Everything you need to know about Royal Enfield's electric motorcycle

Electric is coming and Royal Enfield isn’t waiting for the inevitable rush. 

The famous British-born, Indian-owned manufacturer has launched its first electric motorcycle under a new sub-brand dubbed Flying Flea.

While all major manufacturers have electric factored into their futures, very few have been keen to pull the trigger until there is a demand for it. But Royal Enfield believes the time is right and that it can “disrupt” the market with its new model. 

The bike is a while away from production, but bikesales was invited to the global reveal in Milan ahead of the EICMA show to get an exclusive insight into the brand’s electric ambitions. Here is everything you need to know. 

What is Flying Flea?

Flying Flea is a new brand created and "endorsed" by Royal Enfield. It serves a similar purpose to Royal Enfield as LiveWire does to Harley-Davidson or Scrambler does to Ducati. It marks Royal Enfield’s official entry to the electric motorcycle space. 

What is the Flying Flea C6?

The Flying Flea C6 is the first model under the Flying Flea banner. It's a fully electric roadster with a distinct neo-retro design. Royal Enfield says the bike fits into the city+ segment. The C represents classic, while the 6 represents the bike’s “mid-size” status. In other words, future models could have bigger or smaller numbers based on their size. 

What is city+?

According to Royal Enfield, the city+ segment “allows riders to break free to and from the city”. In simple terms, it's one step above a typical inner-city commuter motorcycle or scooter. Perfect for urban riding, but capable enough of venturing outside the city limits for the odd day trip. This fits in with Royal Enfield’s status as a leader in the mid-sized (250cc to 750cc) motorcycle segment. 

When will the Flying Flea C6 launch?

Sometime in 2026. The bike on display in Milan was essentially an advanced prototype, but the brand hopes to have a finished product on display at EICMA 2025.  

How much will the Flying Flea C6 cost?

No idea. But Royal Enfield is known for its affordability (in markets like Australia, USA, and the UK, at least), so it would make sense for the C6 to be priced under $20k. 

What powers the Flying Flea C6? 

The Flying Flea C6 is powered by a motor and battery developed in-house by Royal Enfield, but exact specification is yet to be confirmed. Royal Enfield says that there will be different “configurations” for different markets, meaning that there will be different battery sizes and power deliveries available for different countries. 

As project leader Mario Alvisi explained: “So for people to ride with no licence, for people to ride full power with a licence – the goal here is to create something that is flexible and accessible for everyone.”

What battery range does the Flying Flea C6 have? 

This is also yet to be determined and will vary based on the different configurations mentioned above. But Alvisi and Eicher Motors CEO Siddhartha Lal provided a small hint at the bike’s expected average range. “It’s very good,” said Alvisi. “It’s perfect to go in LA from Marina del Ray to Ventura and come back.”

Lal added: “Or go from Como from Milano and come back. To go to Lake Como, have a nice coffee and gelato and then come back.” 

Those comments, while said light-heartedly, suggest the expected useable range could be anywhere between 100 and 200 kilometres. However, Lal also confirmed that the team “are still working on the final thing”. 

“What we’re finding, and of course everyone knows about it, is how you run the vehicle, what conditions you run the vehicle, that really affects how much the battery is draining, right? And if you’ve got altitude, you’ve got cold weather, then you’re really going for it.” 

In other words, the exact battery range is still to be determined.

How quickly does the Flying Flea C6 charge?   

Sorry, but this is another one we don’t know. But Royal Enfield CEO B. Govindarajan said: “We developed our own philosophy on charging, because we want to have something that is easy to charge everywhere in a fast way and with an affordable price.”

To this end, the Flying Flea C6 will feature “easy and fast charging at a domestic 3-pin plug” and all charging equipment (such as cables) will be “onboard”. 

But Royal Enfield is also taking battery life into account when discussing charging times. With faster charge times comes reduced battery life and more cost over time, so Royal Enfield is trying to find the right balance. “All those testings are being done”. 

What equipment does the Flying Flea C6 have? 

By far, the most eye-catching feature of the C6 is the forged aluminium girder front fork and articulating mudguard, both which fit seamlessly with the bike’s retro style. According to Royal Enfield, girder forks were “synonymous with pre-1930s motorcycles”, while the original Flying Flea featured a “rubber band” style girder fork. The girder fork is almost non-existent in modern motorcycling and offers no notable performance advantages. It is simply to help accentuate the bike’s classic looks. 

The FFC6 also features a forged aluminium frame, a magnesium battery case designed for “optimal weight saving and cooling”, and a round TFT unit. The model on display was also complete with ByBre brakes and CEAT tyres. 

What technology does the Flying Flea C6 have? 

The Flying Flea C6 is the most high-tech motorcycle from Royal Enfield to date. 

It will be the brand’s first model to feature cornering ABS and traction control, while an in-house developed “Vehicle Control Unit”, or VCU, enables over “200,000 different ride mode combinations” and monitors the bike to alert you if it is disturbed or moved. It will also allow for over-the-air updates. The user’s phone will play a big role in the experience. 

