It is early afternoon as the Shatabdi train rolls into Amritsar from Delhi. An army of electric passenger three-wheelers greet the travellers as they come out the station and head to their respective destination. The other choice the travellers who have walked out of the station is the bigger diesel autorickshaws. Ironically, the diesel autorickshaws that can seat more passengers have been slowly making space for the electric three-wheelers because the latter are starting to make a more viable business case.
First is the ability of many to beat the higher entry barrier of diesel autorickshaws in terms of the acquisition price. The second is the running cost of a diesel rickshaws per day, which is more than that of an electric passenger three-wheeler. Third is the lower maintenance of an electric three-wheeler as compared to the that a diesel autorickshaw. Petrol or CNG autorickshaws are still not preferred in many Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for reasons that are more on the side of perception than actual. The CNG autorickshaws especially have been known for their unreliable operation when the respective technology was just getting off the ground in the country.
Interestingly, the tiny streets and bylanes of Amritsar make a case for the seemingly punny electric passenger three-wheelers over their wider and mightier looking counterparts with IC engines. This is not just the case with Amritsar, which is one of the bigger cities in India, but with many other cities – smaller Tier 3 cities were earning potential and purchasing power is less. The electric passenger three-wheelers and electric cargo three-wheelers finding higher acceptance in smaller cities as they beat the conventional auto rickshaws in operating costs per day and per month, it should not come as a surprise that that electric vehicles have been witnessing a strong growth. The basis of operating costs per day and per month is driving a shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles in both the commercial and personal domain. In the personal vehicle domain, it is the electric two-wheelers that are leading the charge.
In 2022, they witnessed strong growth in India in particular – to the tune of a threefold sales increase almost. The official data for 2022 shows that Indians bought 27.8 billion EVs since January 2023 at an average of more than 90,000 EVs per month. Amit Bhatt, Managing Director for India, International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT), expressed, “Smaller cities have the potential to become strong drivers of India's clean energy revolution. The adoption of EVs in these cities can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the ongoing nationwide efforts to combat air pollution and climate change. Transitioning to EVs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will also help in lessening India’s dependence on fossil fuels, cutting down on import bills, and reducing air pollution. This shift will create a self-reliant and sustainable energy ecosystem that will contribute significantly to the country's economic growth.”
“The adoption of EVs in smaller cities will create new business opportunities and job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, supply chain, and charging infrastructure. This, in turn, will drive the economic growth and development of these regions. Wide-scale participation of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India’s EV transition will help greatly in creating a greener nation. To ensure that this happens, it is essential to address challenges such as the lack of charging infrastructure; the need for greater awareness among consumers; and the need to develop local supply chains and manufacturing capabilities for EVs,” he added.
Sharif Qamar, Associate Director and Area Convenor, Transport and Urban Governance Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), reckoned, there are seven areas of focus for accelerating adoption of EVs across different geographies – institutional and policy readiness; infrastructure readiness; technology readiness; economic readiness; social readiness; environmental readiness; and innovation readiness.
“It is an incredibly steep technology curve that the industry has traversed in the past 6-7 years. This has enhanced the comfort, trust, and reliability of the EV ecosystem in the eyes of consumers, for all vehicle segments – three-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses, and small commercial vehicles – albeit at different levels. As the penetration of renewable energy in the power grid increases, the efficacy of EV technology in dealing with well-to-wheel emissions will be higher and its contribution to climate goals greater,” he explained.
As per the official estimates by ICCT, an ambitious vehicle electrification pathway – under which EVs could reach 95 percent of all new vehicle sales by 2040 – can help in reducing tailpipe emissions by 18-50 percent, depending on the pollutant. Other than the factor of operating costs, the rise in EVs in India is also influenced by central government incentives and policies, including the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles scheme, state-level EV policies, declining costs of EV batteries, technology advancements and growing investments by domestic and international players in EV manufacturing and charging infrastructure.
Image source: @ImrajAhmed9
- Montra Electric
- Tube Investment of India
- TII
- Murugappa Group
- electric vehicle
- electric Small Commercial Vehicle
- e-SCV
- Vellayan Subbiah
- TIVOLT Electric Vehicles
- TI Clean Mobility
Murugappa Group’s TIVOLT Electric Vehicles set to launch e SCV under Montra Electric brand
- by MT Bureau
- May 13, 2024
TIVOLT Electric Vehicles, part of Murugappa Group and a subsidiary of TI Clean Mobility, is gearing up to launch an e-Small Commercial Vehicle (e-SCV).
Once launched, the vehicle is expected to bring about a significant change in India's mid-mile and last-mile mobility sectors, thanks to its cutting edge technology, distinctive design, strong performance, and durable build quality. The company says the development of the e- SCV will be a culmination of extensive research and rigorous testing.
Founded in February 2022 as a subsidiary of Tube Investments of India (TI), TICMPL is foussing on clean mobility solutions. With the inclusion of e-SCVs as its fourth EV platform, TICMPL is now positioned to offer complete mobility solutions to enterprises and logistics companies, serving their needs across intercity, intracity, and last-mile applications.
Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Vice Chairman, TII said “Montra Electric represents our commitment to enhancing life through eco-friendly mobility solutions, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation for us. The electric vehicle industry is experiencing an exciting phase of development, not only in India but globally as well. We have dedicated our top resources and time to develop this product, and we are looking forward to the customer response upon its launch in the coming months. At Montra Electric, our goal is to offer products and solutions that are beneficial for both our customers and our business, ensuring practicality and sustainability.”
He further stated that India is poised to lead the global adoption of electric vehicles, second only to China.
“TICMPL is making impressive strides in the electric vehicle sector with a substantial commitment of INR 3,000 crore. Currently, we are developing four platforms, including the successful MHCV truck and electric three-wheeler already in the market. What excites me the most is our upcoming Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) platform. SCV represents the largest category in the commercial vehicle segment, making our entry into this arena particularly thrilling. This segment is primed to adopt EVs swiftly, supported by policies, government initiatives, and increasing adoption rates. Our dedication to becoming the foremost player in this segment in India is unwavering. The TIVOLT e-SCV is poised to be a standout product, a definite winner in the market,” concluded Vellayan Subbiah.
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Add Comment- Mahindra Last Mile Mobility
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Sets Up Three-Wheeler EV Charging Stations In Mumbai Suburbs
- by MT News
- February 22, 2023
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility (LMM), a division of the Mahindra & Mahindra Group, has set up several charging stations near autorickshaw stands, auto driver home clusters and junctions. LMM has done this through strategic charging vendors. The division has done so to boost EV penetration in Mumbai and its suburbs.
Chargers have also been installed at Mahindra outlets and Mahindra Mitra Technician spots wherein customers can charge their three-wheelers. The charging points have been positioned in strategic locations like Malad, Kandivali, Mira Road, Navi Mumbai, Vasai, Virar, Andheri and so on. This is an ongoing process and the Mahindra team, along with key stakeholders, has identified additional charging spots in and around Mumbai and with due approvals, will commence work. The auto driver partners, too, have been notified of these additional charging points.
In addition to this, more than 60 mechanics have been trained by LMM’s service personnel to handle Mahindra three-wheeler EVs.
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Six robust DC fast EV charging stations have been installed at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). They are available for service as Public Charging Stations (PCS) for passengers as well as guests visiting the airport.
The EV station at Terminal 1 is at P1 - Multi-level Car Parking (MLCP). At Terminal 2, it is at P5 – MLCP. There is another station at the Airside of Terminal 2 as well. The owners of private EVs and commuters who will avail of the charging stations at MLCP in either terminals will be billed only for the charging sessions. They will be given a deduction against the parking fees.
Adhering to all the requirements, policies and protocols outlined by the regulators, the charging stations at either terminal of CSMIA are of the CCS Type II Dual Gun 60 kW and GB/T (DC 001) Dual Gun 40 kW Charger type and compatible with all the prevailing EV cars in the country. There would be augmentation of 60 kW and 240 kW capacity EV chargers to cater to the needs of Airside logistics.
CSMIA runs on 100 percent renewable energy with its onsite solar power plant, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) and procures green power. For EV charging, the airport will source 100 percent green power, according to sources in the know of the development.
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Add Comment- BluSmart
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
- MS Dhoni
- Cricket
- Sumant Sinha
- Sameer Tirkar
- responsAbility Investments
- Punit Goyal
BluSmart raises INR 2 billion in pre-Series B Round
- by MT Bureau
- July 15, 2024
BluSmart, a leading electric vehicle cab service and EV charging infrastructure network company, has raised $24 million (INR 2 billion) in pre-Series B funding round.
The company saw investment from responsAbility Investments (a leading impact asset manager); Sumant Sinha (a leading player in the Renewable Energy sector); MS Dhoni Family Office (former Indian cricket team captain); existing investors and BluSmart founders.
The funding the company says will be deployed to expand its operations in India, as well as grow its EV charging infrastructure and assets.
Interestingly, the company claims it has grown its fleet of 70 electric vehicles in January 2019 to 7,500 EVs plying across Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. Its EVs have clocked over half a billion (500+ million) electric kms and delivered over 16 million electric trips saving nearly 40 million kgs of CO2 emissions since launch. The company has over 9,800 driver partners and also operates one of the largest EV charging infrastructure with 50 EV Charging Hubs spread across 2 million sqft.
BluSmart states it recently crossed INR 5.5 billion ARR ($65 million Annual Revenue Run-rate).
Punit Goyal, Co-Founder, BluSmart said, “BluSmart is building an integrated energy-infrastructure, mobility and technology company to take the full advantage of the EV revolution. Our latest fundraise of $24 million is an important step in our journey to scale the e-mobility fleet and EV Charging Infrastructure.”
Sameer Tirkar, Head of Climate Infrastructure Investments APAC at responsAbility Investments AG said, “We are happy to continue our partnership with BluSmart through our second round of funding. BluSmart has been able to lead the way in building from the grounds up an entire EV ecosystem to disrupt the conventional modes of commute without compromising on reliability and convenience. We believe in their vision and capabilities in creating positive environmental and social impact by reducing carbon emissions in urban transportation.”
Sumant Sinha said, “The future of mobility is electric, and e-mobility is a crucial step in making the shift to cleaner, emissions-free transportation. India’s growing economy and favourable policies provide ample impetus to this transition. I am excited to partner with BluSmart in their growth journey.”
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