Amitabh Saran

CEO, Altigreen Propulsion Labs

Conversation Highlights

As an engineering first company, Altigreen focuses on technological innovation with inhouse Motor, Controller, Battery Management System, & Telematics design and manufacturing capabilities

Altigreen focuses on superfast charging network and long range, making it easier and more affordable for customers to switch to more eco-friendly modes of transportation

We educate our customers to be free from range anxiety by providing information and training on how to effectively use and charge EV’s so consumers can feel more confident and comfortable using them

How has been Altigreen’ journey so far? What makes it stands apart in the growing competitive market?

Altigreen’s vision is to make the world better for future generations by eliminating carbon from road transport.

It is an aggressively growing company that manufactures commercial electric vehicles which are best fit for last mile transportation As an engineering first company, Altigreen focuses on technological innovation with inhouse Motor, Controller, Battery Management System, & Telematics design and manufacturing capabilities Excluding the Licells, there is 93% domestic value add in our products.

Altigreen’s range of vehicle has been engineered, designed after in-depth understanding of customer load and usage pattern in India, is Made in India and Made for India Product Moreover, the company has been granted with 27 Global patents.

The manufacturing unit has been set up in Malur, Karnataka with annual capacity of 55000 units and have expanded footprints in 20 Cities across India through strong dealer and service network

Altigreen focuses on superfast charging network and long range, making it easier and more affordable for customers to switch to more eco-friendly modes of transportation.

What is your Mantra to stay Agile progressive & Inspire Innovation?

Stay customer-focused: Altigreen always puts the needs of the customer at the center of all decision-making This helps to ensure that the organization is delivering last mile solutions which meet the needs of the market and remain relevant

Embrace change: Altigreen is continuously trying out new ideas and willing to pivot strategies whenever necessary By staying flexible and adapting to changing circumstances, company will remain competitive and ahead of the curve

Foster collaboration: Encourage crossfunctional collaboration and teamwork This can help foster a culture of innovation by bringing together individuals with diverse perspectives and skill sets

In the Last 2-3 years the electric carrier segment has evolved and grown rapidly due to the rapid rise of E-commerce How do you see the growth potential for this segment?

The electric vehicle market has indeed seen rapid growth in recent years, especially in the delivery and logistics segment The rise of ecommerce has led to an increase in the demand for delivery services, and as a result, many companies have started incorporating EVs into their delivery fleets The growth potential for this segment is significant, as the demand for clean and sustainable transportation solution continues to increase Additionally, the development of new and improved EV technologies, as well as the expansion of charging infrastructure, is making EVs a more viable and practical option for delivery companies

Moreover, governments across states have implemented policies and incentives to encourage the adoption of EVs which is further driving the growth of the segment As battery technology improves and the cost of EVs continues to decrease, it is likely that we will see even more widespread adoption of EVs in the delivery and logistics sector in the coming years

Overall, the growth potential for the electric vehicle in last mile segment is substantial and will continue to increase as more companies adopt EVs and the infrastructure for charging and supporting these vehicles continues to expand

How do you see the Make In India Mission as a growth driver for the sector? Is it really going to boost indigenous innovations & reduce import dependency?

The Make in India mission aims to promote the manufacturing sector in India and make the country a global manufacturing hub The mission has been instrumental in attracting foreign investment and promoting domestic manufacturing and has the potential to be a significant growth driver, specifically for the commercial electric vehicle (EV) sector in India This, in turn, has helped to reduce India's dependence on imports and increase its competitiveness in the global market

In addition, the mission has the potential to boost indigenous innovations in the EV sector by promoting research and development, as well as by providing incentives for companies to develop new technologies and products This could lead to the development of new and improved EV technologies, which would not only help to increase the competitiveness of the Indian EV industry but also contribute to the growth of the global EV market PLI and FAME-II are examples of initiatives that are have seen significant traction in the EV industry of India

Range ANXIETY happens for 2 reasons: (1) the tested range of the battery pack is LESS than the typical (daily) distance travelled by the user; and (2) the range from the battery is not consistent with each charge. Altigreen addresses this as follows:

Battery capacity: We offer 11kWhr battery which gives a ARAI certified range of 151km With potential overloading, harsh environmental conditions and unprofessional driving, the vehicle still delivers a 120km range on city roads This range is more than the typical 90-100km that most cargo operators currently use their fossil fuel vehicles.

Better Range Prediction: Altigreen’s AI/ML and Data Science teams are constantly working to fine tune our range prediction algorithms As volume of data increases and more vehicles are used in various terrains and payloads, the learning improves, reducing any anxiety (for Distance to Empty) The same data from the moving vehicle can be used to proactively alert the driver of the battery charge (SoC) and/or its instantaneous health, thus reducing anxiety

Increase Range on demand: Earlier this year, Altigreen and Exponent Energy announced their partnership aimed at making rapid charging a reality for electric vehicles on Indian roads with the launch of the world’s fastest charging electric vehicle neEV TEZ promises 0 to 100% battery charge in 15 minutes only. Through this platform we will ensure maximum utilization of the vehicle owing to its low charging time, thereby resulting in more trips on a single day and high earnings opportunity

Expansion of charging infrastructure: One of the biggest challenges for electric vehicles (EVs) is the limited availability of charging infrastructure To address this issue, we have tied up with many charging service providers including Massive to setup AC001 (220V/16A) chargers across India Exponent Energy team has planned to set up 100+ charging station as phase one deployment in Bangalore alone and further scaling to pan India make charging stations accessible to EV owners

Customer education: We educate our customers to be free from range anxiety by