A Convert to EVs - How ZERO21 is Revolutionising the Three-Wheeler Space in India - CEO, Rani Srinivas

For most of us electrification is synonymous with the adoption of new electric vehicles (EVs). But it was clear to Rani Srinivas, Founder and CEO of ZERO21, that we won’t be making a significant impact on emission levels unless we are able to convert old petrol and diesel vehicles into electric.

Srinivas also observed that, despite being the most economical commuting system in the world, three-wheelers have barely seen any change in aesthetics, ergonomics, or technology through the years.

A three-wheeler vehicle emits 2.96 kgs of carbon by using just one litre of diesel, and there more than 41 million auto-rickshaws plying on the roads of India alone. By solving the challenges for this segment alone, Srinivas was certain that he would have a lasting impact on the mobility space.

ZERO21 was born in December 2017, with the mission to upgrade three-wheelers in three key areas – aesthetics, ergonomics and technology. It currently has five key offerings – an L3 category passenger, a low-speed passenger, a low-speed goods carrier, conversion kit, a high-speed passenger, and a high-speed goods carrier.

“India really needs to have conversion kits. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF)...India cannot achieve a 30% electrification unless it looks at converting its existing ICE vehicles to electric. By getting a new electric vehicle, you are not arresting the old carbon emissions," Srinivas tells Auto Futures.

“Three-wheelers are by far the easiest vehicle to convert. Certain select companies have ruled this segment and have a huge market share, making it easier to convert. Because there are a lot of sentiments attached to existing vehicles, people don’t want to get rid of their current vehicles for new electric ones. Moreover, while these vehicles have excellent shelf-life, their after-life is significantly reduced on disposal. But if converted, the government is allowing for the shelf-life to increase further by five years. And we haven’t even touched upon just how unfeasible it is from a sustainability perspective to manufacture new vehicles to replace the current ones,” he explains.

It's an easy enough step for existing vehicle owners. 3kW and 5kW vehicle motors can go up to 8 kW motors peak power, meaning that drivers can accommodate full passenger capacity and more without any problem. The other clear advantage is that EVs have a significantly higher torque as compared to ICE ones. Finally, the vehicles don’t come with the constant vibration that poses a health risk to drivers, especially on prolonged use.

“I am not asking every three-wheeler owner to convert today. My request is only to the ones that have a vehicle that is older than five years, because, from that point, the maintenance cost will double.”

"Everything is Completely Indianised"

Teer, ZERO21’s passenger vehicle is a 3+1 passenger vehicle with a maximum speed of 50km/h. It has a FRP body and comes with a spacious bucket seat with oodles of leg room, zero vibration, and a specific focus on driver ergonomics. This vehicle boasts of a range of 120 -150 kilometres, which can be increased up to 200 kilometres. Even the dashboard looks nothing like the traditional dashboard. It looks minimal and comes with a 6-7 inch screen that displays kilometres, battery status and proximity to the nearest charging stations.

The Mule X, ZERO21’s goods carrier that also comes with a 50km/h high speed. It can take the payload up to 700 kgs, making it perfect to deliver goods within urban and rural areas. This vehicle, unlike most other three-wheelers, comes with a steering, which allows for the addition of a pillion seat. The container box has three options - flatbed, half-load body and closed container. These vehicles come with a standard three years of warranty on the battery pack, as well as an additional five years warranty on the chassis.

And then there is the Mule passenger vehicle. According to Srinivas, this is a, “special vehicle”.

“This is a low speed vehicle. Most e-rickshaws are cheap imports and are not built to last 5-6 years. In three-wheelers, 350 to 400 kgs is a sweet spot. Companies like confectionery manufacturers, for instance, don't distribute more than 350-400 kgs at a stretch. Now, why do you need a Bofors to kill a fly? Why would you spend INR 400,000-450,000 when the vehicle of your desired capacity can cost you only INR 250,000? This vehicle has a solid stability, with a speed of 30km/h, which is sufficient for urban traffic scenarios. Moreover, it can last for 8 to 10 years and that is very significant."

"It is completely made in India and everything is completely Indianised. In fact, we are procuring motors from TVS Motors,” he says.

Expanions Plans For South Asia

According to Srinivas, the three-wheeler segment is one that has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. On the back of this success, ZERO21 is also actively exploring the battery-swapping space. Another significant development is the fact that it has been backed by the Delhi government, which is currently putting together a panel of retrofitters.

On the topic of production, Srinivas says: “Today, we are manufacturing around 15-20 vehicles per day as per the demand. We have a huge infrastructure and will scale up as and when the demand comes. MG is our manufacturing partner. Our plant is situated in Zahirabad and stretches across 28 acres of land. We can increase our capacity to 3,000-5,000 vehicles per month based on the demand that we see.”

“This country needs about two million auto rickshaws per annum by 2030. The number of deliveries by companies like Amazon, Flipkart and Zomato are increasing, and obviously, it has to percolate on the number of vehicles that need to be added to the roads. This is why I see the three-wheeler segment as a huge space, which will contribute quite significantly to the GDP of this country and the ecosystem,” says a forward-looking Srinivas.

“Moving forward, ZERO21 is looking to expand to every nook and corner of this country within the next two years, and then further reach South Asian markets like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. We also want to come up with a state-of-art manufacturing facility within the next two to three years' time,” he concludes.