IIT Hyderabad-incubated startup Pure EV launches e-scooter in Nepal

IIT Hyderabad-incubated electric mobility startup Pure EV has entered its first international market, Nepal. The startup says it will launch its premium model ‘EPluto7G’ in Nepal by October 2020 as part of its international expansion plans.

The company says a unique point of its e-scooter is that the battery and the vehicle have been designed and developed factoring in the gradient requirements of Nepal. Pure EV states it has developed state-of-the-art powertrain capabilities and efficiency in its vehicles to enhance the user experience in rough terrains.

The expansion into Nepal is part of Pure EV’s larger strategy to export to international markets having predominantly two-wheeler mode of transportation for personal mobility. It is also looking for good distribution partners for other markets who can create an efficient channel network for vehicle sales and service in the target markets.

As part of its expansion the startup has partnered White Lotus Motors (WLM) for distribution of its EV two-wheelers in Nepal. WLM will establish two outlets in the capital city of Kathmandu.

Rohit Vadera, CEO, Pure EV, said, “This is one of the most significant milestones in the journey of Pure EV. We look forward to catering to the esteemed customers in Nepal through our partnership with White Lotus Motors. Further, all the new range of products launched in the future will also be made available in the Nepal market in the due course of time. We will be expanding to other international markets as well over the course of next year with particular focus on South Asia, Southeast Asia and east African countries. We intend to start off with an annual sales target of 1,000 scooters and have wider coverage in the top five cities of the country within a year.”

The indigenously-developed lithium-ion batteries developed and manufactured by PurEnergy, the parent company of Pure EV, can operate in a wide range of temperature conditions suiting the climates conditions of India and Nepal. The company says it is working closely with WLM for the establishment of high-quality workshops and provide timely ‘after-sales’ service requirements and also ensuring adequate spare parts availability.

Ashok Khadgi, MD, White Lotus Motors said “We are delighted to have a partnership with PurEnergy, India and to launch world-class, new generation two-wheeler EV products in Nepal. We see value creation for Nepalese consumers with Pure EV products due to better product quality, high-class R&D capability and suitability for Nepalese road conditions. We see a bright future for Pure EV products in Nepal.”

The e-two-wheeler maker says it has received International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) certification for faster homologation in Nepal and has targeted 10 percent of the market share in the electric two-wheeler electric sector by the end of 2022. The EPluto7G is a high-speed electric scooter with a top speed of 60kph and battery warranty for 40,000km. The model comes with a 2.5 kWh portable battery that can travel 100km on a single charge.