[McQueen]

Surge EV is a startup that is wholly owned by Hero MotoCorp. Hero spent last few years developing this new concept.

The Surge S32 was unveiled at Hero World 2024. The vehicle is based on the Advanced Modular Smart Electric Platform (AMCEP). It's a 2-wheeler that can be converted into a 3-wheeler and vice-versa. The whole process takes a total of 3 minutes. You have utility on one end and commuter on the other.

• Official Flyer:
  
  

• Surge S32 Launch on Surge EV's YT Channel:
  
  

  Surge S32 Launch- World's First Segment Adapting Vehicle

• Variants (3 commercial and 1 transport):
  
  

• Cabin view:
  
  

• Chassis design:
  
  

• Click here to watch AutoCar India's walkaround and scooter-(un)docking video (on AutoCar India's official Instagram)
  
  

  Same video on YouTube (unofficial upload - NOT by me)

[Shresth_EV]

Originally Posted by McQueen

The Surge S32 was unveiled at Hero World 2024. The vehicle is based on the Advanced Modular Smart Electric Platform (AMCEP). It's a 2-wheeler that can be converted into a 3-wheeler and vice-versa. The whole process takes a total of 3 minutes. You have utility on one end and commuter on the other.

So is it registered as a single vehicle or two vehicles?

The 3W being registered as commercial number and 2W with private number?

I think this is the first time a convertible vehicle like this has been launched in India.

Do you also insure them separately? Do you also get two RCs for each (since obv they will require two licences to operate as well)

I don’t even need it or going to buy it but this has made me curious about the legal side of it

[Senotrius]

I don't see the use case for this. But it's nice to see an Indian company doing the same. Can someone tell me the use of this wrt practicality. One point maybe to save space overall for parking. We can save weight and increase overall range when it's either a standalone scooter or an autorickshaw. But together not so much. Anyone got a different opinion on how this could succeed other than a study case.

[deep_bang]

I think the intended use case is that of a delivery van where the van cannot get into small lanes and in that case the van gets parked in the main road while the deliveries get done in small lanes.

However, it will all depend on how easy is it to detach and reattach the scooter.

Either way, what's important is to acknowledge that Indian companies are investing in these new models and architectures and taking a risk trying out these things. That to me is an important step as compared to the earlier days when all we did was to pick an already existing design from Vespa/Honda/Piaggio and such and modify it a little and launch a product. We were good in operational excellence but not in innovating new products themselves. Now that seems to be changing.

[SuperGirl_Dad]

Originally Posted by Senotrius

I don't see the use case for this. But it's nice to see an Indian company doing the same. Can someone tell me the use of this wrt practicality. One point maybe to save space overall for parking. We can save weight and increase overall range when it's either a standalone scooter or an autorickshaw. But together not so much. Anyone got a different opinion on how this could succeed other than a study case.

It will be very much useful for small scale farmers. We have a farm where we have to transport organic compost and equipments through narrow kaccha roads every week. Even the produce will be brought back in small tempos every month. These items are bulky but do not weight a lot. Every day my uncle will use his scooter to go to the nearby town for work ~10 kms. This will be a good alternative combining both these needs. My only concern is the turning radius, is it mentioned any where?

[V.Narayan]

Kudos to Hero for this creative product. I cannot judge the demand but if it is reliable in both its 2-wheel and 3-wheel forms it will find a market in India's small business community. Bread earner and family vehicle two-in-one. Love those looks. Pity Bajaj never upgraded the looks of its ubiquitous 3-wheel autorickshaw.

[Joe367]

Originally Posted by Shresth_EV

So is it registered as a single vehicle or two vehicles?
....
I don’t even need it or going to buy it but this has made me curious about the legal side of it

I also have so many questions. Where does the rear wheel of the scooter go? Does driving the vehicle require 3 wheeler licence? Should the scooter be registered as commercial vehicle as well? If the scooter and 3 wheeler have separate battery and motors then what would be the cost of the vehicle?
It will be interesting to see if govt would make registration and road tax more flexible for such vehicles in India. With electric powertrain, we can have many more crazy products and concepts.

