When RapteeHV invited us to Chennai to test the T30, India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Electric bikes have been around for a while, but few have managed to combine performance, practicality, and passion. Over two days, first through Chennai’s urban sprawl and then along the scenic East Coast Road to Kovalam Beach, I got to know the T30 rather intimately. Spoiler: it’s fast, futuristic, and fun, but not flawless.
Getting Acquainted
The first ride was a short city loop that took us from the bustling streets of Chennai to RapteeHV’s HQ and assembly unit. It was the perfect way to get familiar with the T30’s build and ride manners. The bike feels solidly put together. It’s got muscular proportions with beefy panels, a floating tail section, a tyre hugger, and sharp LED lighting that gives it a proper big-bike vibe. The 7-inch TFT touchscreen adds a modern flair, displaying everything from ride modes to navigation in crisp detail. That said, manoeuvring it through tight traffic revealed one design quirk I wasn’t fond of. The large turning radius. In narrow lanes or U-turns, it felt a bit cumbersome, which somewhat dampened its city-friendly character.
High-Voltage Highway Run
Next morning’s breakfast run to Kovalam Beach was the real test. As the sun rose over Chennai’s coastline, the T30 came alive. The 22kW motor and 70Nm of torque make for thrilling acceleration, especially when toggled to Sprint mode. RapteeHV claims a 0 to 60 kmph of 3.5 seconds, and it feels every bit as quick. What impressed me most was that even when I pushed it hard, the power delivery never sagged, which is a testament to its 340V high-voltage architecture. Most e-bikes begin to fade when pushed; this one didn’t flinch.
Three Modes of Fun
RapteeHV offers Comfort, Power, and Sprint modes, each catering to a different personality. Comfort is mellow, which makes it ideal for city commutes, but honestly, too tame for a bike that costs over ₹2.39 lakh. It feels like riding a premium e-scooter. Power mode strikes the perfect balance by being strong, responsive, and efficient. But Sprint is where it’s at! The T30 truly shines in this mode, unleashing its full potential at the cost of reduced range (around 75 km). But for sheer exhilaration, it’s worth it.
Charging brilliance
But RapteeHV’s excellence lies more in its architecture than its ride, and this promises a lot for the future. You see, it’s India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle. What that means is that instead of a 72V setup, it packs a massive 240V one, which was hitherto only seen on electric cars. This allows the bike to dish out plenty more power without heating up. And less heat, of course, means less energy loss, more range, and yes, weight savings too. Plus, it also allows RapteeHV to push in a built-in CCS2 charger on its tank. Insanely enough, you can charge the T30 at any car charging station, no questions asked. Using such a charger, it can go from 20 to 80% in just 36 minutes.
Final Thoughts
With this CCS2 charging port, muscular stance, and relentless performance, the RapteeHV T30 is proof that Indian EV startups are ready to take on the big players. Sure, it’s got cons, but its character makes up for it and promises big things in the future.