range: A 4 kWh Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LFP) battery (expandable to 8 kWh) delivers a real-world range of 100 km (120 km IDC).
Heavy-Duty Build: Carries up to 250 kg, ideal for passengers or cargo.
Tackles Steep Slopes: 30-degree gradeability, capable of handling steep inclines.
Rugged Design: 190 mm ground clearance and 17-inch knobby tires easily tackle rough roads.
Storage Galore: Up to 150 litres with add-ons (5L front, 5L under-seat, 100L rear capacity).
Weight: 160 kg, balancing durability and manoeuvrability.
Modern Features include a 6.3” digital display, Class D LED headlight, dual disc brakes, and four ride modes (including an industry-first tractor mode).

Charging Made Easy: The Emara introduces India’s first multi-modal charging ecosystem:

25-second battery swaps at Zeno stations (stations charge 10 batteries in 60-75 minutes).
Fast charging with Type 6 chargers (full in 1.5 hours).
Home charging with a portable charger (5-6 hours).

Pricing That Fits Your Budget

Zeno offers flexible ownership models, with introductory pricing limited to the first 5,000 buyers:

Wholly Owned: INR 1,00,000 (introductory, INR 1,19,000 regular) includes the bike, two batteries (4 kWh each, total 8 kWh), and a home charger. Charging options are plug-in at home or fast chargers.
Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS): INR 64,000 (introductory, INR 79,000 regular) includes the bike and home charger, with battery usage plans:
- Prepaid: INR 1,500/month for 48 kWh (40 km/day) or INR 2,500/month for 120 kWh (100 km/day).
- Postpaid: INR 52 per kWh based on actual usage.
- Charging options: Swap, fast charge, or home charge.
Pre-book now for just INR 999. Deliveries will start in Bengaluru in late 2025 and expand to Delhi, Mumbai, and Tier-II/III cities in 2026.

A performance variant, the Emara ADV, is slated for late 2026 with 11 kW peak power, 110 km/h top speed, 0-60 km/h in 5 seconds, 19-inch front wheels, and higher ground clearance, priced at INR 1,40,000 for the first 5,000 buyers.

How the Emara Changes Your Daily Ride

Picture this: You’re a delivery rider in Bengaluru, racing against time to drop off packages. Your bike runs low on charge, but instead of waiting hours, you pull into a Zeno station, swap your battery in 25 seconds, and get back on the road. At INR 64,000 with a BaaS plan, the Emara fits your budget, and its 250 kg load capacity means you can carry more orders in one trip, boosting your earnings while cutting fuel costs.

Why EVs Are the Talk of 2025

With fuel prices soaring at INR 100/litre and rising air pollution, more Indians are looking for affordable, eco-friendly ways to commute. The government’s EMPS 2024 subsidy (INR 10,000 per motorcycle) adds to the appeal, making electric bikes like the Zeno Emara a wise choice for budget-conscious riders who care about the planet. Toyota’s backing signals confidence in the EV revolution, and Zeno’s innovative approach is set to lead the charge.

Save Big: Emara vs. Petrol Bikes

Let’s break down the cost over five years for a rider covering 40 km/day (14,600 km/year, 73,000 km total):

Zeno Emara BaaS Prepaid:
- Upfront Cost: INR 64,000 (introductory).
- Subscription: INR 1,500/month for 48 kWh, covering 40 km/day (1.2 kWh/km).
- Annual Subscription Cost: INR 1,500 * 12 = INR 18,000/year.
- 5-Year Subscription Cost: INR 90,000.
- Maintenance: Minimal for EVs, INR 500/year, 5 years = INR 2,500.
- Insurance: INR 2,000/year, 5 years = INR 10,000.
- Total TCO: INR 64,000 + INR 90,000 + INR 2,500 + INR 10,000 = INR 1,66,500.
Hero Splendor Plus (100cc ICE Scooter):
- Purchase Price: INR 75,000 (average ex-showroom).
- Fuel Efficiency: 60 km/l (city conditions).
- Fuel Cost: INR 100/litre.
- Annual Fuel Cost: 14,600 km / 60 km/l = 243.33 litres/year, cost INR 24,333/year.
- 5-Year Fuel Cost: INR 1,21,665.
- Maintenance: INR 2,000/year, 5 years = INR 10,000.
- Insurance: INR 2,000/year, 5 years = INR 10,000.
- Total TCO: INR 75,000 + INR 1,21,665 + INR 10,000 + INR 10,000 = INR 2,16,665.

Comparison: The Emara saves you INR 50,165 over five years compared to the Splendor, and you’re helping the environment with zero emissions—a win-win!

No More EV Worries

The Emara’s BaaS model, inspired by Spencer’s Tesla experience, tackles two significant EV concerns:

Battery Life: Zeno manages the battery lifecycle, eliminating worries about degradation or costly replacements and giving you peace of mind.
Charging Time: With 25-second battery swaps, you’re back on the road faster than it takes to fill a petrol tank, addressing the question, “What if I need to charge on the go?”

Who Else Is in the Race?

The Emara enters a competitive market, valued at USD 1.05 billion in 2023 and projected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2035 (CAGR 12.481%). Key players include:

Revolt Motors: RV400 (INR 1,24,000, 150 km range) and RV1 (INR 84,990, 100-160 km range). Sold 9,951 units in CY2024, targeting 40,000-45,000 in FY2026, with 200 dealerships.
Oben Electric: Rorr (INR 1,49,999, 187 km range) and Rorr EZ (INR 89,999, 110-175 km range). Sold 1,500-1,600 units in FY2025, targeting 12,000 in FY2026, with 35 showrooms (aiming for 100+ by FY26).
Matter Motor Works: AERA (INR 1,74,000–1,94,000, 125-172 km range), facing delivery delays.
Ola Electric: The Roadster series (INR 74,999–1,99,999, 117-579 km range) is facing delays and controversies.
eActiva: Now offering battery swapping, joining the trend among major EV players.
Others: Ultraviolette (F77 Mach 2 at INR 2,99,000) and legacy OEMs like Hero, TVS, Bajaj, and Ather are planning entries.

Battery swapping is increasingly common, with eActiva and Zeno adopting this technology to address range anxiety, a significant bottleneck in the 100- 150cc segment. By late 2025, when deliveries begin, competition will intensify with Ola’s rollout, Matter’s scaling efforts, and potential launches from Hero, TVS, Bajaj, and Ather. Zeno’s affordability and charging flexibility give it an edge, but scaling its network will be key.

Opportunity for Zeno: Filling the Gap with Toyota’s Support

The 100- 150cc segment, which constitutes two-thirds of India’s two-wheeler market, has seen less than 1% EV penetration, primarily due to high upfront costs and range anxiety.

Toyota Ventures’ backing positions Zeno to fill this gap with:

Affordability: BaaS at INR 64,000 undercuts ICE bikes like the Hero Splendor (INR 75,000) and competitors like Revolt (INR 84,990).
Practicality: 250 kg load capacity and 150 litres of storage cater to urban and rural commuters, perfect for grocery runs, cargo transport, or