[Redex]

An interesting concept. But I don't see any practical use for it. In my opinion a better option is just buy a 3 wheeler and hang a 2 wheeler off the back on a frame. Simple, cheap and anyone can service/repair it.

[the.dogfather]

I think it has a use case. It can be used as an passenger autorickshaw or amazon delivery van in the day and for food deliveries at night. It can also be useful to business owners or carpenters/plumbers who need the goods carrying capacity occasionally. The goods carrying can be done when they need to deliver things at the site, but for all other visits the scooter can be used.

[ArTigor]

This looks very practical for small farmers, milk vendors, grocery distributors.
In order to understand its usability one has to spend some time in rural India, to understand the scale of economics and delivery-logistics networks for farmers and small scale distributors/businesses. Some of them barely make money after deducting cost of living to pay off their Ape/Ace loan EMI's, owning a second 2 wheeler is unfeasible.

It looks of a great use to my farm at least, as we have to carry almost 150-200 liters of milk twice during the day from our farm to the Village which is located 5 kms away.
Apart from the daily two time milk haul, there is the occasional requirement of carrying fertilizers and fodder for the cattle once a week from nearby village to our farm.
As of now for our local commutes, we have our trust worthy 15 year old Honda Dio.
For all other milk and goods related haul we have to hire an Ape 3 wheeler. We end up paying a lot for the Ape, but then owning an Ape or an Ace is also not justified for the kind of income.
This is the scenario of most of the farmers in my area.

This will perfectly fit in the gap, there are times when once I reach the Village/Tehsil from my farm, carrying milk cans in an Ape, I actually need a 2 wheeler to visit multiple places for work & purchase within the village, these are narrow lanes which can be traversed only on 2 wheelers, all the stuff is collated near the village bus stop and then loaded into a 3 wheeler cargo to be bought back to my farm. This is where this convertible can come in handy. That Haunch in the loading bay to accommodate the bike is one issue though, it reduces the usability of the bed.

But the most important point are Cost and Durability, as both the Dio and Ape are super abuse friendly, nothing less sturdy will do! As the last thing I want to see is this vehicle split into two from the center while carrying the 200 liters milk on my farm roads.
If this is built tough, and priced well, it may sell good.

[Fuldagap]

Let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that homegrown Hero is doing what all auto Indian companies ought to. Kudos! The concept looks not only appealing but soothing to the eyes too.

A concept showcases not just the product but also the design prowess of the designer. Moving towards design creation from plain jane manufacturing shows the maturity of Indian companies towards being truly world leaders.

Hero is the world's largest 2 wheeler manufacturing company while also being one of the most net cash rich, if not the number 1, company in the world. They could burn cash like none other.

Honda used to have such out of the concepts decades back, like a scooter that fits inside a suitcase or call it a folding scooter, Motocompacto. It was even put into production. Not appealing to the general masses but it fit somewhere for somebody's use. Mazda produced a suitcase car, a small prototype.

Innovation in design and not just engineering is hugely welcome whether the concept really makes it to production or not. Tatas are great at showcasing concepts too.

This proves that the end of the fabulous joint venture between Honda and Hero long back has only made Hero able to mature itself like Honda. With time we hope to see more.

[puntra800]

As a matter of fact, I actually want to check this out. Considering that as a family we own a farm or rather inherited one and I have a perfect use case for it. I require a trailer only for few occasions across the year a lorry or mini truck becomes to big and a permanent 3 wheeler considering the usage is not worthwhile. Surge perfectly fits the bill.

[thomahawk]

Is this the inspiration?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJROK1L_O6Q

[enj0y_ride]

I sincerely hope market adopt such innovations that are home grown for Indian market. The last mile delivery use case seems to be a genuine one. The regulatory aspects, I am sure they can iron out ( or might have already done it ).

[Mr.Ogre]

Wow!! This is so cool man. I hope the execution is as good as the marketing material backed by a solid and reliable product. I would really love to see this succeed.