Who says India can’t love electric cars? Just ask this startup

Photo credit: Automobile Italia

A battery-operated car has often been a source of curiosity and amusement in India. A country that loves big, flashy, fuel-guzzling vehicles that can flex some muscle on the road has not been known to care for the tiny electric car that could do it a world of good.

But one transportation startup decided to change the script one-and-a-half years ago and stepped into India’s Silicon Valley, Bangalore.

Lithium Urban Technologies was launched in June 2015 with 40 electric cars. It was billed as India’s first 100 percent electric solution for corporate transport – that is, it would operate cabs for corporate clients.

Today the cloud-based service has a 200-strong fleet of Mahindra E2O hatchbacks, is set to induct more electric car varieties, and is eyeing newer cities.

The Lithium fleet in Bangalore.

“We have proved that electric vehicles are capable of replacing ICE (internal combustion engine or fossil fuel-based) vehicles in heavy duty cycle, high mileage, and business critical applications,” Lithium founder Sanjay Krishnan tells Tech in Asia.

Four tenets are helping Lithium get ahead in urban transportation: clean, shared, distributed, and connected. “We have built our business and process around these four tenets,” says Sanjay.

That funny car

The Mahindra Reva E2O is India’s first and most well-known fully electric car. But its takers are mostly limited to green enthusiasts.

Even though it can be highly effective in congested and polluted cities, regular car buyers scoff at its tiny size, odd shape, and price, which seems high for a four-seater. Another concern is the practicality of buying a vehicle that could run out of charge in the middle of the road without a charging station in sight.

So, what made the founders of Lithium go for the Mahindra E2O?

“It is a good car, the cheapest electric vehicle, and the safest hatchback on Indian roads,” says Sanjay. “The equipment manufacturer worked with us extensively to ensure its success as a commercial or fleet vehicle.” The car can do around 120 kilometers on a full charge.

The B2B space

Zipping around