1.2 million of Sri Lanka’s three-wheelers will be converted to electric with RACE’s battery-swapping technology.
15 Dec 2023 | 4380 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
RACE Energy, a deep-tech electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure company for battery swapping, has announced its strategic foray into international markets, marking its pilot launch in Sri Lanka’s Colombo with Lanka E-Mobility Solutions (Private) Limited (LeMS). This association aims to redefine the landscape of Sri Lanka's electric mobility through a novel ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
RACE Energy, a deep-tech electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure company for battery swapping, has announced its strategic foray into international markets, marking its pilot launch in Sri Lanka’s Colombo with Lanka E-Mobility Solutions (Private) Limited (LeMS). This association aims to redefine the landscape of Sri Lanka's electric mobility through a novel battery swapping initiative, branded 'e-wheel' in Lanka.
The pilot launch with 25 vehicles and three swapping stations across Colombo sets the stage for a transformative journey in Sri Lanka's electric mobility landscape with an aim to expand across Galle and Kandy. With plans to rapidly scale this program to 500 vehicles within the next 3-6 months, RACE’s 'pay-as-you-go' solution and quick swapping process are poised to benefit 1.2 million of Sri Lanka's 'Tuk' drivers.
Arun Sreyas, Co-Founder of RACE Energy, speaking on the association said, "The decision to venture into international markets like Sri Lanka and partner with LeMS, the largest three-wheeler player in the country, stems from the resonating market and environmental dynamics shared between India and Sri Lanka, in addition to the urgency for electric solutions in Lanka, which is currently facing petrol shortages. As we actively expand to other Indian markets, we hope to cross off more international markets to make EVs accessible and convenient to all.”
Shirendra Lawrence, Co-Founder and Director of Lanka e-Mobility Solutions (LeMS) stated, “The entire conversion process, which includes the replacement of the conventional petrol engine with a brand-new electric motor and drivetrain, takes just two hours. Once converted, the vehicle can immediately start using our battery-swapping services. With Sri Lanka having more three-wheelers per capita than even India, the birthplace of these vehicles, we at LeMS are not just providing 3-wheeler owners with a cost and time-effective option for electrification, but also making a significant positive impact on the environment.”
RACE's technology enables discharged batteries to be swapped instantly, allowing users to stay on the road for longer periods. It also helps address critical challenges such as the high cost of vehicles, long charging times, and range anxiety whilst benefitting drivers. With a proven track record of completing 5 million green kilometres and enabling 1,000 swaps on its network daily, RACE is significantly impacting the EV space.