Shift Happens: Meet Matter, India’s new Entry into the E-Moto Game
- Buck City Biker
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
As you know, we're always on the lookout for exciting and new products in the e-moto scene. To that end, here’s a name worth adding to your mental garage: Matter.
This Ahmedabad-based Indian start-up is drawing attention with the 'Aera', a geared electric motorcycle that blends old-school shifting with modern tech.
Who’s Matter?
Matter was founded in 2019 in Ahmedabad, India, with a sharp focus on combining hardware innovation and software-driven energy solutions. They’re not just building electric motorcycles—they’re building ecosystems, from liquid-cooled batteries to cloud-connected platforms.
What sets Matter apart? They’re obsessed with recreating the tactile engagement of combustion bikes for the electric era. Their debut bike, the Aera, adopts a 4-speed manual gearbox with clutch and foot lever, leveraging the familiarity that we all know and some of us still love—this one’s for the purists.
It's not the first time we've seen this setup on an e-moto. The OAO Pro from two-wheeled giant QJ Motor got there first, although aimed at a sportier segment.
Meet the Matter Aera
Think of the Aera as an electric commuter with a mechanical soul. Under the tank sits an 11.5 kW peak, liquid-cooled motor, paired with a 5 kWh battery pack, putting it in the same weight class as the OAO Pro and firmly within the A1 (125cc) type approval for Europe — but with its own distinct fighting style.
Key Specs:
Gearbox: 4-speed manual with 3 riding modes (Eco, City, Sport)
Range: Up to 125 km (real-world), 150+ km (IDC-certified)
Top Speed: 105 km/h
Charging Time: ~6 hours (standard onboard charger)
Brakes: Dual disc with single-channel ABS
Display: 7-inch TFT touchscreen with nav, ride stats, and OTA updates
Connectivity: Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, geo-fencing, smart diagnostics
Price in India: ₹1.93–₹1.94 lakh (approx. £1,800 / $2,300*)
*Prices outside India are unofficial estimates and subject to import costs.
Design and Styling
The Aera doesn’t scream “EV” at first glance—and that’s deliberate. Matter wanted it to look like a motorcycle first, and an electric vehicle second. The result is a muscular, streetfighter-inspired frame with sharp tank shrouds, angular LED headlamps, and a beefy stance that gives it visual presence well above its segment.
The faux tank houses the touchscreen console and hides charging ports and storage space, while the battery and motor are cleanly integrated into the chassis—no exposed wires or oddball shapes here. The overall aesthetic is modern but not overly futuristic, and it leans closer to a naked ICE commuter than something out of Blade Runner.
Colour options include matte black, electric blue, and dual-tone schemes with orange or silver accents—edgy without going overboard.
So... Why Gears?
While most electric motorcycles use direct drive or single-speed transmissions, Matter has boldly added gears to enhance rider engagement. In this sense, the manual gearbox isn’t about squeezing out more torque—electric motors already excel at that—it’s about restoring a tactile connection that many motorcyclists miss when switching to electric.
And yes, you’ll need to use a clutch (though it's tuned for smoother transitions). Some see this as a step backward in a world moving toward automation, but for die-hards who love riding, it's a welcome twist.
Global Availability
As of July 2025, the Aera is officially available only in India, with rollouts in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Pune. While Matter has expressed interest in international markets, there are no confirmed launch dates for the UK, EU, USA, or Australia.
Still, with Indian brands like Ultraviolette already exporting the F77 abroad, it’s not impossible to imagine Matter making a move—especially if demand from Western riders picks up.
Final Thoughts
Matter’s Aera doesn’t try to be the fastest or flashiest e-moto on the market. Instead, it dares to ask a different question: what if electric motorcycles could still feel mechanical? With strong specs, a practical range, bold styling, and a unique gearbox, could the Aera be a game-changer in India? Or just an intriguing outlier.
Ride safe, folks.
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