Coppernicus, a Bengaluru-based start-up that manufactures e-bicycles, launched its first premium segment e-bike 'Coppernicus T3' in Mangaluru on Wednesday.

In an informal chat with BusinessLine on the sidelines of the launch in Mangaluru, Kevin X Vas, founder of Coppernicus (who hails from Mangaluru), said the Coppernicus T3 model will be competitively priced, about 50 per cent lower than imported bikes with similar specifications.

The e-bike is powered by a 250W motor from Bafang (a manufacturer of e-mobility components headquartered in China). It has a maximum speed of 25 km per hour and a 14 Ah lithium ion battery pack as its power train. Coppernicus T3 has Shimano Zee gears, with a 10-speed cassette from Japan. This e-bike can also cruise without pedalling, for which a separate accelerator is provided.

Vas said Coppernicus is also launching a foldable e-bike, and this model should be available by December. He said the product design and development team, which is from Mangaluru, has been working and testing Coppernicus products for the last three years.

On the reasons for launching the e-bike, he said the push towards a greener environment and the government's smart city project will be a catalyst for the use of e-bikes in the country. Coopernicus products will be available in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai and Ahmedabad through its dealer networks.