If you regularly keep an eye on the updates of the Indian automotive industry, you must be aware of the Hero Surge S32, the concept all-electric vehicle which can be shifted from a two-wheeler to a three-wheeler. The GOI has now approved it under the L2-5 category by awarding the manufacturer with the type approval certificate.
The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, posted on X, formerly Twitter, on March 30, 2026, and congratulated Hero MotoCorp for the innovative idea. The post by the minister highlights that it is the world’s first swapping vehicle, which can be switched to 2W and 3W depending on the operational need.
S32 Get Government Approval
After receiving the type approval certificate from the GOI, Hero Surge S32’s subsidiary, Surge Future Mobility, can now start its production. In the Indian market, SFM has three products which are S32 PV, S32 LD and S32 HD; among them, the first one is a passenger vehicle and the last two are cargo.
At first glance, the Hero Surge S32 appears to be just like any ordinary three-wheeler; however, it is not quite what it seems. The objective behind its development is to cater to individuals who require a vehicle to transport cargo while simultaneously desiring the convenience of a scooter.
With the Surge S32, SFM has integrated a 2W scooter and a 3W cargo unit onto a single platform. Essentially, it appears to be a standard two-wheeler; however, when connected to the three-wheeler platform, the scooter transforms into the front section, i.e., the control unit, of the three-wheeler.
Its Specifications
The powertrain for this electric vehicle, which is designed to switch between a two-wheeler and a three-wheeler configuration, will differ for the scooter and cargo variants.
The scooter version will come equipped with a 3.5 kWh battery, featuring a 4 bhp electric motor; it is expected to achieve a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour.
The three-wheeler platform, on the other hand, will house an 11 kWh battery paired with a 13.4 bhp motor. Due to its load-carrying capacity, its speed will be slightly lower compared to the scooter’s, offering a top speed of 50 km/h, and load capacity will be up to 500 kg.
The range for two-wheelers is expected to be between 60 and 70 kilometres, while that of three-wheelers is likely to be between 80 and 100 kilometres.
The company is introducing these two distinct powertrains to ensure that the actual functionality of each variant remains uncompromised.
Furthermore, the two-wheeler unit will utilise advanced LED lighting to ensure effective utility even when deployed as a cargo vehicle; its structural design will be such that it can be easily docked with the three-wheeler platform without requiring excessive time.
L2-5 Category
The L2-5 category is a new classification added for vehicles in India in which the first one is the Surge S32. In the future, this category will comprise only those vehicles that are fully convertible from 2W to 3W, in accordance with the specific requirements.
Now it is going to be an EV which will switch from a two-wheeler to a three-wheeler, but the number plate for both is going to be the same. Note that its registration certificate will have two subclasses in which L2-5M is for two-wheelers and L2-5N is for cargo, i.e., three-wheelers.
Launch Expectation
As the type approval certification for the Surge S32 has now been received from the Central government; now it is expected that its production will commence shortly. We can, therefore, anticipate receiving news regarding its launch very soon.
Some reports have even claimed that it could launch by late 2026. Regarding pricing, nothing has been officially confirmed by the auto manufacturers yet; however, it is expected that the ex-showroom price will likely fall within the range of ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
