Born and introduced up within the weaving group of rural Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), the place women are married at an age as early as 15, is Sivasankari Panneer (41)- the primary feminine in her household’s historical past to get an engineering diploma. Within the quest for sustainable and reasonably priced mobility, Panneer put to make use of her engineering information and skillset when she began work on her enterprise– AR4 Tech– in 2018.
Included in December 2021, the corporate in the present day employs about 35 people who find themselves engaged on producing low velocity two wheelers for the agricultural markets. The mannequin is within the prototype stage and anticipated to hit the markets by subsequent 12 months. Alongside, it is usually producing retrofit kits, which have been authorised by the testing company ARAI.
Along with her enterprise enterprise, Panneer intends to supply the low velocity electrical two wheeler with swappable battery in two variants. First, with a 1kWh battery providing a variety of as much as 40 kilometers. This might be priced at round INR 35,000 (ex-showroom). For longer distances, there’s one other variant of as much as 70 kilometer vary with a battery of over 2kWh. This might be obtainable at round INR 70,000. The goal is to not exceed the automobile weight over 50 kg. “As a result of street situations in rural areas, now we have used tires with an prolonged width to keep away from the concern about their punctures.”
At present Yulu Wynn and Kinetic Zulu are essentially the most reasonably priced EVs obtainable within the class the place AR4 is working to function in. Nevertheless, these bikes haven’t discovered a promised market within the Tier-3, 4 cities of the nation but.
Apparently, Panneer is engaged on low velocity scooters with a sodium ion battery and claims to seek out it as a greater resolution when in comparison with the standard lithium ion expertise. This she attributes to being effectively positioned, superior security, excessive thermal resistance, water resistance, and influence resistance.
Nevertheless, she famous that there’s a hole within the skilling and processing business. “Sodium ions may be produced indigenously, however India doesn’t but know learn how to course of minerals the best way China can. The Chinese language perceive the minerals to the core,” she mentioned in a dialog with ETAuto.
The startup has been bootstrapped and acquired a funding of near INR 1.8 crore from Singapore-based Sodion Vitality, a number one developer of sodium-ion batteries.
Consultants counsel sodium-ion battery chemistries are being extensively thought of as a possible various to li-ion and the business may see it in manufacturing prior to anticipated. A number of the firms that made a transfer towards sodium-ion batteries embrace mainland Chinese language automakers together with BYD. Stellantis and Northvolt have additionally joined the league.
Retrofitting to offer a brand new life
Panneer and group have additionally constructed a retrofit equipment for 2 wheelers. Having examined them for fashions like 5 fashions specifically Honda Activa, Suzuki Entry, TVS Zest, TVS XL and Hero Splendor, it has acquired an approval from the testing company ARAI in February this 12 months for operating in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
“Retrofitment is the answer for Tier-3,4 markets as the worth of latest electrical scooters even with subsidies is manner out of pockets for most individuals right here,” she mentioned.
The group is working by way of the method of receiving an approval for a couple of different Southern states to produce the kits for value delicate, mass market functions.
Additional, Panneer highlighted the necessity for consciousness on the purchasers’ half. She shared that the re-registration course of for these retrofitted EVs require the automobile to be throughout the life cycle of 15 years, have an authentic registration certificates, an insurance coverage coverage and no penalty hooked up to it. “Not checking the background and automobile historical past earlier than registration can result in the shopper paying the penalties and different dues of the beforehand owned automobile.”
The corporate is presently engaged on appointing dealerships to promote retrofit kits.The long run objective is to allow retrofitment of EVs throughout classes together with two wheelers, 4 wheelers, tractors, and wheelbarrows for agricultural gear, the girl entrepreneur mentioned.
Tracing the roots
Contemplating her household historical past, Panneer was pleased with the truth that her dad and mom ensured her faculty training regardless of reluctance from their society and the prolonged household.
A graduate in pc science engineering, Panneer’s luck was flying excessive till the day a tragedy befell and she or he was not allowed to proceed her research or obtain help from the household. Married off proper after her commencement, she couldn’t sit for placements.
Nevertheless, with help from her husband she obtained the encouragement to pursue a postgraduate diploma to finish her M.Tech and later obtained a job. Submit this, she gained information on the sector and continued to work, till she obtained the arrogance to begin her personal enterprise six years again.
Panneer positive has a protracted strategy to go earlier than her product makes its manner within the houses of rural India. And regardless that there already are a number of startups within the nation providing EVs and retrofitment options out there, her story of dedication is one to behold!
