Power Global has confirmed that it is to supply its eZee swappable lithium-ion battery technology to Hyderabad-based autorickshaw manufacturer Rap Eco Motors for its mass-market electric three-wheeler product line. The product range comprises a passenger autorickshaw, delivery van and cargo vehicle.

Following an initial product launch in April 2022, the companies will partner to manufacture 50,000 electric autorickshaws over the next five years, advancing both companies’ roadmaps for loalised manufacturing. 

Rap Eco Motors, it is understood, sells e-rickshaws in India as well as in countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. The Ranie range, built using Power Global’s 48-volt swappable eZee battery module, allows Rap Eco Motors to leapfrog the costly and time-consuming process of developing an in-house electrification solution. Compared to existing fossil fuel-powered auto-rickshaws on the road today, each Ranie vehicle is expected to cut CO2e emissions by 3.7 metric tons annually and eliminate NOx and PM tailpipe emissions that contribute to air pollution. 

“In the world’s largest three-wheeler market, we feel a collective responsibility to commercialise a sustainable and clean solution,” said  Parmod Chabria, co-founder, Rap Eco Motors. “Our complementary footprints across Northern India and Southern India prime us for critical national expansion, which will help spur the country’s adoption of more economical, less polluting transportation for thousands of drivers.” 

Power Global’s domestic battery production plant in Greater Noida is slated to be the country’s largest leading in-country manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, capable of producing 400,000 modules annually. Supporting India’s FAME II mandates, which are driving OEMs to develop electrification solutions, Power Global aims to deploy 10,000 batteries and light mobility electric retrofit kits supported by their battery swapping network by the end of 2022.

“For India to successfully capture a bigger market share of the light e-mobility sector, we need to onshore all components of electric autorickshaw manufacturing in-country. Rap Eco Motors has already dominated the regional market through its ambitious business strategy and shares our mutual vision for ‘made in India’ electrification solutions,” said Pankaj Dubey, CEO of Power Global’s India subsidiary. “We feel privileged to help chart their course toward national growth, and we believe our companies’ close collaboration will deliver a cleaner, more cost-effective electrified solution for auto-rickshaw drivers everywhere and strengthen our local economies. As we like to say, ‘Made in India, for India'.”