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New Delhi: As the electric mobility megatrend progresses, suppliers in the EV ecosystem are also building/strengthening their engineering verticals to play in the tech-intensive industry well. Pune-based Electra EV is one such player. ETAuto learns that the company has roped in Chandrakant Awate, who has had a 30-year stint at Tata Motors.
Awate will have the key responsibility for all engineering and technology development activities at Electra EV. A key mandate for him will be to expand the company’s portfolio with solutions for multiple segments and applications. According to sources, the Ratan Tata- backed firm is looking at venturing into new EV segments as a powertrain supplier. Off highway segment could be the next one.
During his stint at Tata Motors, Awate held multiple positions in the OEM’s Engineering and Research Centre (ERC) and was involved in projects for the passenger vehicle business. He had joined the company as a diploma trainee engineer in 1993.
Awate’s appointment will be the second key hire by Electra EV in a span of 2-3 months. It appointed Chetan Chawla, a quality control professional, as the Chief Quality Officer. Chawla, an industry professional with over 35 years of experience, has had stints in organisations like Mahindra Navistar, Tata Motors, and RSB Transmissions before joining Electra EV.
Currently, Tata Motors is a major and only OEM customer which Electra EV supplies to for commercial production. Xpres-T, its passenger EV for commercial fleet operations, and the Tata Ace EV are powered by Electra EV powertrains.
The Xpres-T is run by a 72V induction motor powered by a 25.5kWh battery pack, while the Tata Ace EV comes with a 21.3kWh battery pack which sends energy to run a motor with a max output of 27kW.
All the solutions are produced at Electra EV’s sole production base in Coimbatore. The plant has an annual production capacity of 30,000 units. The 6-year old firm had raised USD 25 million for business expansion, from an investment firm called GEF Capital.
