Founded in October 2019 at a technology center in Guindy, Chennai-based Raptee.HV has rapidly established itself as an emerging leader in the electric two-wheeler segment. What began as a small team’s vision has evolved into a pioneering force, committed to redefining the future of mobility through innovation and precision engineering.
In July 2021, Raptee secured $700,000 in seed funding, propelling its early-stage growth. The company further cemented its manufacturing ambitions by signing an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government in December 2021, ensuring incentivized production support.
Raptee’s focus on research, prototyping, and scalable production took shape in 2022, with proto builds, DFM, and tooling efforts underway. The company attracted significant investor interest, raising $4 million in a Pre-Series A round by March 2023. By June, Raptee had acquired a pilot plant near Porur, with 45 patents filed, underscoring its commitment to intellectual property and technological advancement. The rollout of T1 pilot samples in September further demonstrated readiness for commercial production.
Making waves at GIM and Shaastra IITM in early 2024, Raptee captivated audiences with its innovative vision. In April 2024, the company achieved a key milestone, rolling out its first electric motorcycle from its Chennai manufacturing facility.
The facility houses a dedicated Research & Development center, 6,400 sq. ft. Battery Assembly Unit capable of producing 110 packs per shift, 19,294 sq. ft. Bike Assembly Facility with a monthly capacity of 8,500 units, and a meticulously managed 10,225 sq. ft. Inventory zone—solidifying Raptee HV’s position at the forefront of India’s EV revolution.
In a recent interview, Rashmi interacted with Dinesh Arjun, Co-Founder and CEO of Raptee.HV, in which he discussed about High-voltage electric motorcycles, ARAI certification, Proprietary HV powertrain, Performance-driven EV technology, Battery efficiency & smart features, Global expansion plans etc.
1.Raptee.HV’s T30 is the first high-voltage EV motorcycle has received ARAI certification. Why is high-voltage technology a game-changer for the EV industry?
Motorcycles are not just about convenience but also fundamentally performance driven. For motorcyclists to consider switching to electric, the bikes must not only surpass ICE counterparts but also break industry barriers to drive adoption. While existing technology has boosted e-scooters, it is not enough for motorcycles.
Cars, on the other hand, which was also a Performance driven Industry, was facing the same issue 10 years back. A clear example is the evolution from early low-voltage EVs like the Reva to modern high-voltage electric vehicles such as the Mahindra BE6E. The Reva, with its low-voltage system, faced performance, efficiency, and charging speed limitations, making it less practical for widespread adoption. In contrast, today’s high-voltage EVs benefit from faster charging, improved energy efficiency, and better reliability that have made electric cars a mainstream choice.
This shift to high-voltage motorcycles means riders no longer feel electric bikes are like a compromise. Just like high-voltage technology transformed electric cars, it is now set to redefine the two-wheeler industry.
2.Developing high-voltage technology from scratch took Raptee.HV six years. Can you walk us through this journey and highlight some key breakthroughs?
At Raptee.HV, we chose the high-voltage (HV) route because we believed it was the key to delivering superior performance in electric motorcycles. However, back in 2019, there was no existing HV ecosystem for two-wheelers. This meant we had to design and develop every sub-component from scratch—battery packs, motor controllers, power electronics, and more.
Taking this path came with its own set of challenges. Unlike conventional EVs, where components are readily available, the HV ecosystem for motorcycles simply did not exist. Testing and validation took time, as every part had to be built, optimized, and rigorously evaluated to ensure reliability and safety.
A critical challenge was the vendor ecosystem. Since no supplier had ever worked on HV components for two-wheelers before, we had to collaborate closely with manufacturers, convincing them to develop entirely new solutions. It wasn’t just about sourcing parts—it was about building an ecosystem together.
A turning point came when our technology received validation from ARAI. This milestone proved that HV motorcycles could meet industry standards and paved the way for greater acceptance. As a result, major Tier-1 suppliers, both from India and globally, started coming on board, accelerating our journey toward production.
We are also the only EV OEM to receive non-dilutive funding from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) and MHI (Ministry of Heavy Industries) for developing a high-voltage powertrain specifically for electric two-wheelers. This support validated our vision and helped accelerate our innovation efforts, further reinforcing our leadership in high-voltage EV technology.
3. Since announcing the T30 in October last year, you have received over 8,000 registrations. How has this early traction influenced your market strategy?
The overwhelming response to the T30, with over 8,000 registrations since its announcement, has reinforced our confidence in the market’s readiness for high-voltage electric motorcycles. This early traction has allowed us to refine our go-to-market strategy by prioritizing production scaling, optimizing our dealership expansion roadmap, and enhancing customer engagement. It has also validated the demand for a high-performance, no-compromise EV, encouraging us to double down on our R&D efforts. As we move forward, our focus remains on delivering an exceptional ownership experience and expanding into key markets to meet growing demand.
