ARUNKUMAR RAO
Bengaluru : SUN Mobility, a leader in energy infrastructure and services for electric vehicles (EVs), has unveiled the world’s first modular battery-swapping technology designed specifically for Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs). This groundbreaking innovation was launched in partnership with Bangalore-based Veera Vahana, a prominent bus manufacturer, at “Prawaas 4.0,” an international conference organized by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI). The partnership introduced India’s first 10.5-meter battery-swappable buses, designed for intercity and rural routes, with the technology being compatible across Veera Vahana’s entire vehicle range.
Electrifying commercial fleets, particularly heavy vehicles, is critical for reducing emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing transportation efficiency. SUN Mobility’s proven Smart Battery solution is adaptable for light, medium, and heavy trucks and buses, supporting a wide range of vehicles from 3-tonne to 55-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
This battery-swapping technology will lower the upfront cost of electric buses by 40%, making them as affordable as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) buses. Coupled with easier access to financing, this innovation significantly lowers the barrier to EV adoption for fleet owners. The system also reduces operational costs by up to 20% and increases vehicle uptime, thanks to the rapid swapping process that takes less than three minutes. The battery’s compact and lightweight design also allows for higher payload capacities.
While buses and trucks account for just 5% of the total vehicle population, they contribute to about 50% of tailpipe emissions. With 90% of commercial vehicles privately owned and lacking subsidies, battery swapping can increase EV adoption by an additional 30%, playing a crucial role in India’s pursuit of zero carbon emissions in heavy commercial vehicles.
“SUN Mobility has redefined the HEV sector by addressing key challenges such as high entry costs, limited financing, lengthy charging times, and the complexity of establishing charging infrastructure. Our collaboration with Veera Vahana marks a pivotal moment as we bring India’s first modular swapping technology to market, offering a practical and cost-effective solution for operators, enhancing efficiency, and reducing operational expenses,” said Ashok Agarwal, CEO-HEV, SUN Mobility.
K Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director of Veera Vahana, added, “As one of India’s fastest-growing bus manufacturers, Veera Vahana is proud to partner with global leaders in battery swapping. This collaboration leverages indigenous innovation and engineering excellence to create world-class electric mobility solutions.”
Chetan Maini, Co-Founder and Chairman of SUN Mobility, emphasized, “For the past seven years, SUN Mobility has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the electric mobility sector, especially with our solutions for two- and three-wheelers. Our latest innovation for HEVs is set to disrupt the commercial vehicle sector, accelerating the electrification of this vital segment within the cargo and passenger transportation industry. We are excited to lead this transformation alongside Veera Vahana and are confident that it will open up multi-billion dollar opportunities for OEMs, fleet operators, and financiers, positioning India as a global leader in transportation electrification.”
Since its inception in 2017, SUN Mobility has integrated over 26,000 vehicles across the two-, three-, and small four-wheeler fleet segments. With more than 630 battery-swapping stations across India, the company facilitates approximately 1.6 million kilometers and 60,000 battery swaps daily, reflecting an 84% increase in utilization from the previous year. Through a strategic joint venture with IndianOil, SUN Mobility is leveraging IndianOil’s vast network of over 37,000 fuel stations to make its battery-swapping technology as accessible as conventional fuel stations. This partnership is set to streamline the EV experience for customers nationwide, offering Battery as a Service (BaaS) and eliminating concerns related to battery costs, obsolescence, maintenance, replacement, and charging times.
