The morning sun beats down on Delhi’s chaotic streets as I navigate through the endless stream of two-wheelers, cars, and auto-rickshaws that define urban Indian mobility. Today feels different, though. The curious glances from fellow commuters aren’t directed at me but at what I’m riding – the distinctively futuristic Hero Electric AE-3, a three-wheeled electric trike that represents one of the most interesting departures from conventional two-wheeler design to emerge from an Indian manufacturer.
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After spending a week with this unconventional vehicle, threading through city traffic, taking it on longer suburban routes, and engaging with curious onlookers who inevitably gather whenever I park, I’ve developed a nuanced understanding of where this unique offering fits in India’s rapidly evolving electric mobility landscape.
“It’s not quite a scooter, not quite a car,” remarks Rajesh, a software engineer who approaches me outside a coffee shop in Gurugram, circling the AE-3 with undisguised curiosity. His observation hits the nail on the head – the AE-3 exists in a fascinating middle ground, promising the maneuverability and efficiency of a two-wheeler with the stability and presence of something more substantial.
As India’s electric vehicle market matures beyond the initial wave of basic electric scooters, Hero Electric’s AE-3 represents an ambitious attempt to carve out an entirely new category. But does this three-wheeled outlier deliver on its promise, and more importantly, does it solve actual mobility problems for Indian consumers? The answer, I’ve discovered, is as multi-faceted as the vehicle itself.
The Design Statement: Breaking New Ground
There’s no getting around it – the AE-3 looks unlike anything else on Indian roads. The twin front wheels set wide apart, the aerodynamic front fascia housing sleek LED headlights, and the tapered rear section create a silhouette that draws inspiration from futuristic concept vehicles rather than conventional Indian two-wheelers.
“We wanted to create something that visually communicates the shift to next-generation mobility,” explained Sohinder Gill, CEO of Hero Electric, during the vehicle’s unveiling. “The AE-3 isn’t designed to blend in – it’s meant to stand out as a statement of progressive transportation.”
That design philosophy is evident in every angle of the vehicle. The body panels, molded in customizable colors (my test unit came in a striking electric blue with matte black accents), feature sharp character lines that give the AE-3 a dynamic appearance even when stationary. The protective cowl that partially shields the front wheels adds to the futuristic aesthetic while serving the practical purpose of reducing spray in wet conditions.
Where traditional scooters offer a simple step-through design, the AE-3 presents a more substantial presence. The rider sits in a position that feels midway between a conventional scooter and a small car, with a more upright posture and a sense of being “in” the vehicle rather than simply perched upon it.
Ergonomics and Comfort: Rethinking the Riding Position
The ergonomics of the AE-3 represent a significant departure from conventional two-wheelers. The seat is wider and more supportive than typical scooter saddles, with a backrest that provides welcome lumbar support during longer rides. During my weeklong test, the difference became particularly noticeable during a two-hour journey to Sohna, where I arrived with none of the lower back fatigue typically associated with traditional scooters.
The handlebar position and width have been calibrated to work with the wider front track, requiring a slightly different riding technique. Initially, this feels unusual for anyone accustomed to conventional two-wheelers, but after about an hour of city riding, I found myself adapting to the more car-like steering inputs the trike requires. By the third day, it felt entirely natural.
Where the AE-3 truly differentiates itself is in the footrest area. Rather than the limited floorboard of a traditional scooter, riders get a spacious platform for their feet, creating a more relaxed and customizable riding position. This extra space also provides room for small luggage to be secured between the rider’s feet – I comfortably transported a gym bag this way during daily commutes.
“We conducted extensive ergonomic studies to find the optimal position that balances comfort for both short urban hops and longer journeys,” Gill noted in technical materials provided with the test vehicle. This attention to comfort becomes particularly relevant when considering the AE-3’s target market of urban professionals who may be looking to replace car journeys with something more efficient but don’t want to sacrifice comfort.
Technical Specifications: The Heart of the Matter
Beneath the futuristic bodywork lies an impressive technical package that sets the AE-3 apart from conventional electric scooters. The powerplant consists of a hub-mounted 2.5 kW electric motor integrated into the rear wheel, delivering a claimed top speed of 80 km/h. During testing, I saw a realistic maximum of around 75 km/h, which proved adequate for all but the fastest arterial roads around Delhi.
