Magazine

Last edition
October 2024

Home › Business ›Motovolt, Swobbee Join Forces to Establish 200 Battery-Swapping Stations in India

Motovolt, Swobbee Join Forces to Establish 200 Battery-Swapping Stations in India

This collaboration aims to tackle a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of electric two-wheelers.

December 21, 2023. By Abha Rustagi

Motovolt Mobility, a prominent electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India, has entered into a strategic partnership with Swobbee, a leading German climate-tech company, with the goal of deploying 200 battery-swapping stations nationwide.

This collaboration aims to tackle a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of electric two-wheelers – the high cost of batteries, which typically constitutes around 40 percent of the total vehicle cost.

In a move geared towards enhancing affordability and accessibility, Motovolt and Swobbee plan to establish a network of battery-swapping stations that will significantly reduce the financial burden on consumers, driving the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector in India.

The initial phase of this partnership involves the installation of two pilot stations, slated to be operational by March 2024, with locations earmarked for Delhi and Kolkata. These pilot stations will be funded by Motovolt. If the pilot proves successful, the partners have outlined an ambitious plan to roll out the remaining 198 stations within the next two years, potentially exploring a joint venture for implementation.

Swobbee's CEO and co-founder, Thomas Duscha, explained that charging fees will follow a per-kilometer usage model, offering a cost advantage of 15-20 percent over conventional charging methods.

The long-term vision includes generating over USD 10 million in revenue and achieving profitability within five years, with the investment to be funded through a debt-equity mix of 70:30. Discussions are currently underway with both domestic and international private banks.

Motovolt Mobility's CEO, Tushar Choudhary, underscored the universal design of the battery-swapping stations, ensuring compatibility with various Low Energy Vehicle (LEV) battery types from different manufacturers and accommodating diverse technologies. This approach aims to make the stations versatile, catering to a broad spectrum of electric two-wheelers and expanding their accessibility to a larger consumer base.

Tags:

Business

Motovolt Mobility

Swobbee

Battery-swapping stations