OPG Mobility is a forward-thinking electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer focused on transforming urban transportation with its range of eco-friendly electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Committed to sustainability, OPG Mobility offers solutions that not only reduce carbon emissions but also provide cost-effective, efficient alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.
The company designs and produces high-performance electric vehicles equipped with advanced lithium-ion batteries, ensuring long-lasting power, quick charging times, and increased driving range. OPG Mobility’s vehicles are tailored to meet the needs of modern urban commuters, offering both convenience and reliability while promoting a cleaner environment.
OPG Mobility is also expanding its charging infrastructure and services, ensuring that customers can easily charge their vehicles, making electric mobility more accessible. With a focus on innovation, performance, and user satisfaction, OPG Mobility continues to drive the shift towards greener transportation solutions.
By providing efficient, eco-friendly vehicles, OPG Mobility plays a key role in India’s transition to sustainable mobility, contributing to the reduction of pollution and supporting the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem.
In a recent interview, Abdullah interacted with Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, OPG Mobility in which he discussed about the what products OPG Mobility is showcasing at Bharat mobility global expo, in-house battery manufacturing and other components, ensuing sustainability in manufacturing, tie up with startups, USP about OPG Mobility’s product, upcoming future plans, leverage artificial intelligence or IoT in their product.
Sir, could you tell me more about the company OPG Mobility?
We have transitioned from a private company to OPG Mobility to express our new identity to consumers. OPG Mobility focuses on offering a unique user experience and a diverse product lineup. Everything we’ve learned over the past three and a half years has been integrated into this rebranding effort, both in India and overseas markets. We are not just leveraging our battery portfolio, but also positioning ourselves as a vehicle company.
The launch on January 1st of this year marked the beginning of this rebranding journey, with the first month dedicated to the change. Ferato is now a sub-brand of OPG Mobility, alongside OTTOOPG, which focuses on the 3-wheeler segment. With dedicated brands for each segment, we are adopting a more focused approach. This is essential because the market now demands expertise rather than a generalist approach. To carve out a niche, we decided to revise our strategy.
What products are you showcasing here?
At OPG Mobility, we are showcasing our new product lineup for this calendar year. We have the Defy 22, which was launched on January 17th at the Bharat Mobility Show. With this launch, we are making significant advancements in technology. We have introduced a new battery tank and a new charger.
In addition, we are focusing on a family segment scooter, which we have displayed as a concept for consumers to see and experience. This scooter will be available in the next few months and will target the current family segment scooter market.
Furthermore, in the OTTOOPG segment, we have passenger vehicles on display, which will be launched in March for the distribution network and the entrance rules.
Is OPG Mobility into battery manufacturing?
We manufacture most of our components in-house. Our battery manufacturing facility, which began production in March, now includes the entire new Gen 3 battery, as I call it, which has entered the manufacturing phase. We’ve been manufacturing lithium-ion batteries since the end of 2017, and as a company, lithium-ion batteries are at our core in the case of OPG Mobility.
In addition to that, we also manufacture our own frames. We have an automated frame assembly line, an automated paint line, a metal shop, and plastic and injection molding capabilities. Every component that contributes to the service experience for our dealers or end consumers is made in-house.
We operate a 7-plant facility spanning roughly 45 acres, with the capacity to produce 1 million units annually. Overall, it’s a large manufacturing location, all based in Himachal. You are welcome to visit and get a firsthand look at everything available for consumers to experience.
How can you assure the sustainability of similar activities, such as manufacturing?
Most of our plants, as we produce lithium and batteries, and have also been involved in solar and energy storage systems, are equipped with energy storage systems that minimize diesel emissions as much as possible. Additionally, on-grid solar systems have been installed.
Regarding the manufacturing processes, we adhere to pollution norms. Furthermore, the entire supply chain across our portfolio in India has been carefully selected to align with our mission of EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) contribution, including sourcing gold from sustainable mines.
As a brand, we are focused on contributing positively to energy saving and reducing carbon fuel grid emissions. That is our goal, and I believe our products fulfill this mission across India.
Are there any partnerships with start-ups regarding manufacturing?
Most of our manufacturing is done in-house, but we do have tie-ups across India for service improvements. We also have partnerships in logistics to ensure timely delivery and address a few other requirements. However, when it comes to technology, we have critical partnerships both overseas and in India.
What are your prospective future plans, if any?
We are fully prepared with our product lineup for this calendar year. At each Auto Expo, we will showcase our upcoming launches, but this year will focus on delivering robust products, enhancing our distribution network penetration, and improving our service network across India.
What is the USP of OPG Mobility’s product?
We have several unique selling points, but one feature that stands out to me, and which I want consumers to be aware of, is that our batteries are completely fireproof. Fire is a major concern for many people, and as a company, we use lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are entirely fireproof. These batteries provide ample time in case of any incidents, such as an alarm notification going off in the vehicle. If anything goes wrong, you have enough time to remove the battery and place it outside. This is something that is not seen in other technologies. In the event of a problem, the battery emits smoke but does not explode. This safety feature is particularly valuable in India, where safety is a top priority.
Apart from that, we pride ourselves on being a service-first company, and this is the backbone of our organization. We provide excellent after-sales service, supported by a robust distribution network, spare parts availability, and the lowest service costs. Our focus is on providing the most cost-effective solution for the consumer, offering a better value proposition compared to our competitors.
How does OPG Mobility leverage artificial intelligence or IoT?
Yes, our top-end vehicles come with IoT-integrated solutions, and the data is used at the customer’s discretion. However, we also have the capability to analyze the data to monitor battery performance. We are in the process of integrating IoT platforms, though not fully integrated yet, alongside AI platforms where data analysis can be preventive and proactive, rather than reactive. This is a journey we’ve undertaken, and while we’re still in the early stages, the product does come with IoT and comprehensive data fetching capabilities.
As for the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, it is benefiting us in several ways. Apart from showcasing our products, the Expo provides a great platform to interact with the media and announce our name change, which is a significant transformation for us. Media coverage plays a key role in helping propagate this change. Additionally, we are using this Expo to launch our entire product line, which is expected to reach a broader audience. This also provides us, along with our partners, with valuable feedback from viewers and end consumers. The main goal is to engage with people, understand their feedback, and make improvements quickly.