More impressive than the top speed is the torque delivery. Like most electric vehicles, the AE-3 delivers instant torque from a standstill, making it surprisingly quick off the line. The sprint from 0-40 km/h – perhaps the most relevant acceleration metric for urban use – takes just under 4 seconds, allowing for confident merges into traffic.
Power comes from a 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that’s substantially larger than those found in most electric scooters. Hero Electric claims a range of 130 kilometers per charge in ideal conditions, though my real-world testing suggested 100-110 kilometers is more realistic with mixed riding conditions. Still, this represents enough range for several days of typical urban commuting without requiring a recharge.
The Three-Wheel Difference: Stability and Handling
The defining technical characteristic of the AE-3 is, of course, its three-wheel configuration with two wheels at the front and one at the rear (commonly known as a “tadpole” layout). This arrangement offers several advantages over conventional two-wheelers, most notably in terms of stability.
The front end utilizes a sophisticated double-wishbone suspension system that allows the vehicle to lean into corners while maintaining both front wheels planted on the road. This creates a riding experience that feels more secure than a traditional scooter yet preserves much of the maneuverability and fun factor that makes two-wheelers appealing.
“The tilting front mechanism was the most challenging aspect of the development process,” shared Rahul Sharma, part of Hero Electric’s engineering team, during a technical walkthrough. “We went through seventeen iterations to get the balance between stability and handling characteristics exactly right.”
That development effort is evident in the AE-3’s behavior on the road. At lower speeds, particularly in heavy traffic conditions, the trike feels only marginally wider than a conventional scooter, allowing for the same traffic-filtering capabilities that make two-wheelers so practical in congested Indian cities. The turning radius, while naturally larger than a standard scooter, remains tight enough for easy U-turns on typical roads.
At higher speeds, the additional stability becomes a genuine advantage. The AE-3 tracks confidently even on poorly maintained roads, with the twin front wheels absorbing impacts that might unsettle a conventional two-wheeler. This became particularly apparent during an unexpected cloudburst in Gurugram, where the trike maintained its composure on slick roads that had many scooter riders pulling over to wait out the rain.
The Riding Experience: Daily Life with the Hero Electric AE-3
Beyond the technical specifications and design elements, what ultimately matters is how the AE-3 functions as a daily mobility solution. My week with the vehicle included typical commuting, shopping trips, weekend leisure rides, and even a longer journey to test its versatility.
The first thing that strikes you about riding the AE-3 is the sense of presence on the road. Where conventional scooters can sometimes feel vulnerable amid larger vehicles, the AE-3’s wider stance and distinctive appearance seem to command more respect from other road users. Cars and auto-rickshaws consistently gave more space when passing or changing lanes – a small but meaningful safety advantage in India’s often chaotic traffic conditions.
Starting the AE-3 is a keyless affair, with a proximity fob that allows the rider to simply press the power button and go. The digital instrument cluster springs to life with a customizable display that provides all relevant information – speed, battery status, range estimate, and ride mode – in a clear, easy-to-read format.
Urban Mobility and Practicality
In urban settings, the AE-3 proves remarkably practical. The stability at low speeds makes stop-and-go traffic less taxing, as you don’t need to constantly put your feet down for balance. During a particularly congested evening on MG Road, this feature became a genuine comfort advantage, reducing the physical fatigue that typically accompanies crawling through traffic jams.
Parking, often a concern with non-standard vehicles, proved less problematic than anticipated. The AE-3 requires slightly more space than a conventional scooter but still fits comfortably in standard two-wheeler parking spaces. The vehicle includes a self-balancing stand that automatically deploys when parked, eliminating the need to wrestle with a traditional center stand.
Storage capacity represents another advantage over conventional scooters. In addition to the underseat compartment that can accommodate a half-face helmet and small items, the AE-3 features a front storage compartment located between the two front wheels. This weatherproof space easily swallowed my laptop bag, lunch container, and rain jacket – items that would typically require a cumbersome backpack on a standard scooter.
“We designed the AE-3 with practical urban utility in mind,” noted Gill. “The additional storage spaces reflect our understanding that people aren’t just riding for transportation – they’re carrying their daily lives with them.”
Technology Integration: Smart Features for Connected Riders
As befits its futuristic design, the AE-3 comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of connected features. The Hero Electric App pairs with the vehicle via Bluetooth, offering remote monitoring of battery status, trip statistics, and service reminders. More useful is the integrated navigation system that connects to the vehicle’s display, providing turn-by-turn directions without requiring the rider to mount a separate smartphone.
