Leasing of lithium-ion batteries for 3-wheelers to be rolled out soon in Kolkata
Kolkata and surrounding areas, e-rickshaws, popularly known as 'toto', are set to be powered by lithium-ion batteries with the rolling out of a battery leasing model, officials said on Sunday. Neuron Energy, a lithium-ion battery maker, has joined hands with Urja Mobility to spearhead the leasing model which has so far been heard only in the business-to-business EV sector, they said.
«We're kick-starting this journey from Bengal, offering lithium-ion batteries for e-rickshaws on a lease model with our financing partner, Urja Mobility. Our sights are set on expanding to other markets soon,» said Pratik Kamdar, CEO & Co-Founder of Neuron Energy.
This will empower e-rickshaws, with GPS-enabled lithium-ion batteries, zipping through the lanes of Kolkata, he said.
«Together, we are targeting a fleet of 50 lakh e-rickshaws across the country, with a significant number in this state, aiming to replace the outdated lead-acid batteries with modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternatives in a lease model,» he said.
For users, leasing is similar to paying EMI as pay-per-use without owning the asset.
A lithium-ion battery is also cost-effective in the long run due to its durability but the entry price is still at least twice that of a lead acid battery, he said.
Asked about security concerns in the leasing model, the official said the batteries are equipped with GPS tracking and provision to deactivate the battery pack remotely.
The shift to lithium-ion batteries isn't just a technological upgrade and it's
