This Indian Company Just Built the Most Unlikely EV Motorcycle You’ve Ever Seen

In a world of slick, silent EVs that pride themselves on minimalism, Matter Energy [1] is doing something no one saw coming--they've added gears. Yes, actual gears. And not just a simulated shift pattern or paddle shifters like in some EV cars.

We're talking about a real, honest-to-goodness four-speed manual transmission--on an electric motorcycle. It's called the Aera 5000 [2], and it might just be the weirdest and most wonderful thing to come out of India's growing EV industry. Let's rewind for a second.

Matter Energy isn't your typical EV startup. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Ahmedabad, this Indian company has always been more interested in doing things differently. While most electric mobility brands race to shave milliseconds off 0-60 runs or cram in bigger batteries, Matter has taken a more nuanced approach--blending tech, tactile riding feel, and rider engagement into one package.

The Aera 5000 is its first product, and it's already turning heads.

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Recently, the company expanded retail sales to Delhi, its fourth market after Ahmedabad, Pune, and Bengaluru. Pricing sits at Rs 194,000, or around £2,325 USD, a compelling figure for what's essentially a fully connected, liquid-cooled electric motorcycle with a manual transmission. That same price applies across all launch markets in India, with deliveries expected to begin during the country's festive season.

Now, let's get into what makes the Aera 5000 tick. At the heart of the bike is a 5 kWh battery pack mated to a 10.5 kW electric motor. That translates to roughly 14 horsepower and a real-world range of about 78 miles per charge.

While those numbers might not sound earth-shattering, it's how the bike delivers power that makes all the difference. The 4-speed gearbox--with a legit clutch lever--lets you ride it like a gas-powered motorcycle. Downshift for engine braking, rev it out for a burst of acceleration, and maybe even pop the clutch for a burnout or wheelie here and there.

It's a uniquely analog experience on an otherwise digital machine. But Matter isn't ignoring the tech crowd. The bike is fitted with a 7-inch touchscreen that controls everything from turn-by-turn navigation to call and text alerts, all via the company's custom MatterVerse mobile app.

You also get smart features like geo-fencing, remote locking, ride mode selection, and even keyless ignition. There's even a reverse assist function--yes, on a motorcycle this compact.

Photo by: Matter Motor

And it's not just tech for tech's sake. The Aera 5000 is built with liquid cooling for both the battery and motor, a feature normally reserved for much more expensive electric bikes.

This helps keep temps in check during hot urban commutes, especially important in India's brutal summers. It also hints at the bike's long-term durability, something many e-motorcycle makers gloss over. So, why should someone in the US or Europe care about a mid-priced Indian e-moto with a manual gearbox?

Because it proves there's still room in this electrified future for sensation, not just specs. Most EVs--especially bikes--are content being quiet, efficient, and a little bit boring. But the Aera 5000 is different.

It asks a simple but powerful question: What if you could have your electric cake and eat it, too, all while banging through the gears like it's 1999?

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References

^ Matter Energy (www.matter.in)
^ Aera 5000 (www.matter.in)