Battery Smart’s innovative battery-swapping technology

September 25, 2024 Innovation Valli Sarvani No comments

Battery Smart is a leading player in India’s electric vehicle (EV) battery-swapping sector.

It achieved a significant milestone recently, surpassing one lakh daily battery swaps.

The startup was founded in 2019 by IIT Kanpur graduates Pulkit Khurana and Siddharth Sikka.

It aims to simplify EV adoption through its innovative battery-swapping technology.

This approach has proven to be a game-changer, particularly for two- and three-wheeler EVs used in public transit and last-mile delivery.

Battery Smart began with its first swap station in Janakpuri, New Delhi, in June 2020.

Since then, the company has expanded to over 1,200 stations in more than 35 cities across India.

With over 55,000 drivers on its platform, the company has facilitated more than 45 million cumulative swaps.

The primary goal of Battery Smart is to make EVs more accessible and economical by addressing critical challenges like the high upfront cost of EVs, lack of adequate charging infrastructure, and long charging times.

Battery-swapping technology resolves many of these concerns.

It significantly reduces the cost of EVs by eliminating the need for users to own batteries, which account for about 40% of an EV’s production cost.

Instead, drivers can quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in less than two minutes, which mimics the refuelling experience of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

This system is especially beneficial for fleet operators and delivery personnel who rely on continuous vehicle operation.

Battery Smart operates on a “battery-as-a-service” model, which allows EV owners to pay per swap or choose subscription plans based on their needs.

The company’s interoperable lithium-ion batteries, sourced from over ten manufacturers, serve more than 200 vehicle models.

By building a dense network of swap stations across India, the company aims to ensure that users are always within a one-kilometre radius of a station.

This partner-led model involves collaborating with small businesses to host swap stations.

It has allowed Battery Smart to expand rapidly, even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where charging infrastructure is limited.

With each swap costing between ₹100 and ₹150 and offering a range of over 60 kilometres, Battery Smart continues to drive the adoption of electric mobility in India.

Image Credit: Batterysmart Website Screenshot