Besides e-commerce, parcel and courier, FMCG, industrial goods, organised retail, white goods, beverages and LPG, Switch Mobility is looking at municipal applications for functions such as waste management and tipping on the back of inquiries. The company is also looking at container (reefer) applications for its IeV 3 and IeV 4 against inquires. 

As electric vehicles with a payload of 1,200 kg and 1,700 kg respectively, the IeV 3 and IeV 4 make zero tailpipe emission vehicles in an urban landscape that are considerably less costly to operate. What is interesting is that the IeV 4 with a payload of 1,700 kg is in a ‘spot’ where there is no competition. It is competing with ICE vehicles like the Ashok Leyland Bada Dost (with which it shares the platform) and the Mahindra Bolero Pik-up range, promising in-turn a much lower operating cost. 

The higher initial acquisition cost a challenge, the Switch IeV 3 and IeV 4 are backed by a three-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and five-year/150,000 km battery warranty. While the battery of the IeV 4 takes four hours to charge with a 32 Ampere AC charger and eight hours with a 15 Ampere AC Charger, the battery of the IeV 3 takes three hours 30 minutes to charge with a 32 Ampere AC charger and eight hours and 15 minutes to charge with a 15 Ampere AC charger.

Observing that the company has gained a good understanding of the market and customers with more than 600 inquiries and delivery of over 300 vehicles, Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility, during a media interaction in Chennai averred, “For the IeV 3, we have got over 105 inquiries.” 

Observing that the electric cargo three-wheeler market is about 2,000-3,000 units per month, Mahesh Babu explained that what needs to be considered in the case of electric cargo vehicles is the salary of the driver which is going up among other factors such as the turnaround time. “If the turnaround time is less, the driver salary, loan EMI etc. will be lower and attract a shift to e-trucks of about one-tonne payload capacity that could carry between 50 to 200 parcels,” he added. 

Stating that the cost per parcel will be economical and the e-truck could be deployed for more than one application, Mahesh Babu said, “The ‘leap of faith’ will be done by fleet operators (as organised players) since the technology is new.” “Retail buyers will start once they see the proof of economics,” he added. 

Stressing that this happened in electric three-wheelers and will happen in electric four-wheelers as well, Mahesh Babu articulated, “The FAME subsidy is needed to accelerate EV adoption, which is at less than one percent.” “As an industry, we are preparing to survive without subsidies. From April, whatever we have sold is without subsidy, proving that our products offer value,” he added.   

Confident of getting good numbers by the end of this fiscal through existing and new new applications such as municipal waste management, tipping and reefer container (for perishable goods), Switch Mobility is working with multiple customers and indulging in concept sale rather than a walk-in sale. 

About 8,000 to 10,000 km of test drives are carried out every month with demo vehicles at the dealers by the company as part of its concept sale strategy.

TI Clean Mobility, part of the Murugappa Group, has appointed Jalaj Gupta as the new Managing Director.  

The auto industry veteran in his last position was the Business Head for Commercial Vehicles at Mahindra Group. He has around 29 years of experience in the automotive industry with expertise in business strategy, product development, sales, marketing, and vendor management.

Gupta an alumnus of Punjabi University and IMT Ghaziabad has also held leadership roles at Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.

Prior to Gupta, TI Clean Mobility was led by Kalyan Kumar Paul, who served as the Managing Director with over 30-years of career with Tube Investments of India (TII) Group, which is part of the Murugappa Group. Paul had retired from the company in October 2024.

TI Clean Mobility, the electric vehicle business of the Murugappa Group, currently sells electric three-wheelers under the Montra brand and is also set to enter the electric small commercial vehicle (e-SCV) and electric tractor space. 

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra has unveiled the teaser sketches of its upcoming electric origin SUVs – the BE 6e and XEV 9e ahead of the November 26 debut.

Based on the Heartcore design philosophy, the BE 6e and XV 9e are completely new pure electric vehicles designed by the company, which it believes will disrupt the passenger vehicle segment.

The company is betting big on the upcoming EVs as they encapsulate dynamic styling, premium materials, and progressive proportions.

Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Heartcore Design is about creating an emotional bond with our customers through design. Prepare to fall in love with our Electric Origin SUVs.”

Montra Electric, a brand owned by Tl Clean Mobility Pvt Ltd, has praised the Government of India for the continuation of subsidy support for the electrification of last-mile mobility under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme.

Roy Kurian, Business Head, Montra Electric (Last Mile Division), said, “Montra Electric sincerely thanks the Ministry of Heavy Industry, Govt of India for ensuring continuity of the subsidy support to last-mile mobility. This crucial support will help the industry navigate challenges and further speed up the shift to electric last-mile solutions.”

The PM E-DRIVE Scheme was launched on 29 September 2024. The scheme was put into effect on 1 October 2024 and will continue until 31 March 2026. Furthermore, EMPS-2024, the number of vehicles and the spending under EMPS-2024 for e-2w and e-3w being implemented from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 are being subsumed under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme; hence, the scheme's effective time will be two years.

Pure EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, a subsidiary of Clarion Investment LLC, with an aim to expand its presence across the Middle East and African regions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pure EV will provide Arva Electric with a first shipment of 50,000 of its flagship models, the eTryst X and ecoDryft, over the next couple of years. Pure EV's position in these developing markets is anticipated to be cemented when the supply rises to 60,000 units per year after this initial phase. Pure EV will be Arva Electric's key technology partner in addition to supplying motorcycles, offering knowledge and assistance all the way through the distribution process. Pure EV will uphold all intellectual property rights pertaining to the bikes in order to safeguard unique technology as they increase their market share.

Dr Nishanth Dongari, Founder and Managing Director, Pure EV, said, “Our commitment to innovation and user experience ensures that we provide market-ready offerings and meet the growing demand for electric mobility solutions. This partnership not only aims to enhance sales but also to foster sustainable mobility solutions in regions where electric motorcycles are rapidly gaining traction, marking a significant step towards expanding our footprint in Middle East and African markets. By leveraging our strengths and capabilities together with Arva Electric, we are poised to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle landscape globally.”

Aniyan Kutty, Managing Director, Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, said, “We are pleased to partner with Pure EV, as their expertise in R&D and cutting-edge technology helps in building efficient and reliable 2W products. Both the companies are committed to promoting eco-friendly mobility solutions with an aim to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental sustainability in these regions.”