EV start-up Dandera Ventures today launched Otua, an electric three-wheeler designed for cargo transportation. The company claims many industry-leading features, including highest volume, highest-load carrying capacity of 900kg and the longest range of 165 kilometres on a single charge.

The Otua, which is priced between Rs 350,000 to Rs 550,000, will also be available on a subscription basis. Dandera Ventures has targeted the Otua at logistics and last-mile delivery companies. However, it will also be available for retail purchase by individual drivers or owners in select markets across India.

Dandera says the Otua has been designed completely from the ground up as an EV and is a 100% indigenous product, with all parts and components, including the batteries and drivetrain, designed and manufactured in India.

Kshitij Bajaj, founder and CEO of Dandera Ventures said, “Otua raises the bar for everything that last-mile delivery drivers and fleet owners have come to expect from a cargo EV. From world-class and industry-leading driver ergonomics and safety to outright performance in terms of range, volume, capacity, Otua is the first cargo EV to offer an uncompromising vision of transitioning to sustainable mobility for the global logistics and last mile delivery industry.”

The Indian last-mile delivery and logistics industry is witnessing exponential growth and is set to grow to a $5 billion market over the next couple of years. The industry is consciously moving towards EVs and other sustainable mobility solutions as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. 

Kanav Manchanda, co-founder and COO of Dandera Ventures said, “Dandera is committed to not just support, but also fast-track the logistics industry’s transition to sustainable mobility with its industry-leading portfolio of commercial EVs. Both Otua, and Dandera, have been developed to set new standards in the EV industry.”

As per the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (FAME) policy in the FY2023 Budget document, the Indian government is supporting the growth of the EV industry through subsidies, favourable regulations, and policies, 100% FDI approval, increased push for battery R&D, and improved charging infrastructure.