Husqvarna E-Pilen and E-Scooter are coming sooner than you think

Husqvarna looks set to become one of the first mainstream motorcycle manufacturers to hit the market with a fully electric powered offering after documents revealed its new E-Pilen and E-Scooter will descend on us in 2022.

Last month Husqvarna revealed a teaser shot of its new electric offering, the E-Pilen, which will join the conventionally powered Vitpilen and Svartpilen in the firm’s roadster range. 

Now a presentation at PMAG (Pierer Mobility AG) has confirmed that both it and the firm’s foray into the scooter market, also electric, will be quietly hitting the streets in 2022 in the hope of making a big noise for the Swedish firm.

While Husqvarna isn’t the first manufacturer to commit to electric power for one of its motorcycles, with a modest 11kW (around 15bhp) engine, 100km of range and swappable battery, it is arguably the first to capitalise on the huge strides in technology in this area to ensure anyone considering the step to volts does so more seamlessly.

Indeed, while the likes of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire and Energica Ego satisfy the more premium end of the electric scale (think Tesla), it is the lower-end of the market where the technology is expected to have more relevance long-term, targeting riders who complete shorter urban journeys.

As such, cost will be a crucial factor but Husqvarna will be looking to utilise technology sharing with KTM’s Indian partner Bajaj, which has developed the e-platform for use in the Chetak scooter that is already available domestically. Moreover, though only KTM is mentioned, it is expected Husqvarna will be part of the swappable battery agreement that includes Honda, Yamaha and Piaggio.

While we won’t stake our house on the E-Pilen actually hitting showrooms in 2022 - think COVID - rivals will no doubt be keen to see what the response will be as they consider their own strategies with zero exhaust emission motoring.

This will include KTM, which has promised to develop its own range of electric motorcycles in the future but plans to give them a more sporting edge.

Bajaj trademarks Fluir and Fluor nameplates

Meanwhile, in news which could be related or not at all, Bajaj has trademarked two names for potential use on future motorcycles; Fluir and Fluor.

While trademarking isn’t an unfamiliar practice as manufacturers get in their quick to snap nameplates up so they can mull them over during development, you don’t need a degree in languages to recognise what these names could refer to.

Firstly, Fluir is the Spanish word for ‘flow’, while Fluor is a Latin word meaning ‘ to flow’. It is also a prefix for fluorescent, which could be used to describe the detailing on Husqvarna company colours.

It gives rise to speculation Bajaj is working on its own version potentially of the E-Pilen, which if for nothing should ensure development is moving on at a steady pace.