Hero Electric To Utilise Sun Mobility’s Battery Swapping Infrastructure

Last Updated on March 10, 2022 by Anu Joy

Hero Electric has announced its partnership with a Bengaluru based firm, Sun Mobility, which provides battery charging infrastructure and battery swapping support for EVs. Sun Mobility is co-founded by Chetan Maini, who was responsible for India’s first electric car, Reva. Hero Electric plans to utilise its battery-swapping network for its two-wheelers. Hero Electric and Sun Mobility will start operations in the next three months with a view to deploying swappable batteries in 10,000 electric two-wheelers by the end of the financial year 2022-23.  

Battery Swapping For Better Performance

Some of Hero Electric’s models already feature removable batteries. The existing models are expected to receive compatible batteries provided by Sun Mobility. Sohinder Gill, CEO of Hero Electric, commented, “We have now developed E two-wheelers that will seamlessly integrate with Sun Mobility’s hi-tech swapping stations so as to give years of trouble-free performance of the composite solution”. Gill added that the Indian government is emphasising the battery swapping techniques and Hero Electric is looking forward to creating cost-effective solutions. 

Hero Electric seems to have taken a leaf out of EV startup Bounce, which recently launched its Bounce Infinity E1 electric scooter in the country. The Bounce Infinity E1’s battery pack can either be bought or leased. By adopting this business model, Hero Electric can price its electric two-wheelers more aggressively. Also, it would benefit the users as they wouldn’t need to wait for long hours to get their vehicles charged. Just visit the designated battery swap points, replace the battery pack and you are ready to go again.  

This move comes just after its major rival Hero MotoCorp announced a new sub-brand ‘Vida’ for its electric two-wheelers. Hero MotoCorp has also collaborated with a leading oil company in India, BPCL, to setup up charging infrastructure across India. Naveen Munjal’s Hero Electric looks to weather the storm coming from his uncle’s Hero MotoCorp by making this announcement.