Sun Mobility, sustainable urban mobility solutions, has recently entered into a strategic partnership with Bluwheelz, a move poised to reshape the landscape of urban transportation. Under this collaboration, Bluwheelz's fleet will leverage a cutting-edge battery-swapping solution that is based on the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) models.
Over the next 12 months, both companies are committed to an ambitious plan of deploying more than 15,000 electric two-wheelers and 1,000 electric three-wheelers across major metropolitan cities. Furthermore, Sun Mobility has set its sights on retrofitting Bluwheelz’s existing four-wheeler loader fleet into electric vehicles, with a target of retrofitting 1,000 of these vehicles within the same timeframe.
The Deployment Began
The deployment of these electric vehicles has already commenced in Delhi, with an initial fleet of around 500 vehicles already on the roads. Expansion plans are in the pipeline for cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The primary objectives of this initiative are to curb emissions, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance last-mile connectivity within urban areas.
Sun Mobility boasts a robust network of approximately 600 swap stations strategically positioned across the country. This extensive network will provide Bluwheelz customers with a seamless and convenient battery swapping experience, further facilitating the adoption of electric mobility. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both companies to delivering efficient and sustainable transportation solutions that cater to the evolving demands of modern cities.
Mission To Revolutionize Urban Mobility
Anant Badjatya, CEO of Sun Mobility, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our collaboration with Bluwheelz is a significant stride in our mission to revolutionize urban mobility. We are now facilitating over a million swaps every month, and with partners like Bluwheelz, we will empower more individuals to opt for sustainable transportation options, ultimately making our cities cleaner and more livable.”
Sanjiv Gupta, Chairman of Bluwheelz, also shared his perspective, saying, “Bluwheelz is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge logistics solutions that prioritize both efficiency and environmental responsibility. Our partnership with Sun Mobility perfectly aligns with our mission to usher in a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in the domain of mid-mile and last-mile logistics throughout the country.”
The electric mobility industry in India has been experiencing significant growth, with a surge in demand for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers due to environmental concerns and government incentives.
The Indian automobile industry is the third largest in the world. As per India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), the Indian EV industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 36 per cent. As population rises and demand for vehicles grow, dependence on conventional energy resources is not a sustainable option as India imports close to 80 per cent of its crude oil requirements. NITI Aayog aims to achieve EV sales penetration of 70 per cent for all commercial cars, 30 per cent for private cars, 40 per cent for buses and 80 per cent for two and three-wheelers by 2030. This is in line with the goal to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070.
Conclusion
The partnership between Sun Mobility and Bluwheelz aligns with the larger trend of electric vehicle adoption in the country, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation options. Additionally, the Indian government’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME II) scheme has provided substantial financial support and incentives to further boost the electric vehicle sector, making it an opportune time for such collaborations.