The company also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several bus operators, signifying the growing interest in this technology.SUN Mobility unveiled India's first modular battery-swapping technology for heavy electric vehicles (HEVs) at an event in Chennai, attended by over 100 private bus operators and associations from Tamil Nadu. This technology aims to address challenges in electrifying commercial fleets, such as high ownership costs and limited charging infrastructure, by offering a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to traditional charging methods. The company also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several bus operators, signifying the growing interest in this technology.
Prawaas 4.0
SUN Mobility recently partnered with bus manufacturer Veera Vahana to showcase this solution at Prawaas 4.0, an international conference organised by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI). This demonstration generated substantial interest, with over 10,000 inquiries for buses, leading to a dedicated workshop for Tamil Nadu bus operators. The workshop explored SUN Mobility's offering, its cost benefits, and how it addresses operators' concerns regarding switching to cleaner fuels.
“SUN Mobility has transformed HEVs by addressing key challenges faced by bus operators, including high ownership costs, limited financing options, prolonged downtime due to lengthy charging, and the burden of deploying charging infrastructure. Our modular swapping technology offers a practical, cost-effective solution that boosts efficiency and lowers operational costs for operators,” said Ashok Agarwal, CEO- HEV, SUN Mobility.
Cost reduction due to battery swapping
Battery swapping reduces the initial bus cost by 40%, making it comparable to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) buses. This cost reduction, combined with improved financing accessibility, aims to encourage EV adoption among fleet owners. Operational costs are also projected to decrease by up to 20% due to increased uptime and bus utilisation, thanks to the swift three-minute swapping process.
Battery swapping is particularly well-suited for mofussil operations in Tamil Nadu, where buses make frequent trips with short intervals between them. This operational model is challenging for fixed-battery electric vehicles requiring longer charging times. The compact battery design also allows for greater payload capacity.
Buses and trucks comprise only 5% of the total vehicle population but account for 50% of tailpipe emissions. Given that 90% of commercial vehicles are privately owned and the cost-sensitive nature of this sector, battery swapping is positioned to significantly contribute to EV adoption, particularly for electric buses.
SUN Mobility has integrated over 26,000 vehicles across two, three, and small four-wheeler fleet segments since its inception in 2017. The company currently operates more than 650 battery swapping stations nationwide, facilitating around 1.6 million kilometers and 60,000 battery swaps daily, representing an 84% increase in utilisation compared to the previous year.
SUN Mobility JV with IndianOil
A strategic joint venture with IndianOil expands SUN Mobility’s reach by leveraging IndianOil’s network of over 37,000 fuel stations across India. This partnership aims to make battery swapping as accessible as traditional fueling, providing Battery as a Service (BaaS) nationwide. This approach seeks to address customer concerns about battery cost, obsolescence, maintenance, replacement, and charging time.
The joint venture with IndianOil strategically positions SUN Mobility to leverage a vast, pre-existing network of fuel stations across India. This partnership aims to seamlessly integrate battery swapping into the existing infrastructure, making it as convenient and accessible as conventional refueling. This strategy is crucial for widespread adoption, addressing consumer anxieties related to range, charging time, and battery maintenance. The Battery as a Service (BaaS) model further simplifies the transition for fleet owners by removing the burden of battery ownership, maintenance, and replacement. This comprehensive approach aims to accelerate the shift towards sustainable transportation in the commercial sector.
