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Delhi to get last-mile e-mobility IT system by Panasonic and Eto Motors On October 17, Panasonic and Eto Motors launched a test project to show how the IT system may provide an effective last-mile mobility system in collaboration with Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Japan’s NEDO. In order to conduct a demonstration for the next 18 months, Eto Motors will deploy its 40 L5 e-passenger carriers on a designated stretch of the Delhi Metro route, which spans its four stations – Nehru Place, Nehru Enclave, Kalkaji Mandir, and Okhla NSIC – in the South East district of the nation’s capital. Through the project, users of the Delhi Metro will be able to easily book a ride for their last-mile commute and check the availability of an Eto Motors e-rickshaw using the “Sojo” mobile application, developed by Panasonic. In addition, the ride-sharing service would support cashless transactions and provide a two-tap booking interface. Panasonic and Eto Motors plan to leverage the data collected from the pilot project, and they will also submit a final report to the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a government agency under Japan’s MEITI that has funded the e-mobility pilot project. “We are supporting the pilot from the standpoint of funding, as well as we have a strong international government-to-government network and enable approvals for such projects. While NEDO will not do any business from this pilot, we support private companies after assessing their proposal,”   Yumitori Shuji, Executive Director, NEDO NEDO, which is also supporting such projects in Indonesia, California, and Phillipines, says with India’s focus on EVs, hydrogen, and bio-mass, the two countries share common values. “While making a government-to-government MoU takes time, this particular project was wholeheartedly supported by the DTC,” Shuji added. The Sojo mobile application’s key developer, Panasonic India, claims to be attempting to provide first- and last-mile connection. It has three components: a driver, passenger, and fleet operator application. The cloud powers these parts of the application at the back end, according to Panasonic India Chief Innovation Officer Manish Mishra. “We assess the demand-supply situation from the driver’s perspective, easy bookings for the passengers, and fleet monitoring from the operator’s perspective. We have put significant effort in designing this platform over the last 10 months, and are launching it now as a demonstration pilot for people to adopt,”. Panasonic India Chief Innovation Officer Manish Mishra Through the project, users of the Delhi Metro will be able to easily book a ride for their last-mile commute and check the availability of an Eto Motors e-rickshaw using the “Sojo” mobile application, developed by Panasonic. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community Content Credit: evmechanica

Ola Electric secures ₹3.2K crore to build cell factory and expand EV portfolio Ola Electric announced on Thursday that it has collected ₹3,200 crore to develop its electric two-wheeler business and build a plant for cell manufacture. The equity fundraiser was spearheaded by Temasek, an existing investor. State Bank of India (SBI) provided a project loan for the financing. Ola Electric has added additional items to its lineup of electric scooters. The most recent S1X, with a 2kWh battery option, is priced at ₹89,999 ex-showroom. Mint was the first to report on 6 September that Ola Electric Mobility signed an agreement to raise $140 million from existing investors including Temasek Holdings, at a $5.4 billion valuation lower than the $7-8 billion that Ola was seeking. Singapore state investor Temasek is pumping in around $90 million. Others—mostly family offices—will contribute the remaining sum. On September 6, Mint was the first to disclose that Ola Electric Mobility had reached a deal to raise $140 million from current investors, including Temasek Holdings. This amount represents a $5.4 billion value, which is less than the $7-8 billion Ola had been aiming for. Temasek, a state investor from Singapore, is contributing about $90 million. Others, primarily family offices, will contribute the remaining amount. After its most recent round, Ola Electric was valued at almost $5 billion. Tekne Private Ventures, Alpine Opportunity Fund, and Edelweiss contributed about $200 million to Ola Electric’s fundraising efforts in January 2022. Ola Electric now has more runway and a cushion before its planned initial public offering (IPO) thanks to this investment. The government’s production-linked incentive for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC PLI) recipient Ola Electric is building a lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility in India.  