In a strong showing at the Auto Expo 2023, Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM), Greaves Cotton’s EV arm, has showcased three e-scooters – the new Primus and two concepts – along with three e-three-wheelers.
The new Primus, equipped with a new 3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, has a claimed range of 120km on a single charge. Looking similar to the existing Magnus, has a claimed top speed of 75kph. A full charge takes 4 hours when plugged into a regular 5A socket, which drops to two hours when plugged into a fast-charging 30A socket.
The Ampere Primus has three riding modes – Power, City and Eco – as well as a Reverse mode. It gets features such as Bluetooth connectivity enabling turn-by-turn navigation and notification alerts on the digital dash via the proprietary Ampere app. The Primus gets keyless operation as standard, like the Bajaj Chetak. Underseat storage capacity stands at 22 litres and the Primus weighs 110kg. Its load-carrying capacity is rated at 150kg and it has a ground clearance figure of 160mm. Bookings have opened for the Ampere Primus, whose pricing is to be revealed soon.
Both the personal-use NXG and the cargo-carrying NXU are slated for launch later this year and have a range of 120km per charge.
NXG and NXU e-scooter concepts
Ampere Vehicles also revealed the new NXG and NXU e-scooter concepts, both of which will be launched this year. The company claims these two new e-scooters will have a claimed range of 120km on a single charge.
Both are based on a new modular platform and feature the same mid-mounted motor as the Primus. The NXG will be available to private buyers and will be a more premium offering from the Greaves-owned subsidiary, compared to its existing portfolio.
The styling is much more in line with some premium e-scooters on the market rather than Ampere’s own products with elements like foot-pegs that sit flush with the bodywork, all-LED lighting, a TFT dash, fast-charging and it even gets a front disc brake. Ampere claims the NXG will be launched by the first half of the year. Considering the premium positioning of the Ampere NXG, expect its price to hover around the Rs 100,000 mark.
The Ampere NXU, while based on the same platform as the NXG, is targeted at B2B and last-mile deliveries and features a luggage system in the form of a large top box and side panniers. The NXU’s payload capacity is rated at 200kg. The Ampere NXU gets a revised front apron with a circular headlight, a beefier front fork and chunkier tyres to cope with the additional weight its intended usage will most likely entail. The company says that the NXU will be available to private buyers as well. Ampere plans to launch the NXU by end-2023.
Passenger-transporting ELP and cargo-carrying ELC are aimed at delivering low cost of ownership to buyers.
Three’s company
Along with two-wheelers, the electric three-wheeler segment has been the other big growth driver for the Indian EV industry. At 337,335 units retailed in CY2022, they account for 34% of total EV sales of over a million units last year. It is this speedy segment growth which GEM is aiming to benefit from.
At Auto Expo, Greaves unveiled three EVs designed for passenger and cargo mobility.
ELP: A passenger-transporting three-wheeler that will benefit auto drivers with disruptive cost savings.
ELC: A cargo three-wheeler targeted at operators looking for lower TCO.
Aero Vision: A futuristic cargo concept.
All three products will have a high degree of localisation with domestically sourced components. But that’s not all the news from the company.
Aiming to be preferred partner 2- and 3W OEMs
That’s not all. Greaves Electric Mobility, which aims to be the preferred partner for electrification for OEMs in the two- and three-wheeler segments, has also unveiled a strategic plan to develop an electric powertrain for the mainstream India market. The company says electric powertrain is a natural progression and it will benefit from years of experience and expertise in vehicle duty cycles. Also, it will have a European partner bring in expertise in design, development, testing and vehicle integration, as mentioned in an investor presentation.
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