The app also enables geofencing capabilities, theft protection through remote immobilization, and customizable riding modes that can be pre-configured and switched on the fly. During my testing, I found the “Eco” mode sufficient for most urban riding, with “Sport” reserved for highway stretches where additional power was welcome.
Charging infrastructure, often a concern with electric vehicles in India, proves less problematic with the AE-3 thanks to its portable charger. The standard 1.5 kW charger plugs into any 15A domestic socket, fully replenishing the battery in approximately 4 hours. For those with access to a 7.2 kW AC wallbox, the charging time drops to just under an hour from 20% to 80%.
“We’re building vehicles that integrate with the way people actually live and use technology,” explained Naveen Kumar, Hero Electric’s Chief Technology Officer. “The connected features aren’t just gadgetry – they solve real problems and enhance the ownership experience.”
Safety Enhancements
Safety features represent another area where the AE-3 surpasses conventional electric scooters. The inherent stability of the three-wheel design is augmented by disc brakes on all wheels with a combined braking system that distributes braking force optimally. Anti-lock brakes come standard, preventing wheel lock-up even under aggressive braking on slippery surfaces.
The lighting system deserves special mention, with a powerful LED headlight array that provides excellent visibility after dark. Particularly useful are the cornering lights that activate based on steering input, illuminating the inside of turns – a feature normally found only on premium motorcycles and cars.
During a night ride through poorly lit stretches near Manesar, these safety features inspired confidence that simply isn’t present on conventional scooters. The stable platform, superior lighting, and reliable braking combine to create a genuinely safer mobility option for India’s often challenging road conditions.
Market Positioning and Value Proposition
With an expected price point between ₹1.25 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh (ex-showroom), the AE-3 positions itself in an interesting space in the Indian mobility market. It’s substantially more expensive than basic electric scooters yet considerably more affordable than the cheapest electric cars.
This pricing reflects the vehicle’s positioning as a premium urban mobility solution rather than basic transportation. The target demographic appears to be urban professionals who might otherwise use ride-sharing services or consider a second car for commuting purposes.
“The AE-3 isn’t competing with budget electric scooters,” noted market analyst Priya Sharma, whom I consulted for perspective on the vehicle’s market position. “It’s creating a new category that addresses the limitations of traditional two-wheelers while maintaining most of their advantages in terms of mobility and efficiency.”
When viewed through this lens, the value proposition becomes clearer. For riders willing to embrace an unconventional design, the AE-3 offers significantly enhanced comfort, storage capacity, and all-weather capability compared to traditional scooters, while still providing the maneuverability and efficiency that make two-wheelers practical in congested cities.
Ownership Experience and Support
Hero Electric has announced plans to support the AE-3 with a specialized service network, recognizing that the unique design requires specific technical expertise. Service intervals are set at 6 months or 7,500 kilometers, with the battery warranted for 5 years/50,000 kilometers and the vehicle itself covered by a 3-year/30,000-kilometer warranty.
The company is also introducing a subscription model that allows customers to access the AE-3 for monthly payments starting at approximately ₹8,000, including maintenance and insurance. This option may prove attractive to younger consumers who prefer access over ownership or those looking to test the concept before committing to a purchase.
Pioneering a New Category
After a week with the Hero Electric AE-3, I’ve come to view it not simply as an electric scooter variant but as a genuine attempt to create a new mobility category for the Indian market. It successfully addresses many of the limitations that prevent some consumers from adopting two-wheelers – stability concerns, limited storage, and weather vulnerability – while preserving most of the advantages in terms of efficiency and maneuverability.
The AE-3 isn’t for everyone. Traditional motorcyclists may find the riding experience too different from what they’re accustomed to, while those seeking basic transportation have more affordable options. But for urban commuters looking for a more substantial, practical, and comfortable alternative to conventional scooters without the cost and parking challenges of a car, the AE-3 offers a compelling new option.
As I reluctantly return the test unit, I find myself reflecting on what the AE-3 represents for the evolution of Indian mobility. In a market that often focuses on cost-cutting and conservative design choices, Hero Electric has taken a genuinely bold step with this three-wheeled electric vehicle. Whether or not it succeeds commercially, the AE-3 demonstrates that Indian manufacturers are now willing to pioneer new mobility concepts rather than simply following global trends.
For the right user in the right environment, the AE-3 could represent not just a new vehicle choice but a new way of thinking about urban transportation – one that bridges the gap between conventional categories and anticipates the more diverse mobility ecosystem that India’s evolving urban landscapes will require.
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