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This happened 10 years ago too when there was a flood of manufacturers who were importing and assembling low-powered two-wheeled electric vehicles, but for some

This happened 10 years ago too when there was a flood of manufacturers who were importing and assembling low-powered two-wheeled electric vehicles, but for some reason they never took for whatever reason - lack of range or too expensive etc. The new generation of small manufacturers assembling electric people movers face different challenges. I talked to one assembler who had no previous experience in this industry and their biggest challenge was getting safety permits from Indian regulators. Which makes sense, honestly. I think the real challenge is on the demand side - the comparable electric two wheelers are at least twice as expensive as their ICE counterparts, which makes it hard for consumers to justify their purchase, even after a web of state subsidies.

brainless 6y ago
This a good point. If you ask me, I think there is a difference between the product and the market demands. 10 years back my friend had purchased an e-bike. But India is filled with ICE bikes that have decent city performance and lower prices. So an e-bike is just a novelty. While Rickshaws and other people movers do not have many cheap + motorized alternatives (ICE or EV). They also run for 100s of Kms per day and the cost saving from going electric is significant. No one will care too much if the vehicle is not "racing" at 80 Km/h. Doing just 40 Km/h is good enough. Thus the same electric battery and motor found a much better market I would say. And I have been keenly watching the growth of these machines. First I say foot Rickshaws being retrofitted with motor about 8 years back, early prototypes from market demand. Now there are hundreds of manufacturers across multiple cities, 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier including. There are even big brands like Mahindra, Bajaj, Exide in the e-Rickshaw space. I witness this across West Bengal and Sikkim as I drive (with my ICE car) the odd 700 Kms stretch. Product - Market fit may I say?
- silvestrov 6y ago
  Cheaper batteries will change everything. If batteries drop enough in price that e-bikes are no more expensive than ICE bikes, the changeover will be fast.

brainless 6y ago

This a good point. If you ask me, I think there is a difference between the product and the market demands. 10 years back my friend had purchased an e-bike. But India is filled with ICE bikes that have decent city performance and lower prices. So an e-bike is just a novelty. While Rickshaws and other people movers do not have many cheap + motorized alternatives (ICE or EV). They also run for 100s of Kms per day and the cost saving from going electric is significant. No one will care too much if the vehicle is not "racing" at 80 Km/h. Doing just 40 Km/h is good enough. Thus the same electric battery and motor found a much better market I would say. And I have been keenly watching the growth of these machines. First I say foot Rickshaws being retrofitted with motor about 8 years back, early prototypes from market demand. Now there are hundreds of manufacturers across multiple cities, 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier including. There are even big brands like Mahindra, Bajaj, Exide in the e-Rickshaw space. I witness this across West Bengal and Sikkim as I drive (with my ICE car) the odd 700 Kms stretch. Product - Market fit may I say?

silvestrov 6y ago
Cheaper batteries will change everything. If batteries drop enough in price that e-bikes are no more expensive than ICE bikes, the changeover will be fast.