Exclusive spy shots reveal new urban electric Royal Enfield model to rival Maeving's RM1S

It’s no secret that Royal Enfield have been working on electric motorcycles for some time, but these exclusive spy shots indicate that the Indian firm’s first battery-powered bike could be launched imminently.

These images, taken earlier this month, appear to show a near production-ready prototype being ridden through the streets of Barcelona.

• Related: Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 tested in Barcelona

Although Royal Enfield have both tested and teased EVs with the likes of the electric Himalayan-style adventure machine, their first offering looks set to be a city slicker, reminiscent in its appearance of the legendary WD/RE125 ‘Flying Flea’ motorcycles which played a huge part in WW2.

With a thin and relatively small stature, the new Enfield looks to have a range, weight and performance figure similar to the current small capacity electric rivals, including the much praised Maeving RM1S.

In theory, this should offer somewhere between 60 and 100 miles of range, a top speed that allows it to be ridden out of the confines of a city centre and a quick charge time too, especially as its rumoured that the battery will be fixed, rather than removable – and the spy shot does nothing to dissuade that.

In reality, this is a machine built to be a stylish commuter, which should make it not only make it easy to ride for any level of rider, but also accessible on an A1 licence.

From the spy shot it’s clear to see a reasonably low seat height along with a neutral riding position, which is complemented by a retro style appearance from the curved ‘tank’, girder forks and the chunky mirrors, indicators and the single round headlight.

Unlike some of the Enfield’s EV rivals, there is also a set of pillion pegs visible which would suggest the ability to take a passenger.

There’s also a sizeable round dash reminiscent of other recent Enfields, alongside a bracket that could be set to house a turn-by-turn navigation system – an addition usually reserved for their more premium models.

Although there’s no official word yet on the price (or even when it will come to production), MCN expect it to sit somewhere in the region of Maeving’s aforementioned £7495 RM1S.

This would place it significantly higher than the more budget options, but also far less than more extravagant examples from the likes of RGNT, with their £13,990 No.1 Scrambler SE.

To put that into perspective, the cheapest machine in Royal Enfield’s current line-up of ICE machinery comes in the form of their £3899 HNTR 350.