Phase 1 of the facility will have an initial capacity of 5 GWh, and it will progressively scale up to 100 GWh at full capacity, according to Ola Electric. Ola Electric is getting ready for an IPO in early 2024 and has engaged a number of investment banks, according to a May 25 Mint story. Ola Electric is the market leader in the country for electric two-wheelers thanks to its S1 and S1 Pro scooters. Its percentage of e-scooters sold in India in September was close to 29%, according to data from the government’s VAHAN dashboard. Although Ola Electric has shown off an electric vehicle in August 2022, the launch—which was initially scheduled for 2024—is probably going to be postponed. Additionally, it has featured e-motorcycle designs. Ola Electric reported that after the release of the S1 X+, its most affordable model to date, more people are visiting its experience centers. “Our sales have gone through the roof this Dussehra and Navratri. Selling a scooter every 10 seconds right now, and almost 2.5x of last year,” Bhavish Agarwal, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) posted on X on the day of the Dussehra festival.  However, he did not clarify how long it had been observing the trend. Last month, rival Ather Energy announced it had raised ₹900 crore ($108.27 million) from its shareholders Hero MotoCorp and Singapore’s GIC through a rights issue. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

IME Rapid, India’s Longest-Range Electric Two-Wheeler, Accelerates Expansion Across Northern India IME Vehicles Pvt Ltd, a trusted name in EV two-wheeler market, has announced the soft launch of its flagship vehicle, IME Rapid, in the Northern regions of India, including MP, Delhi, NCR and Punjab. The electric two-wheeler will also be available in Jammu Kashmir starting next month. IME Rapid recently made an aggressive market penetration in Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and is vehemently spreading its outreach across the country. This domestically produced high-quality electric two-wheeler boasts an impressive range of 300 kilometers on a single charge and a top speed of 80 km/hr, marking a significant advancement in electric mobility. This addresses the prevalent issue of range anxiety and marks a major stride toward sustainable transportation in India. IME Rapid’s exceptional performance is made possible due to its proprietary Smart Range Technology (SRT), a revolutionary advancement that redefines the capabilities of electric two-wheelers. SRT intelligently analyzes real-time data, incorporating factors such as battery status, weather conditions, traffic density and driving patterns to provide highly accurate range predictions. This technological breakthrough alleviates range anxiety, encouraging the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and contributing to a cleaner environment. Electric Vehicles are the need of the hour for the country to curb the alarming pollution levels. However, it is also important to manufacture safe and dependable vehicles that would further boost the growth of the robust EV industry. At IME Vehicles, our strong R&D team has addressed all the challenges that the EV industry is facing currently. Our proprietary SRT technology has addressed the range challenge making IME Rapid the only vehicle in India to give the longest range of 300 kms on a single charge. Our Make in India model also addresses the major issue of after-sale service and part replacement roadblocks that most e-vehicles encounter. We are constantly refining our technology to meet the expectations of our customers Mr. Anurag Chaudhary, Chief Executive Officer of IME Vehicles Pvt Ltd The launch of IME Rapid is timely, especially when range anxiety and battery overheating loom large as major hurdles for electric two-wheelers, eroding consumer confidence and hindering industry growth. IME Vehicles envisions a future where electric mobility is embraced wholeheartedly. To further instill confidence in customers, IME Vehicles offers warranties and ensures easy availability of spare parts across all regions, facilitating seamless vehicle servicing for all customers.Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility, IME Vehicles has established partnerships with leading financial institutions such as Kotak Mahindra, HDB Bank, Loan Tap, Shreeram Finance, LiquiLoans, and other prominent banks in India. Additionally, customers have the option to secure vehicle insurance through Reliance and ICICI.With a steadfast determination to overcome challenges and a clear focus on innovation, IME Vehicles is shaping the future of sustainable mobility in the country. About IME Vehicles Pvt Ltd IME Vehicles Pvt Ltd, a trusted name in the electric two-wheeler business, was established in 2022. IME, which stands for Indian Made Electric vehicles, is truly a company that has focused on developing 100% ‘Make in India’ parts and products for its EV range, contributing to the development and growth of the nation. Headquartered in Uttar Pradesh, IME Vehicles has three manufacturing plants- a 6460 sqft Spare Parts Warehouse in Sikandrabad, a 21,530 sqft Low-Speed Vehicle Manufacturing Plant in Manesar and a 27,000 sqft High-Speed Vehicle manufacturing plant in Dasna. This dynamic and forward-thinking company is focused on delivering the best possible products and services to its customers and is constantly seeking new ways to improve and innovate.  Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

