Exide Industries, one of the country’s largest stored energy solutions providers, today announced its entry into India's burgeoning e-rickshaw market by launching its first model called 'Exide Neo'.  The e-rickshaw is being launched in select markets in India and will be available through its exclusive network of dealers, the company says.

Exide Industries says the marketing and service network for the Neo e-rickshaw has been already put in place in select markets. Exide Neo will be gradually available across the country in a phased manner. 

Gautam Chatterjee, MD and CEO, Exide Industries, said: “The e-rickshaw category has seen phenomenal growth in India in the last few years and we have been an integral part of it since inception, through our offerings of robust lead-acid batteries. We see a tremendous opportunity to now offer a complete, technologically advanced package to the e-rickshaw operator that will be reliable with the least downtime.”

The company says the Exide Neo offers superior technology, longer runs and a comfortable ride.

Subir Chakraborty, deputy MD, Exide Industries, said: “The e-rickshaw market, despite its exponential growth, has been plagued by the absence of a large organised sector player. This has led to inferior quality, unreliable products, leading to long downtime for the operators which often make it unviable for them. Through our entry into this space, we wish to bring the strength of a very large organisation and its huge network to benefit the operator.”

Through its tailor-made batteries for the e-rickshaw market, Exide says it is one of the first branded battery makers that has brought a product exclusively for this sector. Exide enjoys a reputation of having reliable  products and offering multiple choices in both tubular and flat plate technologies. 

Arun Mittal, director — Automotive, Exide Industries said: “Having worked with e-rickshaw operators for a long time, we used the experience and knowledge to design the most suitable vehicle for the Indian conditions that would offer an enhanced and completely packaged solution to customers. Features like the rearview camera, LCD instrumentation panel and critical safety enhancement features like ABS roofing and high quality steel-reinforced front panel have been incorporated in the Exide Neo.”

Exide Industries is the country’s largest manufacturer of lead acid storage batteries and power storage solutions. It has seven manufacturing plants and offers a comprehensive range of batteries for automotive and industrial applications. Exide also has manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka and conducts business globally  through its subsidiaries and international affiliates. Some of its products are sold globally, particularly in developed markets like Australia, Japan and Western Europe, under their own brand names.