App-based cab aggregator Ola plans to introduce 10,000 e-rickshaws and electric autorickshaws in India in the next 12 months, the company said in a statement.
The ride-hailing company is in talks with state governments, OEM partners and electronic vehicle innovators to speed up the introduction of EVs in India.
Last-mile transport
“From cycle rickshaws to ‘shuttles’ and last-mile transport, three-wheelers continue to be a dominant form of daily transit for many people across the nation.
Building on the pioneering EV pilot by the company in Nagpur, Ola believes electrification can improve outcomes for drivers, customers, and its business model.”
Ola aims to bring one million electric vehicles on the road by 2021, according to the statement.
Ola will work with driver-partners, cities, vehicle manufacturers, and battery companies to make sustainable technologies cost-effective and viable in daily mobility, it stated.
“Three-wheelers are a vital means of transportation and a source of livelihood for millions of people every day,” said Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO of Ola.
“Less than a year ago we launched India’s first multi-modal electric pilot in Nagpur. After more than 4 million electric kilometres travelled and many lessons learned, we are significantly expanding our commitment to electrify mobility in India.”
Ola introduced its first electric vehicle project in Nagpur on May 26, 2017.
The project included electric cabs, electric auto rickshaws, electric buses, rooftop solar installations, charging stations, and battery swapping experiments.
The EV programme in Nagpur has provided Ola with significant insights into effectively managing vehicles, batteries and operations. The company plans to continue its experimentation with ways to optimise batteries and charging, to develop a strong business model for EV deployment in the country, the company said.