4. With Raptee.HV meeting its first-year sales target of ₹200 crore, what are your long-term revenue goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Meeting our first-year sales target of ₹200 crore is just the beginning. Our long-term goal is to establish Raptee.HV as a leader in High Voltage Technology by driving innovation. We are focused on scaling our proprietary high-voltage architecture, enhancing battery efficiency, and developing smart, connected features that redefine the riding experience. Expanding our R&D efforts will allow us to stay ahead in performance, safety, and user experience. Additionally, we plan to ramp up production, grow our dealership network, and enter new markets to make our high voltage technology accessible to more riders.
5. What are the expected delivery timelines for the T30, and how is Raptee.HV ensuring smooth production and timely fulfillment?
Raptee.HV has planned a phased delivery rollout for the T30 to ensure a smooth production process and timely fulfillment. Deliveries will begin in Chennai and Bengaluru in Q1 25-26, followed by Pune and Hyderabad from Q2. Subsequent phases will cover Delhi and Kochi (January to March 2026), Kolkata and Ahmedabad (April to June 2026), and Visakhapatnam and Jaipur (July to September 2026).
To ensure seamless production, we have established a manufacturing facility in Chennai with an annual capacity of 108,000 units. Our production strategy prioritizes quality control, supply chain efficiency, and strong vendor partnerships to maintain consistent output. Additionally, we are aligning our sales with service network expansion, ensuring customers receive a well-supported ownership experience from day one. By optimizing production scalability and preemptively addressing demand, Raptee.HV is committed to delivering the T30 on schedule without compromising on quality.
6. What is your distribution strategy for the Indian market? Will Raptee.HV adopt an exclusive dealership model or explore direct-to-consumer sales?
In our first year, Raptee.HV’s initial 6 outlets will be company-owned and operated. This approach ensures that we establish a consistent customer experience, setting the benchmark for sales, service, and overall engagement. By controlling the retail experience early on, we can refine our approach before scaling up through partners.
From the second year onwards, we will transition to a dealership model, allowing us to expand our reach while maintaining the high standards we set in our company-owned stores. This will help us cater to a wider customer base without compromising on service quality.
7. Raptee.HV is in talks to raise $19 million to accelerate rollouts and meet growing capital needs. How will this funding be utilized?
The $19 million fundraise will primarily be used to scale up production to meet increasing demand. A significant portion will also be allocated to marketing efforts as we continue to build Raptee.HV into an aspirational brand, ensuring an exceptional customer experience.
This funding will support our expansion plans, enabling us to ramp up production, grow our dealership network, and roll out our e-motorcycles in new states, bringing our innovative technology to more riders across India.
8. With over 150 patents around motorcycle design and architecture, how do these innovations set Raptee.HV apart in the competitive EV market?
Transitioning to high-voltage technology required a complete architectural shift rather than just modifying individual components. This led to the development of proprietary innovations across 22 subsystems in our motorcycle, establishing a strong intellectual property portfolio. Raptee.HV has filed a total of 156 patents till date around HV Powertrain and Design. One of the most significant milestones was in power electronics, where we became one of the few OEMs to design and manufacture our own motor controllers in-house. This not only gave us greater control over vehicle performance but also enabled continuous improvements and optimizations for the future. By owning critical IP in high-voltage technology, Raptee.HV ensures a competitive edge in efficiency, reliability, and innovation.
9. What steps is Raptee.HV taking to ensure a seamless customer experience, including after-sales support, charging infrastructure, and service centers?
Raptee.HV is committed to delivering a seamless customer experience by focusing on three key areas: after-sales support, charging infrastructure. To ensure a hassle-free ownership journey, we are establishing a robust service network across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities before initiating sales in each location. Our motorcycles are designed to be compatible with public EV charging stations, allowing riders to conveniently charge at existing infrastructure without dependency on proprietary solutions.
10. Looking ahead, what are Raptee.HV’s next milestones in entering the Indian market, and do you have plans for global expansion?
Raptee.HV is strategically focusing on Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in India, where the adoption of 150cc motorcycles is strong, making our high-voltage motorcycle a natural upgrade for these riders. Additionally, the widespread acceptance of electric scooters in these regions indicates a growing shift toward EV adoption, further supporting our market entry. Another key factor in our expansion plan is the presence of EV car charging infrastructure, as our motorcycle is designed to be compatible with public charging networks, ensuring convenience for early adopters. Over the next two years, we will continue scaling across India, strengthening our presence and after-sales support. Beyond this, we plan to explore international expansion, starting with South Asian markets, to establish Raptee.HV as a global player in electric mobility.