Bengaluru
SUN Mobility, the leading provider of energy infrastructure and services for electric vehicles (EVs), created history today 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 organized 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 BatteryTM 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 up to 20%, while increasing uptime and higher utilization 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 subsidized, 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.