EKA Mobility Delivers Electric Garbage Tipper Vehicles to the Pune Municipal Corporation EKA Mobility, a leading company specializing in electric commercial vehicles and technology, headquartered in Pune, has taken a significant stride toward advancing urban sustainability. The company has delivered ten cutting-edge 1.5-tonne electric garbage tipper vehicles to the Pune Municipal Corporation, marking a significant leap in environmentally conscious waste management for the city. The official handover of these vehicles took place during a ceremony attended by prominent political figures, including Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Chandrakant Dada Patil, Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Textiles, and Parliamentary Affairs – Maharashtra. Prior to the delivery of the current fleet, these electric garbage collection vehicles by EKA Mobility underwent successful trials with PMC. Hirdesh Thakur from EKA Mobility reiterated their commitment to supporting Pune Municipal Corporation’s endeavors in creating a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment. EKA Mobility envisions that these electric garbage tipper vehicles will play a pivotal role in elevating Pune’s cleanliness and overall quality of life in an environmentally conscious manner. They have set their sights on collaborating further with PMC to introduce more electric vehicles, with the ambitious goal of making Pune the first Indian city to have a 100% green mobility fleet. Key Features of the EKA Mobility 1.5-tonne electric garbage tipper vehicles: Zero-Emission Operation: These electric garbage collection vehicles operate without emitting any tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with waste collection. High Payload Capacity: With a 1.5-tonne capacity, these vehicles ensure efficient and effective waste collection and transportation, leading to cleaner and more hygienic urban areas. Noise Reduction: These electric vehicles operate silently, reducing noise levels and preventing disturbances in residential neighborhoods during waste collection hours. Extended Range: Thanks to EKA Mobility’s advanced battery technology, these vehicles boast an impressive range, ensuring uninterrupted operation throughout the day. Advanced Safety Features: Equipped with state-of-the-art safety features, these vehicles prioritize the well-being of waste collection crews and other road users. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Simple Energy: A Promising EV Startup Facing Delivery ChallengesZERO sales in September Simple Energy is an electric vehicle (EV) startup based in Bengaluru, India, that aims to produce affordable and high-performance e-scooters for the Indian market. The company is founded in 2019 by Suhas Rajkumar, who claims to have a passion for EVs and sustainability.  The company launched its maiden e-scooter, Simple One, on August 15, 2021, at a price of INR 1.09 lakh. The e-scooter boasts of a certified range of 236 km, a peak power of 8.5 kW, a top speed of 105 km/h, and a boot space of 30 L. The company also plans to launch three more e-scooters and an e-car by 2025. However, despite the impressive features and the positive response from the customers, Simple Energy has not been able to deliver any e-scooters to the consumers yet.  Simple Energy’s sales figures for September 2023 tell a different story. According to some reports, Simple Energy delivered zero electric scooters in the month of September 2023, crashing down from the previous figures of 13 vehicles in August.  Month Sales June 10 July 13 Aug 14 Sept 0 This shows that the company has plunged into a state of confusion, leaving pre-booking customers and the general public bewildered. The report also cites some recent updates by Rajkumar on social media platforms and customer helplines, where he defended their delayed deliveries by saying that they didn’t expect such an overwhelming response from the customers and that they are facing some technical issues with their product. He also promised that their low-cost scooter model with fewer features for Tier 2 and 3 cities will hit production in a couple of weeks, and that they will install 2000 charging stations in 15 months. He also teased a mid-price segment concept car set to debut by 