Dao EVTech, a Chinese electric scooter manufacturing company formed by a group of professionals from the USA, China and India, has announced its entry into India. The company, with its registered India office in Hyderabad, claims to have over 20 years of manufacturing experience and currently produces 1.5 million electric two-wheelers per annum in China.

Over the past three days, the company showcased its electric two-wheelers, targeted at urban riders, at the Electric Vehicle Technology Expo, which concluded at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi today. The product pitched for the Indian market is the Dao scooter with its highlight, according to the company, being an "advanced LFP battery, high-speed technology with IoT-empowered application."

A Dao EVTech spokesperson said, "We understand the needs of the urban rider and thus we ensured that every possible feature should be added for their comfortable and uninterrupted ride. The technical team of Dao is confident they have equipped the vehicles for Indian road conditions. The huge effort by the government of India, supplemented by the industry, will address whatever charging issues presently faced by units."

Three riding modes, 120km range for Dao e-scooter
According to the company website, Dao e-scooters bear the acronym CARES (Collision Protection System, Auto Control System, Reverse Mode, Emergency Rescue System, Smart Lighting System).  The e-scooter, which is powered by a 72 Volt lightweight battery, has three riding modes: Economy, Sports and Turbo.

Typical of a smart scooter, it has a high level of connectivity which allows the rider to monitor data in real-time (estimated riding range, trip analytics, navigation and geofencing), conduct diagnostic checks and daily use statistics straight from his/her mobile phone.

20 launch markets in Phase 1 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
It is understood that Dao EVTech's India launch plans will begin initially with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the first phase, and progress to the entire country by 2020.

Twenty markets for launch have already been identified, based on in-depth research and based on benchmark, competition and market analysis, according to the company. They include Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Vijayawada, Srikakulam, Rajahmundry, Warangal, Mancherial, Anantapur, Tirupati, Ongole, Nalgonda, Sangareddy, Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor, Nizamabad, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Nellore and Vizianagaram.

The company says its "global presence and influence helps to get the right product and the best of the technologies available across the globe to India. We source smart technology from USA, product technology from China and are capable of accessing across the globe to get the finest of the product and services."

Dao EVTech is scouting for channel partners or dealers in India with a showroom space of 800 to 1,000 square feet. Among the criteria it is looking for potential dealer-entrepreneurs is those who "believe in technology and smart mobility, passion to promote electric vehicles".

Dao EV Tech says it will "work closely with our dealership to provide management support, best practices, time to time training for the betterment of the dealership and profitability." It says that "exclusive support will be provided for free to the first 25 dealerships for 2 years."

Technical Specifications
Motor type: BLDC
Rated power: 1500 W
Battery: Li-ion 72v 30AH
Charging time: 3-4 hours
Range: 120km
Riding modes: Economy: 38kph / Sports: 45kph / Turbo: 49kph)
Dimensions: 1760/700/1150mm
Suspension: Front: Hydraulic telescopic / Rear: Telescopic with dual tube
Brakes: Discs, front and rear
Wheelbase: 1360mm
Ground clearance: 160mm
Tyres:  Front: 90/90-10 / Rear: 90/70-12 tubeless
Loading capacity 150kg
Warranty: 3 years / 30,000km