The Indian e2W maker, Hero Electric, has partnered with SUN Mobility to deploy 10,000 electric 2Ws integrated with the latter’s smart-swappable battery technology by the end of FY23. Under this partnership, Hero Electric’s customers can access the battery swapping network of SUN Mobility.
According to the press release from the EV maker, this is in line with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement to introduce a battery swapping policy during the Union Budget and recognise battery as a service to accelerate EV adoption in India.
The JV aims to create an ecosystem where the customer has access to the latest battery technologies throughout the product lifecycle without incurring repetitive purchase costs. They would also collaborate on innovative financing options making it easier for customers to go electric, the release added.
Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Electric, said that battery swapping is emerging as a good catalyst for the exponential growth of the E two-wheelers in India. It reduces the upfront cost of buying a two-wheeler, eliminates the range anxiety and the apprehensions about the useful life of the batteries. It certainly makes much sense for the B2B customers as the swapping stations can be placed in the working zones for the riders to run their bikes without waiting for the recharging of the batteries. As this concept evolves, it will also become an attractive proposition for retail customers.
“We have now developed E two-wheelers that will seamlessly integrate with SUN Mobility’s hi-tech swapping stations so as to give years of trouble-free performance of the composite solution. Through this partnership, we will be offering a variety of solutions to the customers suiting their needs and giving them the ultimate pleasure of adopting eco-friendly economical and convenient mobility solutions,” he added.
Chetan Maini, Co-Founder and Chairman of SUN Mobility, said, “The confluence of Hero Electric’s futuristic vision on understanding the EV space and the pros of the battery swapping technology, along with the government’s commendable initiatives to come up with tangible policies, will definitely augur well with our common goal to accelerate the demand and adoption of EVs in the country.”