SUN Mobility is an electric vehicle energy services company founded in 2017[3][4][5][6] that develops, manufactures and operates battery swapping infrastructure [7] for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and larger commercial vehicles.[8][9] Battery swapping as a technology helps accelerate the faster adoption of electric vehicles due to the lower upfront purchase price of electric vehicles, and the lower running costs - particularly in the case of commercial applications.[10]
The company is a joint venture[11] between the SUN Group and the Maini Group,[12] both companies in the areas of electric mobility and clean energy. The company is co-founded by Chetan Maini, the founder of the Reva Electric Car Company[13] (now known as Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited), Uday Khemka, Vice Chairman of SUN Group, and Ajay Goel, Co-Founder & Executive Director.[14] Anant Badjatya is the current CEO of the India business, since March 2022.[15]
History
In 2019, Bosch (company) made an investment in SUN Mobility to the tune of $25 million[16] and has since been a technology partner. Vitol, the Dutch oil trading organization, is also an investor in the company having made an investment of $50 million in 2021.[17]
In 2023, SUN Mobility began international operations with Shell being a partner in the Philippines.[18]
Operations
A lady swapping passenger auto-rickshaw batteries at a SUN Mobility Swap Point
Battery swapping as a technology addresses common roadblocks to electric vehicle adoption such as high up-front costs, range anxiety, battery management concerns and battery pack obsolescence.[19] SUN Mobility's battery swapping technology enables users to purchase their electric vehicles without a fixed battery pack, and subscribe to a battery swapping service that allows them to simply swap a depleted battery for a fully charged, temperature-controlled battery pack.[20][21]
SUN Mobility offers Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS)[22] and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)[23] as two solutions to its customers.
SUN Mobility operates over 600 battery swapping points [24][25] across India, and has the leading market share in e-auto and e-loader (three-wheeler cargo vehicle) categories, the highest market share in swappable e-bikes, and about 50% market share in e-rickshaws in northern parts of India.
Products and services
The second-gen Battery Pack 'S2.1', launched in January 2023
SUN Mobility provides modular Smart Batteries that are smaller, lighter than conventional fixed EV batteries, and swappable in a few minutes. The second-generation Smart battery S2.1 was launched at the Delhi Auto Expo[26] in January 2023. This new model of the battery offers a higher capacity compared to the earlier generation battery, and comes with enhanced safety features.
The 3-dock Swap Station 'SwapX' launched in January 2023
The SwapX is a battery swapping station that was developed by SUN Mobility to improve the density of the battery swapping network. SwapX was launched in January 2023 at the Delhi Auto Expo.[27] It comes with 3 docks and can be installed within an area of 4.5 to 6 sq. feet, and requires a 15A power supply to operate.
Partners and network
A Swiggy delivery rider swapping a battery at a Swap Point
SUN Mobility has partnered with fleet operators (such as Amazon,[28] Zomato,[29] Swiggy[30]), shared mobility service providers, and automotive OEMs(such as Omega Seiki Mobility,[31]Hero Electric,[32] Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.[33], and a few others) across vehicle platforms including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers to bring battery swapping to a wider user base across India.
