Integrated electric mobility solutions provider, Magenta Mobility and Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle arm of Ashok Leyland, have entered into a strategic partnership for the deployment of electric cargo four-wheelers (with a payload capacity of 1,700 kg) in the last mile and mid-mile delivery segments.
As part of the arrangement, Magenta will procure 500 Switch IeV4 light electric trucks based on the Bada Dost platform over the next two years. Maxson Lewis, Founder and CEO, Magenta Mobility, and Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility, flagged off the first three IeV4s in the presence of multiple clients, emphasising the collective dedication of both the players – Magenta and Switch – to revolutionise the electric mobility landscape.
Speaking at the flag-off in Mumbai, Maxson Lewis, Founder and CEO, Magenta Mobility, expressed, "We are thrilled to join hands with Switch Mobility to accelerate our commitment to decarbonize logistics in India. This collaboration underscores our unwavering dedication to spearheading the transition towards safe, smart, and sustainable mobility solutions. With these e-LCVs, we will be able to offer an increased payload capacity to our clients. Combined with our existing fleet management, charging and technology platforms, we will be offering a strong opportunity for the logistics sector to go electric. This is just the beginning of our association and together, we aim to redefine the future of logistics in India.”
Mahesh Babu, CEO, SWITCH Mobility Ltd, said, “The strategic partnership with Magenta Mobility strengthens our commitment to a cleaner future. Renowned for their innovative approach to logistics, Magenta Mobility brings a data-driven perspective that perfectly complements our vision. This collaboration is more than just adding vehicles to Magenta’s fleet, it marks a pivotal moment in redefining the transportation paradigm by integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions to empower the future of mobility.”
Revealing that Switch Mobility will launch a seven-tonne and a 1.5-tonne electric cargo vehicle soon, Mahesh Babu averred, “An interesting part about the electric cargo or commercial vehicles is that they result in a substantial ‘take home’ after the five years of loan period is over. They are also less tiring to drive and therefore successful in recording a high uptime than their diesel equivalents.”
Providing a rare insight that the range of 250-300 km on a single charge is enough for electric cargo operators in the wake of a good charging infrastructure in the case of cargo vehicles, Lewis averred that e-trucks like the IeV4 align well with the company’s ambition to deploy 10,000 electric vehicles by September 2025. Currently it has approximately 4000 vehicles (electric) with a mix of electric three-wheelers and electric four-wheelers. “Besides e-commerce, there is demand for such vehicles from FMCG and pharmaceuticals,” added Lewis. “A big factor for this change has been the GST. It has led to formalisation of the surface transport sector where smaller players are being replaced by big fleets which are taking advantage of GST credit,” Lewis explained.
As small truck and bus operator get thrown out of the market, it is the bigger players are leveraging ‘data’ to ensure that they have an efficient way of operating the business and are agile all the time.
Every time it looks to expand to a new geography, Magenta Mobility takes its charging infrastructure partner Reliance (Jio) BP along.
What is helping logistics player like Magenta Mobility to include Switch electric truck into its fold is the technology that it offers. The CC2 type charger port of the IeV4 enables it to be charged at any charging station.
- 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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