2025. These claims seem too ambitious and unrealistic given the current situation of Simple Energy. The company seems to be losing its focus on delivering its flagship product, Simple One, and instead diverting its attention to other projects that may or may not materialize. The customers who have pre-booked Simple One are left wondering if they will ever receive their e-scooters or if they have been duped by a fraudulent company. The credibility and reputation of Simple Energy are at stake, and it needs to act fast and transparently to regain the trust and confidence of its customers and stakeholders. Otherwise, it may end up as another failed EV startup that couldn’t live up to its promises. Simple Energy is not the only EV startup facing delivery challenges in India. Other players like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, and Bounce Infinity have also faced difficulties in meeting the demand for their e-scooters due to various factors such as component shortages, regulatory hurdles, infrastructure gaps, and consumer awareness.  The EV industry in India is still nascent and evolving, and it requires support from the government, the investors, and the consumers to overcome the challenges and achieve its potential. According to the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), the sales of electric two-wheelers in India increased by 158% in FY 2022-23, reaching 8.47 lakh units. This shows that there is a growing market for EVs in India, and Simple Energy hopes to capture a significant share of it by delivering its products as soon as possible. Note: All the information is taken from the open sources, All India EV is not liable for any information Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Bolt.Earth, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Collaborate to ease EV charging for 3-wheelers Bolt.Earth, the top provider of EV charging infrastructure in India, partnered with Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Ltd (MLMML), the country’s top producer of electric three-wheelers, to give EV consumers hassle-free access to charging stations today. Through this partnership, users can access Bolt.Earth charging stations via MLMML’s integrated NEMO Driver app. The NEMO Driver App, which has over 11 key functions, is presently changing the landscape of electric vehicles. Offering a wide variety of cutting-edge connected mobility experiences is its goal. By enabling the creation of a new generation of linked and shared services, this cloud-based platform actively promotes electric transportation. Bolt.Earth Over 150K consumers in India have had their energy needs met by Earth’s charging network, which has distributed over 1000Mwh of electricity. There are 4,700 recharge stations in all. This covers various tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 Indian cities as well as 4,700 charging stations in Bangalore, 3,500 in Delhi-NCR, 2,800 in Hyderabad, and other locations.Among these, over a thousand charging stations are designated for electric three-wheelers, and numerous more are constantly being installed. You can find them all by using the free NEMO Driver app from Google Play. Bolt.Earth’s Head of Strategy and Leadership, Raghav Bharadwaj, commented, “Bolt.Earth’s mission is to transform the EV landscape across geographies with easy-to-install charging infrastructure. Partnering with MLMML will echo our vision to establish India as the electric future hub in global markets. Our strategic collaboration will pave new ways for Indian EV users across pin codes to access our state-of-the-art charging infrastructure. We are excited to work with partners like Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Ltd towards our goal of powering India’s EV ecosystem.” Ms. Suman Mishra, MD and CEO of MLMML, commented on the affiliation, saying, “Our partnership with Bolt.Earth demonstrates our dedication to promoting a sustainable future for India.” Our commitment to promoting electric mobility and providing our clients with practical, environmentally friendly solutions is demonstrated by the noteworthy ramp-up of 1000 charging stations. About Bolt.Earth Bolt.Earth wants to encourage cleaner transportation in developing nations. With over 30,000 charging stations and still expanding, the firm is currently the biggest supplier of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure solutions in India! Bolt.Earth provides fleet operators, enterprises, real estate firms, individuals, and governmental entities with charging solutions. Visit bolt.earth for additional details about Bolt.Earth.  Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

