This IIT-Hyderabad Incubated Startup Wants To Deploy 10,000 Electric Vehicles In India By 2020

Another electric vehicle startup has popped up in the Indian automotive industry amidst the ongoing EV revolution. Called PuREnergy, the new EV firm comes from the country¡¯s top educational institution¡¯s incubator, i.e. that of Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.

The company has announced its arrival with the launch of four new electric two-wheeler models. Named Egnite, Etrance, Epluto and Etron, the company says that the all-electric two-wheelers have specifically been designed for the Indian roads and conditions and offer a long-range and high performance.

Incubated at IIT Hyderabad, PuREnergy¡¯s electric vehicle vertical Pure EV is responsible for the new EV products, with an aim to deploy over 10,000 electric vehicles in the country by 2020. Meanwhile, the parent group PuREnergy is responsible for making high-performance lithium ion batteries and has developed 18,000-sq ft facility co-located with IIT Hyderabad for mass production of these electric vehicles and their batteries.

PuREnergy Etrance (L) and Etron (R) (Image: PuREnergy)

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PuREnergy was founded in 2016 by Nishanth Dongari, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, IIT Hyderabad and later joined by Rohit Vadera, an alumnus of IIT Bombay, as the co-founder. The duo is now planning to develop a network of channel partners for the sales of the EVs post their country-wide launch next month.

In addition to developing their own electric vehicles, the company has collaborated with other EV makers to supply them with lithium-ion batteries for their electric two and three wheelers. As for the current focus of development in these batteries, Nishanth Dongari says ¡°We are working in the Institute for further development of active thermal management systems, vehicle aerodynamics, and lighter weight faster chargers. This will enable us to launch high-speed electric vehicles in the future.¡±

Two of the four electric two-wheelers launched by the company are electric bicycles while the other two are electric scooters. Egnite and Etron are the e-bikes, priced at Rs 54,999 and Rs 32,999 respectively and claiming a range of 60 km each. The electric scooters, Epluto and Etrance are available at Rs 74,999 and Rs 56,999 respectively.

Pure EV factory. (Image: PuREnergy)

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While Pure EV has timed its launch rightly, announcing its arrival at a time when the industry is still in a very nascent stage, it might take more than just the timing to make a profound impact. There are other players in the market as well, which are eyeing the pie (which is due to grow soon) just as much with their products and as per the pricing and specifications, there is not a huge differentiating factor between seen here.

Recently, GoZero Mobility, another similar startup had announced its electric bicycles for the Indian market. You can have a look at what is on offer by the company here.