Sun Mobility, the leading provider of energy infrastructure and services for electric vehicles (EVs), created history by introducing the world’s first modular battery-swapping technology for Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs). The company in partnership with Bangalore-based, Veera Vahana, a leading bus manufacturer, launched India’s first 10.5 meters battery swappable buses for intercity and mofussil routes at Prawaas 4.0, an international conference organised by Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI). Same technology will work with all the vehicles of Veera Vahana.
Electrifying commercial fleets, especially heavy vehicles, is crucial for cutting emissions, improving air quality, and boosting the overall efficiency of the transportation sector. Sun Mobility’s tried and tested Smart Battery solution is suitable for light, medium and heavy trucks and buses, ranging from 3-tonne to 55-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
Battery swapping will bring down the upfront cost of the buses by 40%, matching the upfront cost of traditional ICE buses and this coupled with easy access to financing will break the entry barrier for adoption of EVs by fleet owners. Further, it reduces operational costs of fleet operators by upto20%, while increasing uptime and higher utilisation of buses owing to the swift swapping process of under three minutes. The compact and light form factor of the battery ensures higher payload-carrying capacities.
Today, buses and trucks form about 5% of the total vehicle population but contribute about 50% of the tailpipe emissions. 90% of the commercial vehicles segment is privately owned and given this sector is not subsidised, battery swapping can drive an additional 30% increase in EV adoption and play a vital role in achieving India’s goal of zero carbon emissions in heavy commercial vehicles.
“Sun Mobility has revitalised HEVs by overcoming major obstacles for bus operators such as high entry cost of ownership, exacerbated by inadequate HEV financing, extended downtime from lengthy charging periods, and significant strain of rolling out charging infrastructure. Our partnership with Veera Vahana marks a significant milestone as we introduce India’s first modular swapping technology that will provide a practical and cost-effective solution for operators, enhancing efficiency, and reducing operational costs,” said Ashok Agarwal, CEO- HEV, SUN Mobility.
“As one of the fastest-growing bus manufacturers in India, Veera Vahana has been setting new benchmarks in quality and innovation of transportation. We are proud to partner with world pioneers in battery swapping and leverage indigenous innovation and engineering potential to develop truly world-class electric mobility solutions,” said K Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director, Veera Vahana.
“Over the past 7 years, Sun Mobility has been leading the charge in revolutionizing the electric mobility sector, particularly with our solutions for the 2W and 3W segments. Our latest innovation for HEVs will disrupt the commercial vehicle sector and accelerate the electrification of this crucial segment, vital to the cargo and passenger transportation industry,” said Chetan Maini, Co-Founder and Chairman of SUN Mobility. “We are thrilled to pioneer this alongside Veera Vahana and confident that it will unlock a multi-billion dollar opportunity for OEMs, fleet operators, and financiers, and position India as a global pioneer and leader in transportation electrification models,” he added.