e-Sprinto Embarks on an expansion spree, Opens 26 Dealership Showrooms Pan India New Delhi, October 18th 2023 – e-Sprinto, India’s leading electric two-wheeler brand, has embarked on a significant expansion spree, with the launch of 26 dealership showrooms across the country. This strategic move reflects e-Sprinto’s commitment to providing easy access to sustainable electric mobility solutions for consumers throughout India. e-Sprinto’s expansion plan includes dealership showrooms spread across various states of India. These showrooms are strategically scattered across North, West, and East India to ensure maximum accessibility for potential customers. All these dealerships have started operating fully and perfectly timed with the onset of the festive season. This timing aims to cater to the increased demand for electric two-wheelers during this period. The brand’s manufacturing unit is dedicated to crafting top-notch quality products with cutting-edge technology in electric two-wheelers, offering a one-stop solution for consumers seeking reliable, performance-oriented, and sustainable mobility options. e-Sprinto’s mission is to cater exclusively to the Indian e-mobility sector, addressing the growing need for eco-conscious transportation. e-Sprinto has been experiencing remarkable growth, having proudly achieved a 50% overall growth rate during the initial quarter of 2023. This growth is a testament to the brand’s strong market presence and the increasing preference among consumers for electric mobility options. Mr. Atul Gupta Co-Founder & Director – e-Sprinto commented on the expansion, saying, “We are thrilled to announce the opening of 26 dealership showrooms across India. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to providing accessible and sustainable electric mobility solutions to a wider audience. We look forward to serving our customers and contributing to a greener and cleaner India.” With this ambitious expansion, e-Sprinto aims to reach more consumers, raise awareness about the benefits of electric two-wheelers, and further strengthen its position as India’s fastest-growing electric two-wheeler brand. About e-Sprinto  e-Sprinto is the brainchild of Vinod Gupta, Atul Gupta, and Shalu Gupta. Together, they felt the need to take the enormous leap from ICE to E2W which would help people envision a better and healthier tomorrow. With the years-long experience and knowledge of Vinod Gupta and Atul Gupta, the visionary and innovative attitude of Shalu Gupta worked as magic to lay the foundation of e-Sprinto in March 2022. The brand’s manufacturing unit is dedicated to providing a one-roof solution in crafting top-notch quality products with cutting-edge technology in electric two-wheelers. E-Sprinto’s mission is to provide Reliable, Performance Oriented, Sustainable products catered exclusively for the Indian e-mobility sector. To know more visit: https://www.esprinto.in/ Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Reliance Commences Testing of Swappable EV Batteries Reliance Industries, a big company that does many different things, is making a big factory in Gujarat to make batteries for electric vehicles. They have started testing their batteries with BigBasket, an online shop that sells groceries, in Bangalore. They are making the batteries themselves with some parts that they buy from outside, they told pv magazine. Right now, they are focusing on electric vehicles that have two wheels, like scooters and bikes. They have set up places in Bangalore where people can change their batteries when they run out of power. People can use an app on their phone to find the nearest place and book it to swap their old battery with a new one. Reliance is running these places. The batteries can be charged with electricity from the grid or from solar panels. They can also be used with devices that can change the power to run things like fans, TVs, and fridges at home. Reliance has also made a new system that will help people use less electricity and save money. The system can measure how much electricity is used, control how it is used, and show it on an app. It can also decide which source of power to use, like the grid, the battery, the solar panel, or a generator. Reliance Industries is using two types of batteries for its big factory in India. One is called LFP and the other is called sodium-ion. They bought two companies that make these batteries, one from Netherlands and one from UK. Reliance chose LFP batteries because they do not use cobalt, which is a metal that is hard to get and very expensive. It also causes a lot of problems for people and the environment where it is mined. Most of the cobalt comes from a country in Africa called Congo. Some other types of batteries use cobalt and they are called NMC and LCO. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community Content Credit : PV Magzine

