When it comes to mobility, every person has a different need. And the existing solutions on the market aren’t always enough to meet certain specific needs. Mumbai-based start-up Dispatch Vehicles worked on this problem area, and has developed a modular electric two-wheeler that customers can spec as they want to.
Every component of the vehicle – from energy systems to powertrain to the accessories needed for business applications – is modular in nature. These can be altered as per the business’ or the individual’s requirement, said Rajit Arya, CEO, Dispatch Vehicles and Navneeth Kannan, CPO, Dispatch Vehicles.
The company started operations in February 2020 and is lining up the launch of Dispatch by 2022. Currently the product is in the testing and validation stage, and the duo is confident of meeting the market launch timeline.
Modularity is key
The e2W has been designed for a maximum loading capacity of 200-250 kg. It is designed to serve a number of purposes – it can be used as a last mile delivery vehicle, and also for ride sharing and personal use.
Additionally, the vehicle is designed to be equipped to work for applications like police first responders, bike ambulances and all kinds of emergency services. The product will initially be available as a last mile delivery and ride sharing vehicle, said the company. Further, the company is also working on designs to turn Dispatch into a vending machine, so vendors can park the scooter and open a food stand in any remote location.
Talking about production, the CEO said, “We will be making a few components in-house and a lot of components will come from suppliers and they will come together on the assembly line.” The e2W manufacturer plans to sell about 10,000 to 12,000 vehicles in their first year of production and the numbers are expected to triple each year.
“We are currently focused on fleet mobility. And that includes multiple delivery applications ranging from food, e-commerce, courier services to rideshare and bike taxis,” Arya said.
Focus on building a charging network
Along with its focus on modularity, Dispatch is keen on building a charging ecosystem using swappable batteries. “We need to think about the security of the batteries. We feel it would be right to set-up swappable battery stations at the hubs, where the delivery riders would generally congregate,” Kannan explained.
Along with the battery swapping option the vehicle would also be configured to be charged with AC charging as well as DC fast charging. The fleet can spec the vehicle the way they want to run it – opt for battery swapping, or take up the AC/DC charging model, the CPO added.
Conclusion
Although the price of the Dispatch has not yet been confirmed yet, the company said that modularity will help optimise the vehicle so the customer only has to pay for what they want to fit into the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Dispatch is also collaborating with leasing partners, who will offer the product to fleets and individuals on lease, while an ownership model is also available. The company claims to have MoUs executed with a few companies. “Depending on who is signing up for the alpha and beta programmes, we are in talks with multiple fleet providers across the nation,” Arya said.