
SUN Mobility, a pioneer in energy infrastructure for electric vehicles, conducted a workshop in Chennai to showcase India’s first modular battery-swapping technology for Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs). Over 100 private bus operators and associations from Tamil Nadu attended the event, which highlighted the transformative potential of battery-swapping solutions in electrifying commercial fleets.
Key Highlights from the Workshop
- Technology Showcase: The event detailed SUN Mobility’s battery-swapping technology for HEVs, developed in partnership with Veera Vahana, a prominent bus manufacturer.
- Cost Benefits: Discussions emphasized a 40% reduction in upfront costs, bringing EVs closer in cost to ICE buses, and 20% operational savings for fleet operators.
- Efficiency and Uptime: The swift swapping process, taking under three minutes, enables buses to maintain high trip frequencies, critical for mofussil operations with limited downtime.
- Scalability: SUN Mobility signed MOUs with leading bus operators, signaling growing acceptance of battery-swapping as a viable solution for heavy-duty EV adoption.
Why Battery-Swapping Matters for Heavy EVs
- Emission Reduction: HEVs make up just 5% of the vehicle population but contribute to 50% of tailpipe emissions. Battery swapping can drive a significant shift towards greener mobility.
- Cost-Effective Transition: By lowering entry barriers for fleet operators, the solution democratizes EV adoption in a cost-sensitive commercial sector.
- Operational Compatibility: The compact, lightweight batteries enable higher payloads and uninterrupted service, critical for routes requiring frequent trips with minimal breaks.
SUN Mobility’s Growing Footprint
- 26,000+ vehicles onboarded across two, three, and small four-wheeler segments.
- 650+ battery-swapping stations nationwide, enabling 60,000 daily swaps and clocking 1.6 million kilometers per day.
- A strategic partnership with IndianOil leverages its vast network of 37,000 fuel stations, enhancing accessibility to Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions.
Leadership Perspective
Ashok Agarwal, CEO-HEV, SUN Mobility:
“SUN Mobility addresses key challenges like high ownership costs, lengthy charging times, and limited financing options. Our modular battery-swapping technology offers a cost-effective, practical solution that maximizes efficiency and lowers operational costs for bus operators.”
Battery swapping is poised to revolutionize heavy EV adoption, enabling sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable solutions for fleet operators, ensuring India’s transition to greener mobility.