Omega Seiki Mobility ties up with Honda for battery swap tech, eyes 10K EVs in 2 years Omega Seiki Mobility a leading electric vehicle maker has inked a strategic partnership with Honda Power Pack Energy India to incorporate its swappable battery technology in its electric three-wheelers. As part of the understanding, Honda Power Pack Energy India, a subsidiary of the Honda Motor Co will provide Omega Seiki Mobility with its swappable batteries and establish a network of quick interchange stations in Tier 1 cities across India. Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman, of Omega Seiki Mobility said, “In joining forces with Honda Power Pack Energy India, we embark on a thrilling journey towards reshaping India’s electric mobility landscape. The swappable battery technology represents a paradigm shift, offering unparalleled efficiency and environmental advantages. It perfectly aligns with our vision of rapid, clean, and accessible electric transportation. This partnership is not just about mobility; it’s about empowerment, innovation, and a greener, more promising future for all of India.” “In the next two years, we intend to implement Honda e: Swap Technology in over 10,000 vehicles in the Passenger and Cargo segments,” added Narang. Tomohide Haraguchi, Vice President of Technology and OEM development, at Honda Power Pack Energy India said, “We sincerely welcome our collaboration with Omega Seiki Mobility, which is strategically and innovatively opening up the world of electric mobility in India. The lithium-ion battery technology and know-how that Honda has cultivated over many years in the global four-wheeler market were concentrated in this swappable battery pack called Honda Mobile Power Pack e:. This safe and reliable lithium-ion battery pack offering will surely accelerate the expansion of Omega Seiki Mobility’s sales expansion of innovative electric vehicles.” Auto rickshaw drivers can easily replace depleted batteries (Honda Mobile Power Pack e:) with fully charged ones at strategically placed battery stations, which are frequently found at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) gas stations and metro stations, according to Honda Power Pack Energy India. The Japanese company plans to create a vast network of battery exchange locations, starting in Bengaluru and working its way up to other Tier 1 cities. According to Omega Seiki Mobility, its next electric three-wheeler (passenger and cargo) will be fitted with clever swappable batteries from HEID, which make use of cutting-edge lithium-ion technology. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community Content Credit: Express Mobility

RACE Energy partners with Lohum to tackle EV battery waste Lohum, which became the first non-Chinese company to produce pure metallic lithium from recycling using its NEETM multi-stage hydrometallurgical energy transition material recycling technology in September this year, will recycle and refurbish more than 90% of the raw materials from RACE’s used batteries. Chetan Jain, Senior VP of Lohum, said: “This partnership with RACE allows us to increase the availability of clean energy transition materials for making new batteries through recycling and reduce the need for imported mined primary raw materials to power India’s rapidly growing EV ecosystem through repurposing.” RACE’s batteries will be given a second life in renewable energy storage, power backup, or possibly be reused for smaller EVs through the new partnership. Gautham Maheshwaran, Co-Founder of RACE Energy, said: “This partnership with Lohum helps us to prolong the life of swappable battery modules, which will be smoothly moved into beneficial second-life applications. The raw material recovered from the batteries will go into Li-ion cell production, thus creating a circular economy for EV batteries in India.” RACE Energy opened its battery manufacturing facility in Hyderabad in June – equipped with a 50MWh production plant with a capacity to deploy 30,000 batteries annually. The company claims its unique approach extends battery life by around 40% by equipping the battery and swap station with unique charging algorithms and internal cooling systems. About RACE Energy RACE Energy is a company that provides battery swapping solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) in India. It aims to make EVs more affordable and convenient for users by offering swappable battery modules that can be exchanged at its network of swap stations. RACE Energy also has its own battery manufacturing facility and vehicle monitoring platform About Lohum  Lohum is a company that makes, recycles, and reuses lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and other applications. It aims to make battery materials more sustainable, affordable, and secure by reducing the dependence on mining and importing raw materials. It also helps to prevent battery waste and greenhouse gas emissions by giving old batteries a second life Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community Content Credit: ETN