Raptee is at the forefront of sustainable electric mobility, revolutionizing the EV landscape with innovative solutions. Committed to environmental stewardship, Raptee focuses on developing electric vehicles that reduce carbon footprints while delivering exceptional performance. Their advanced technology ensures efficient energy use and long-lasting battery life, making EVs a practical choice for everyday use. By integrating cutting-edge design with eco-friendly practices, Raptee not only meets the growing demand for sustainable transportation but also sets new standards in the automotive industry. Through continuous innovation, Raptee aims to drive the future of mobility towards a cleaner, greener planet.
In a recent interview, Abdullah interacted with Mr. Dinesh Arjun, the CEO and co-founder of Raptee in which he discuss about the core mission of Raptee, transition of Raptee into a comprehensive EV Brand, innovation and sustainability for a green future, EV Market place
Can you provide a brief overview of Raptee and its core mission?
Absolutely. Raptee is a trailblazing electric motorcycle company. We’re introducing groundbreaking high-voltage technology to the world of electric two-wheelers. This means electric motorcycles can now offer unparalleled speed, reliability, and most importantly, sheer enjoyment. Our aim is to transform electric motorcycles into an upgrade from pedal-powered bikes in every aspect, rather than just a cost-saving compromise. That’s our vision, and that’s what we’re bringing to life. Our motorcycles have already begun production and will soon be in the hands of our eagerly awaiting customers.
How is Raptee Energy navigating its transition into a comprehensive EV brand?
We have spent the last four years as an R&D company, dedicated to developing the technology necessary to enable high-voltage drivetrains for electric two-wheelers. Now, we are ready to transition into the public sphere with the imminent launch of our motorcycles. Our goal is to evolve into a fully-fledged Automotive Electric Manufacturer (AEM), backed by a team of industry veterans who are leading our sales and customer experience efforts, including after-sales services—a critical aspect in today’s EV landscape. Over the next five years, we envision ourselves as a comprehensive AEM. In the coming months, we will establish company-owned outlets across Tier 1 cities nationwide, facilitating vehicle deliveries. While our motorcycles will be available for purchase both online and offline, online deliveries will initially be limited to select cities. Looking ahead, our infrastructure expansion plans aim to ensure nationwide delivery capability within the next 24-36 months.
How do innovation and sustainability in electric vehicles help consumers upgrade from traditional electric vehicles? How do you envision the future of electric vehicles as alternatives?
Undoubtedly, our approach has traditionally centered on the perception that transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) must primarily focus on reducing total cost of ownership and environmental benefits.
In reality, electric two-wheelers have been available in the Indian market for over 15 years. Despite their presence, widespread adoption has been elusive. The prevailing notion suggests that electric two-wheelers cater solely to frequent users or commercial purposes.
However, we challenge this mindset. Electric two-wheelers are not exclusively for heavy users but offer a compelling option for anyone considering a new vehicle. Our goal is to redefine the vehicle ownership experience.
We aim to demonstrate that electric two-wheelers can offer enhanced enjoyment, convenience, and practicality for daily commuting, surpassing conventional petrol-powered vehicles. Our confidence stems from years of technological advancement, empowering us to make such claims.
Innovation plays a pivotal role in this paradigm shift. Our industry peers are also diligently working on improving battery and motor technology, as well as expanding charging infrastructure.
For EVs to achieve mass-market appeal, sustainability is imperative. However, innovation is equally essential. Mere replication of overseas products won’t suffice. What we need is innovation tailored to the Indian market’s unique demographics, climate, and usage patterns.
This demographic-specific innovation is key to driving widespread adoption of EVs in India.
What strategies can Raptee implement to enhance consumer experience and ensuring satisfaction and loyalty in today’s competitive market landscape?
I disagree with the notion that the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market lacks competitiveness due to the limited availability of products. While there are indeed fewer players in the market, especially in the electric motorcycle segment, there is still healthy competition. Our focus at Zrabke is not to revolutionize the market but to perfect the fundamentals of customer experience. Compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, reliability remains a concern in many new-age EV products. Our strategy is to benchmark against these established vehicles, ensuring our EVs are built to last and compete directly in terms of durability and reliability. Our approach to market adaptation involves establishing company-owned outlets for direct customer interaction and feedback. By delivering our products through our own channels and offering comprehensive after-sales support, including roadside assistance and doorstep servicing, we aim to instill confidence in our brand and ensure a positive ownership experience. With four and a half years of dedicated effort invested in our products, we are committed to delivering exceptional quality and customer satisfaction, marking our presence in the Indian EV market with confidence. Additionally, I’m pleased to announce that our Chennai SME line is now fully operational, signifying a significant milestone in achieving operational readiness.
What are the factors that contribute to achieve the operational readiness in the business and how it is measured and maintained over time?
Certainly, one of the crucial aspects of being an OEM is the reliance on tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers. We have strategically partnered with leading brands in the tier 1 industry, ensuring not only the quality we demand but also scalability to accommodate our increasing volumes. Operational readiness has been a priority, prompting us to carefully select suppliers committed to long-term collaboration and seamless supply chain management.
With our production line now operational and the recent rollout of our first motorcycle, components are being dispatched from our vendors to maintain sustained and consistent vehicle production. Concurrently, rigorous testing is underway, subjecting our motorcycles to challenging climatic conditions and diverse terrains to guarantee optimal performance and durability.
Our testing protocols adhere to industry standards, meticulously documenting every component failure to drive continuous improvement and ensure customer satisfaction. While our focus remains on delivering high-quality products at optimal costs, we are also in the early stages of planning for long-term production line maintenance. These endeavors underscore our commitment to excellence and investor value, areas where we refuse to compromise.
What technological innovations will RAPTEE introduce to advance a sustainable energy solution and address the current industry challenges?
As I mentioned earlier, we’re in the process of developing the world’s first high-voltage tri-train specifically for electric two wheelers. Unfortunately, many electric vehicles currently on the market, powered by low-voltage powertrains, struggle to match the performance and reliability of their petrol-powered counterparts. Additionally, the lack of a cohesive charging infrastructure, particularly for two-wheelers, presents a significant hurdle for potential customers.
Our solution, RAPTEE, addresses these challenges head-on. By implementing a high-voltage tri-train system, we’re able to enhance the performance and ride experience of our vehicles, surpassing that of petrol-powered vehicles. Moreover, our vehicles boast exceptional longevity, with no need for battery replacements throughout their lifespan—a remarkable 12 to 13 years.
Perhaps most importantly, our high-voltage approach enables compatibility with the universal CCS charging standard, making our motorcycles the only electric two-wheelers capable of utilizing the existing network of over 14,000 CCS chargers in India. This ensures convenient and accessible charging options for our customers, setting us apart in the market.
At RAPTEE, we’re committed to pioneering technological innovations in high-voltage tri-trains for electric two-wheelers, and we’re excited to unveil the results with our upcoming product releases.