India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle designed to deliver sustained performance and convenience, Raptee’s T30, utilizes advanced high-voltage technology, typically seen in electric cars, to maximize energy efficiency, reduce heat, and enhance range and power delivery. The bike comes with an 8-year/80,000 km battery warranty, making it a reliable and innovative choice for electric mobility, shares Dinesh Arjun, Cofounder, Raptee.HV in an interview with Anurima Mondal, Editor of EVolution Auto India.
Q: Recently, Raptee.HV made a significant leap in the electric motorcycle industry by launching India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle, T30. Please tell us more about the specifications and USPs of this revolutionary bike.
Dinesh Arjun: Raptee’s T30 is India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle, designed to deliver sustained performance and convenience. It utilizes advanced high-voltage technology, typically seen in electric cars, to maximize energy efficiency, reduce heat, and enhance range and power delivery. The T30 is also India’s first motorcycle compatible with car charging stations, providing flexibility for riders to charge at a wider range of locations. Offering performance equivalent to a 250-300cc petrol bike and priced competitively, the T30 ensures cost savings from day one. With its onboard charger, riders can easily charge at any standard outlet or public charging station. The bike comes with an 8-year/80,000 km battery warranty, making it a reliable and innovative choice for electric mobility.
Q: What challenges did you face while turning this dream into a reality? How were you able to mitigate those challenges?
Dinesh Arjun: At Raptee.HV, turning our vision of launching India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle into reality came with significant challenges. Securing funding was one of the biggest hurdles, as developing high-voltage architecture and building multiple subsystems from scratch required substantial investment. Convincing investors to back such advanced, unproven technology, especially during “funding winters” when deep-tech investments slowed down, was not easy. Another major challenge was the lack of an established supply chain for high-voltage components in the EV sector. With no readily available infrastructure, we had to collaborate with local suppliers to develop these components from the ground up, which was both time-consuming and costly for us and our vendors. To mitigate these challenges, we focused on building a strong technical foundation that demonstrated the potential of our product, which helped gain investor confidence. Additionally, by fostering close partnerships with Tier 1 suppliers, we gradually developed our own supply chain, overcoming the obstacles of component availability and manufacturing constraints.
Q: Raptee.HV has also revealed its plans to open ‘Tech store.HV’ at its headquarters in Chennai. What are you planning to offer your customers through this factory-integrated store?
Dinesh Arjun: Raptee.HV’s ‘Tech Store.HV’ at our headquarters in Chennai, offers customers a unique and immersive experience. This factory-integrated store will allow visitors to explore our advanced high-voltage technology and take a look at our electric motorcycles up close. Customers will have direct access to our technical experts for in-depth discussions on product features, as well as the opportunity to tour our factory and witness the manufacturing process firsthand.
Q: Technological innovations and the growth of digitalization are driving a significant evolution in every sector. What digital and direct-to-consumer offerings does Raptee.HV have for its customers?
Dinesh Arjun: At Raptee.HV, we are leveraging technological innovation and digitalization to offer a seamless and personalized experience to our customers. Our direct-to-consumer offerings are designed to enhance convenience and engagement at every stage of the customer journey.
One of our key offerings is the Raptee.HV mobile app, which serves as a comprehensive platform for riders. Through the app, customers can monitor their motorcycle’s performance in real-time, access detailed ride statistics, track battery health, and locate nearby public charging stations. The app also allows users to select riding modes, upload documents, and receive notifications about software updates, all from the convenience of their smartphone.
In addition to digital features, we have a factory-integrated Tech Store.HV at our Chennai headquarters, where customers can explore our motorcycles in person and receive expert guidance. These digital and direct-to-consumer offerings reflect our commitment to combining technology with customer convenience, providing a seamless, connected experience for every rider.
Q: What developments have Raptee.HV made in terms of market expansion? What are your future plans?
Dinesh Arjun: Raptee.HV is currently focused on expanding its market presence across India, starting with setting up our own stores. In the first year, we plan to establish stores in eight key cities, rolling them out in a phased manner to ensure a smooth entry into various regions. From the second year onwards, we aim to introduce a dealership model, allowing us to scale and make our motorcycles more accessible nationwide. In addition to our domestic expansion, we have ambitious plans for global growth, with a target of entering the international market within the next two years.
Q: The current Indian government has set a target of achieving 30 percent electric vehicle penetration by 2030. What are your views on the EV industry? What would be Raptee.HV ‘s contribution to this journey?
Dinesh Arjun: The Indian government’s target of achieving 30 percent electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030 is a pivotal step toward sustainable transportation, and we see this as a transformative opportunity for the EV industry. While two-thirds of the Indian two wheeler market comprises motorcycles, EV penetration in this segment has been relatively slow. At Raptee.HV, we are committed to accelerating this transition by offering a high-value proposition through our advanced high-voltage electric motorcycles. By addressing key concerns like range anxiety and charging time, along with ensuring compatibility with public charging infrastructure, we aim to make EV ownership more accessible and convenient. Our focus on performance and practicality positions Raptee.HV to play a crucial role in driving EV adoption in the motorcycle market, contributing significantly to the government’s vision of a greener future.