Gujrat based clean energy solutions provider, RunR Mobility is an emerging player in the growing market of EVs in the swappable battery space. Supported by the strong leadership of MECPower Solutions Pvt Ltd, RunR has been manufacturing 100% indigenous smart-electric scooters equipped with swappable batteries.
In a candid talk with Niloy from EVMechanica, Setul Shah, Founder at RunR Mobility voiced his opinions on the ongoing scenario of how natively manufactured EVs are gaining expansion in the rising market of swapable batteries.
How RunR Mobility defines itself in the EV space today, and what is the flagship offering of the company catering to the indigenous EV market?
Founded in 2021, RunR Mobility has been on a never-ending mission to establish itself as the most sustainable, lucrative, and promising brand in the electric vehicle market. An industry leader in the EV space today, we offer 100% indigenous and affordable smart-electric scooters with swappable batteries. Moreover, our electric two-wheelers include a unique explosion-proof swappable battery system and charging infrastructure, which allays battery and quality concerns.
In addition, our offerings are aligned with our vision which is to become a major player in the expanding market for electric vehicles with interchangeable batteries. We hold proprietary rights for every component of the vehicle, which gives us the freedom to act independently. Furthermore, we have a digital dealership and unique outlets, and we provide the entire ecosystem together with the product. Also, we have patented liquid-cooled battery packs, and our two-wheeler is developed with consumer demands in mind, making it more sustainable.
Few companies are ushering in a compensation model that connects EV owners with charging stations. What models is RunR Mobility working currently in the market?
RunR Mobility is among the very few EV manufacturers in Asia with an innovation hub that includes in-house battery and motor testing.
The upcoming RunR HS and HS+ models are expected to have a range of 100 and 140 kilometers on a single charge at an affordable cost. It will also feature swappable batteries and a can-based BMS. The E- Scooter, which is estimated to be released in the first week of March, has a modern design and cutting-edge features such as an anti-theft alarm and a device locator. This model is notable for having alloy wheels and luminous LED tail lights.
Furthermore, among the best features, the company offers battery swapping and technology with real-time battery. In terms of additional functions, the smart high speed models HS and HS+, with a high-contrast colour LCD display etc. are also available at an affordable price and are aimed at the MBO’s and Fleet owners etc .
How many EV charging Solution companies have RunR Mobility currently working to establish EV charging networks across cities in India?
RunR has made a name for itself as a top EV manufacturer, providing products created and developed in India. In an effort to increase our reach, we have joined forces with other EV charging solution providers to set up an EV charging network across Indian cities, allowing EV owners to travel without worrying about running out of gas. Also, we have a cutting-edge 4.2 acres plant that can build 500 automobiles per day, which has helped us effectively take over the B2B market by overcoming challenging obstacles and creating a whole new ecosystem for EVs. And as we envision our own route of expansion, we aspire to build the greatest possible number of charging stations in the future.
How have your battery-swapping solutions been helping to mitigate CAPEX cost for users?
Given the rapid advancements in technology, every possible industry is undergoing a significant change and automobiles are no exception to it. EVs are nothing but a result of those evolutions and RunR Mobility aims to become a substantial contributor in the growing market for electric vehicles with swappable batteries. Moreover, the modern consumers of today are in search of good quality, affordable vehicles, and we meet their expectations by offering smart-electric scooters with swappable batteries that are three times more economical than fuel-consuming vehicles.
In addition, we are supplying the entire ecosystem; as a result, if a fleet owner has a 500-vehicle fleet and uses our vehicle, which has two swappable batteries, he will need to purchase 1000 batteries. But because we provide the consumer with the entire ecosystem as well as the infrastructure for a closed ecosystem, we can pinpoint locations to put swapping infrastructure, so he only needs to buy 750 batteries as opposed to 1000, significantly lowering his CAPEX cost.
To make battery swapping a mainstream technology, interchangeable battery packs that are similar for various manufacturers are essential in which manufacturers must play a pivotal role. Hence do you think proprietary designs and standard format battery packs are a tussle?
RunR Mobility has painted a successful image for itself in the EV market by providing battery swapping solutions that allow users to quickly swap out their batteries. Also, we have effectively built an indigenous ecosystem and own the rights of every vehicle component, which ends our reliance on other parties and distinguishes us from other companies in the field today. In fact, having proprietary designs and common battery formats is required for manufacturers to stand apart in order to make battery swapping a widespread technology. This used to be an area of difficulty and concern for manufacturers until technological advancements impacted battery packs for good and allowed the manufacturers to establish their own place in the highly competitive business. Moreover, it is safe to say that it will take some time for OEMs to accept standard format battery packs because doing so requires homologating them with the vehicles, which is certainly a challenging task.
The biggest issue that battery swapping technology faces is battery design. Your comments on it.
The major obstacle that other players in the EV sector face is the quality and design of batteries because they import their cells from other countries that are not made for Indian circumstances, which also causes a problem when it comes to maintenance. Nevertheless, we at RunR Mobility have not had such a problem because our lightweight battery was made with swapping in mind, and it also has specific connectors on the top that make swapping even simpler. Additionally, our product is entirely manufactured in India and created with the purpose to meet the needs of Indian consumers and roadways, making it more sustainable.
Key strategies of RunR Mobility in the coming quarters and how the company aims to be dominant in the Indian EV industry.
Ever since its inception, RunR Mobility has made a big impact on the EV market by offering high-speed smart electric scooters with interchangeable batteries while utilizing a highly collaborative and customer-centric strategy. Our vision to become a pragmatic leader in the growing market for electric vehicles with swappable batteries complements our current key strategy, which includes focusing on fleet operators and the global market while also establishing partnerships with multi-brand stores to build the brand in the B2B space with a goal of serving pan India in terms of both sales and services. Furthermore, with an intention to establish dominance over the market, our target is to build an affordable EV company.
Any key trends you want to highlight which are set to revolutionize the Indian EV sector?
Given the rapid pace of technological innovations, India is predicted to have a healthy EV manufacturing and design market thanks to the creation of numerous indigenous EV charging options. Moreover, we feel that EVs today will be the computers of tomorrow. In light of that, we aim to position ourselves as forerunners, making notable contributions in revolutionizing the EV industry. Aside from that, the projected standardization and homologation of battery packs, power trains, and EV technology is what excites and presents us with an enormous potential to unfurl in the future.
