New Delhi: Festive season in India usually means discounts on smartphones, gadgets and appliances. This year, one of the surprises has come from the two-wheeler industry. Matter, an Ahmedabad-based EV startup, has decided to put its geared electric motorbike AERA on offer during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale.
It is not often that you hear about an electric motorcycle bundled into an online festival sale, but that is exactly what is happening. The company has announced benefits of up to ₹50,000, effectively bringing the AERA’s price down to ₹1.55 lakh (ex-showroom). Deliveries are being promised around Navratri, giving early adopters a festive-season entry into EV ownership.
AERA: India’s first geared electric motorbike
Matter has been pitching AERA as a machine that blends traditional motorcycling feel with electric drive. The key highlight is its four-speed HyperShift transmission, the first of its kind on an EV bike. For riders used to shifting gears, this feature makes the switch to electric a little more familiar.
The bike uses a liquid-cooled powertrain designed for Indian weather and road conditions. Performance numbers suggest quick getaways: 0 to 40 km/h in under 2.8 seconds, with a certified range of up to 172 km on a single charge. In simple terms, it is enough to cover daily city commutes with room left for a weekend spin.
Tech on two wheels
Inside the cockpit, the AERA has a 7-inch touchscreen dashboard. It displays navigation, music and ride statistics in a way that feels closer to smartphones than typical bike consoles. Riders also get features like connected updates and smart diagnostics, something I can imagine younger buyers expecting as standard now.
The lifetime battery warranty, another first for India, will likely attract buyers worried about long-term running costs. Batteries usually become the biggest concern when people consider EVs, so this move might ease some hesitation.
Why this launch matters
For EV adoption in India, visibility is often half the battle. Listing an electric motorbike on a mainstream platform during a shopping festival means more people will stumble upon it while browsing phones or TVs.
The company has also set up “Experience Hubs” where potential buyers can take test rides before deciding. For many, touching and feeling the bike will matter more than online specifications. If the AERA clicks with urban riders, it could open up a new space in India’s growing electric two-wheeler market that has so far been dominated by scooters.