This Startup Claims To Swap EV Batteries In Just 2 Minutes!

A new Indian startup is developing cutting-edge battery swapping solutions for electric vehicles (EVs). BatteryPool, founded by Ashwin Shankar, has created self-service swapping stations where two- and three-wheeler operators can swap their OEM batteries for fully charged packs. It’s a novel logistics solution for fleet operators, and 85 such swapping stations are already in operation. 

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily gaining ground in the country, but they are limited by, among other factors, the lack of a reliable, widespread public charging infrastructure. Several two- and three-wheelers come with swappable battery packs that can effectively eliminate the time that’s wasted while waiting for an EV to charge. But since only the manufacturers themselves provide the swapping facilities for now, it is a convenience only a select few buyers can avail of. 

BatteryPool’s solution is battery agnostic – it can be configured to charge different kinds of swappable batteries. That said, each charging station caters to a specific make and model of vehicle. 

The swapping stations can be a compelling alternative to charging stations for electric two-wheelers in India since it’s much quicker to swap batteries than to charge an EV. These charging stations will help fleet operators such as delivery service providers keep the vehicles on the road for longer. More importantly, BatteryPool also provides software as a solution (SaaS) for companies looking to incorporate the swapping stations into their business operations. 

How does it work?

Any EV bike or scooter user who’s affiliated with one of BatteryPool’s associated operators can find the nearest swapping station using the operator’s smartphone app. Once at the station, they can simply scan the QR code with the app and place their depleted battery in the slot provided. Once the freshly charged battery is installed, that’s it! The vehicle’s original battery gets charged up at the optimum OEM-specified rate. 

Each station is configured for a single type of swappable EV battery. “It's operator assisted, so one operator can be at the location to help with the swap process,” BatteryPool tells us. “We enable operators who want to run their batteries as a service. They offer various services ranging from a subscription service to a pay per swap service.” 

Also read: 

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• Swappable Batteries vs Fast Charging: Which One Is Better?
• BREAKING: Bounce Infinity E1 Electric Scooter With Swappable Battery Launched At Rs 45,099 Onwards

The startup provides swapping solutions to fleet operators who keep a diverse fleet of electric scooters and bikes road-ready around the clock. BatteryPool already serves clients such as Big Basket, and works with major electric two-wheeler makers and battery manufacturers in India. 

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The charging and swapping stations are scalable for different brands and models of EVs. Even the number of doors can be configured depending on the number of removable battery packs you need for your vehicle. For example, an Ultraviolette F77 electric motorcycle has with three swappable packs, so you'll be able to reserve up to three charging slots and battery packs for it. 

BatteryPool provides the software architecture for the logistics of the service. The charging stations are connected devices, so they can update the state of charge of each of the battery packs online. The batteries themselves take around three to four hours to juice up, and the charging speeds are kept moderate to increase the battery packs’ service life. 

Future Plans

“We want to deploy 1000+ swapping stations in the next two years for electric two- and three-wheelers,” says Ashwin Shankar about the company’s future plans. Although it’s based in Pune, BatteryPool is currently focused on expanding in the country’s capital. “Our initial focus remains the Delhi NCR market and Bangalore is our next target market.”

For a startup, investment in this emerging technology is crucial for expansion. Ashwin illustrates, “There is limited appetite for (independent charging/swapping stations) given the technology risk associated with investing in such assets.” 

BatteryPool’s swapping service could even allow EV makers to provide select fleet-oriented models without factory-fitted battery packs. This would help to bring down the upfront purchase cost of these electric two-wheelers and allow them to run on rented batteries throughout their service lives. 

The government push for EV innovation in India is fairly recent. The central government’s 2019 FAME-II scheme and state government EV policies provide the legal framework for setting up swapping stations in the country. Concessions announced in 2021 for chip manufacturing, along with a vision to establish India as an innovation hub for EV technology, are expected to encourage more investors and independent business people to invest in emerging local startups such as BatteryPool. 

Let us know in the comments if BatteryPool’s charging solution motivates you to get an electric two-wheeler.