Electric 3-wheeler market hots up as cos look at alternate mobility
Chennai: The electric threewheeler market is suddenly red hot right now as a host of technology startups and vehicle manufacturers look to enter alternative mobility. First, Chetan Maini co-founded Sun Mobility announced its tieup with Piaggio to launch electric Ape three wheeler variants on their swappable battery architecture. Now Bengaluru-based Altigreen is all set to roll out cargo and passenger three-wheelers based on their own patented drivetrain platform through ‘multiple’ OEM partnerships. While Amitabh Saran, CEO, Altigreen Propulsion Labs is tightlipped, industry sources say tieup talks are on with the likes of Bajaj Auto, Scooters India and Lohia Auto. Meanwhile OEMs like Lohia Auto say three-wheelers — including those on the Altigreen platform — will be their focus area for an electric mobility play. Altigreen, said Saran, is currently getting product type approvals from ARAI and the three wheelers, both cargo and passenger, should hit the market by February-March. “Commercial vehicle category becomes obvious choice for electrification because this segment is driven by rupee per kilometre. But the customer needs rugged variants for last mile connectivity which can match petrol, diesel, CNG versions in terms of price and performance,” he added. Mobility experts expect India’s roughly 8 lakh strong domestic three wheeler market to move to electric in the next decade. “Internal combustion version will continue to be manufactured for export market which is a good 40% of the total three wheeler sales in India,” said Ayush Lohia, CEO, Lohia Auto Industries.
