-Mithran Sri Ram (cbedit@imaws.org)
With increase in the home-delivery avenues in India Electric Vehicle (e-bike) is considered a more environmentally friendly mode of transport compared to the vehicles that consume fuels. E-bikes can be considered as the fastest-growing means in the transport market. It was estimated that the e-bike sale would rise to 130 million by 2025 and 800 million by 2100.Mr. Anirudh Ravi Narayanan – CEO & Co-Founder Boom Motors, feels that Electric vehicles can enhance food delivery better.
The company today, focuses on leading the way for a change in the electric vehicle industry by delivering quality vehicles at economical prices, removing barriers of adoption, and offering complete peace-of-mind to the customer. All parts of the vehicles are designed, developed and manufactured in India out of a factory in Coimbatore
They have recently launched Boom Corbett, the affordable & durable EV Bike which saw an overwhelming response of over 30 Thousand booking received in ane single week. Currently the company has crossed Rs. 400 Crore Pre-Bookings with 36 Thousand vehicles in the pipeline.
Anirudh says “In spite of regular increase in petrol prices – doing a backdoor working comparison between costs involved in Petrol Vehicles vs Electric Vehicles acceptance for EV Vehicles are very very low. During rainy days – most vehicles are getting lined up with lot of Electrical Faults. The vehicle finds very difficult to go comfortably in Steep Flyovers both with a single rider or with a pillion rider. Unlike a petrol vehicle where you can just fill the petrol & leave a petrol bunk in 2 minutes maximum – charging of batteries was a challenge in Electric Vehicles. In shopping malls there is no perfect provision for charging the batteries. As different manufacturers have different type of charging sockets catering to their brand exclusively – the vehicle owner has zero opportunity to charge his vehicle. Even if this facility is available in certain malls – already someone would be using it & you may have to wait for your turn.
Motor Cycle is the most popular segment in India with around 65% market share. All the new entrants target only the urban market office goers, so Tier 2 & Tier 3 Indian Market is not covered fully. As the Dealership availability is very very less – the customers tend to face service related issues.“
How to boost the Food delivery and EV industry?
“ The changing market scenario and increased preference for the electric vehicle, we have realized the need for strong finance schemes to boost the EV shift. On an average an individual spend around Rs. 1,700/- per month towards Petrol Expenses for his 2 wheeler. Around 17 litres petrol is consumed every month per individual. Our EMI starts from Rs. 1,700/- & what we say to our customers is just invest this as your EMI & build your asset – as you will be the owner of the vehicle. As a value proposition, we have exchange options where we buy your old 2 wheeler & replace it with our E Vehicle. The old vehicle’s value may be treated as a Down payment & the balance shall be paid in EMIs. On the whole, even though their initial investments seems to be high – they save thousands and thousands of money on petrol expenses.”
Most food delivery app wants its delivery agents to have a 2 wheeler. But a person from a rural background is not able to afford to buy a 2 wheeler. Here, they lease their vehicle on a weekly basis through a third party partner – so that they can become a delivery agent with Zomato or Amazon and earn on these platforms immediately.
Asked why he advocates food delivery systems in India should adopt electric vehicles, he names three reasons:
- First for environmental reasons. Emission can be reduced – delivery drivers are covering 80+ kms a day – which is substantial emission.
- Second for economic reasons. Everyone can save money across the system by using electric vehicles
- Third EVs are offering additional functionality that may make it easier to manage fleets and offer differential ownership models to drivers
Best wishes from
