Chetan Maini, the man who revolutionised the Indian car industry by launching Reva Electric Car Company (now Mahindra Electric) in 1995, is back with new venture SUN Mobility.
Maini aims to address the challenges faced by electric vehicle companies like high cost, long charging time and lack of infrastructure.
“With the government aiming for India’s car, scooter and motorbike fleet to be 100% electric by 2030, SUN Mobility’s solution will offer smart batteries, quick interchange battery station based on a unique open architecture,” SUN Mobility Vice Chairman Chetan Maini told reporters.
For the last 24 months, the company is working on creating core intellectual property (IP), key technologies, creating partnerships with multiple stakeholders including initial conversations with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
“Over the next 18 months, we are going to be piloting our Smart Network across different products including two-wheeler, three-wheeler, passenger cars and electric buses in different cities. We believe that in the next two years post the pilot we will ready to scale up. A lot has to come together as it is a complex project,” Maini added.
When asked on how a consumer benefits, Maini said, “They can go electric with faster refuelling, lower cost and more convenience than a traditional diesel/petrol vehicle.”