Meanwhile, the TFT display features full colour smartphone connectivity and navigation, much like the examples seen on the Guerrilla, Himalayan, and Bear models. 

There is more to come, too, with Royal Enfield saying: “28 patents have been filed in the last six months alone, with further advancements coming by the day”. 

Why does the Flying Flea C6 have a fixed battery over a removable battery?

The Royal Enfield executives had a detailed answer for this one. The brand spoke with “more than 5000” people about EV ownership and the consensus was that many do not use or want removable batteries.

“Basically, they told us they bought the vehicle because of the removable battery, but now they are not using the removable battery,” said Alvisi. “And if they can buy a new product now, they won’t buy a removable battery for too many reasons.” 

One reason is the batteries are too heavy to lift out of the motorcycle, while another reason is concern over theft of removable batteries when parked in the street. The Royal Enfield team also believes there are too many technical compromises with removable battery systems, including packaging, and the need for a second on-board battery system.

Lal explained that the company is not concerned if it loses a few customers over swappable batteries. “They can go to a different option, a different brand for swappable,” he said. “We’re not going to offer that, so we made that call, we lose a few customers, that’s okay. But we go for the right technology for us.” 

What is the Flying Flea C6 like to ride? 

We haven’t ridden it, of course, but the feedback from the Royal Enfield team is good. 

“I’m biased, but it’s exactly what we wanted to do,” said Lal. “It feels like a full motorcycle, but very tight. So, it doesn’t feel like a toy. But you can see its narrow, it’s light, all of that. It’s got tremendous response, and it leaves every other vehicle on the streets of Barcelona (where most of the testing has taken place) behind.” 

Where will Flying Flea models be built? 

The new sub-brand has its own R&D and infrastructure, as well as a team of more than 200 “world-class” engineers in the UK and India. In addition, a new EV manufacturing plant is being developed in Royal Enfield’s home city of Chennai in India. Alvisi is leading the project as the Chief Growth Officer of Electric for Royal Enfield. 

Where does the Flying Flea name come from?

The Flying Flea brand name is taken from the original Royal Enfield Flying Flea model of the 1940s. The lightweight, easy-to-use all terrain machine was purpose built to be airdropped by parachute into the battlefields of WWII. It was later sold as a production model for civilians. 

Will there be more Flying Flea models? 

Yes. And Royal Enfield has already announced the next one – the S6 scrambler. It's already in development and will follow soon after the C6. 

What about the electric Himalayan? 

Royal Enfield also showed off the second version of its electric Himalayan “Test Bed” but it confirmed it has no plans for a production version anytime soon.

How is Stark Future connected?

Royal Enfield purchased a large stake in electric motocross brand Stark Future back in 2022. The Stark team have provided valuable advice, expertise, and assistance in Royal Enfield’s electric exploration. But, while the electric Himalayan uses a Stark Varg powerplant, the Flying Flea bikes will be developed and built in-house by Royal Enfield.  

Will there ever be electric bikes under the Royal Enfield brand name? 

Possibly. Lal explained that Flying Flea is aimed at small- and mid-capacity electric motorcycles, but that the Royal Enfield brand is there if it decides to produce bigger capacity electric bikes. “So, for example, if we were ever to productionize the electric Himalayan, that would be Royal Enfield straight away,” Lal said.

Does this mean no more petrol bikes for Royal Enfield? 

Not at all. In fact, the internal combustion engine is still a big focus for the company. 

“We are continually wedded to our lovely petrol bikes,” said Lal. “So that’s not going to stop. We think this (Flying Flea) is beautiful and has the characteristics of Royal Enfield, but if it alienates customers, that’s fine, because we’ve still got our petrol motorcycles for existing customers.” 

Will Flying Flea be a success? 

Only time will tell, but Royal Enfield is confident that “the time is right” for its electric endeavours. “Honestly, we really think we can disrupt the market,” said Lal. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here.”

The brand has opted to prioritise smaller, urban-focused bikes over bigger electric machines, as that's where the demand is.

“Bigger doesn’t work, but we saw that scooters in some markets are working,” said Lal. “So, can we do a step or two above? That gives the same convenience, but with a lot more character and form factor.” 

And why do it at all? “Because the writing is on the wall. It is inevitable. It’s on the cards, right? There are markets around the world that are planning to switch (to electric) or have started the switching process. So, that is moving in front of us. It is an existential question for all of us.”

But while Royal Enfield is confident in the project, it is also not oblivious to the potential failings.  “We’re not betting the entire farm on this. We’re putting money behind it, but if for some reason it doesn’t work, we’re good. It doesn’t sink the company. Not at all. But we’re committed to the idea. 

“We really think that it’s the first on-road electric motorcycle that can get good traction. Because we believe we’ve understood the consumer and that’s what they’re looking for. Who knows? But that’s our belief.”