Lectrix EV Launches Battery Swap Network in Delhi, allowing EV owners to easily swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones. This new initiative aims to address range anxiety and long charging times for EVs in India.
Lectrix has set up 10 swapping stations across Delhi as part of its pilot program. EV owners can locate stations via Lectrix’s mobile app, swap discharged batteries for fully charged ones in under 2 minutes, and pay per swap via the app.
“Our battery swap model offers consumers the convenience of fast refueling and eliminates idle charging time,” said Lectrix CEO Aditya Reddy at the launch event in Delhi. “This allows EVs to be utilized for more trips per day, making them more viable for commercial use.”
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The startup currently offers battery swaps for its in-house e-scooters, the Lectrix ZX and Lectrix XP. However, it plans to expand swapping services to other EV models as the network grows.
Here’s how Lectrix’s battery swap process works:
- EV owners install Lectrix’s battery using a simple enclosure. This allows easy swapping with stations.
- When the battery depletes during a trip, users locate the nearest swap station on Lectrix’s app.
- At the station, the user scans a QR code to open the battery enclosure. A robotic arm then removes the depleted battery and replaces it with a fully charged one.
- The entire process takes 1-2 minutes. Users are billed per swap through the app, starting at Rs. 35 per swap.
- Lectrix recharges the depleted batteries at nearby facilities and redistributes them across the network.
Lectrix co-founder Varun Goenka said battery swap overcomes limitations of existing public charging infrastructure.
“Swap stations work perfectly with purpose-built EVs and remove the need for consumers to invest in charging equipment,” said Goenka.
Analysts say Lectrix’s model holds promise for making EVs more practical in India.
“For commercial vehicles like taxis and autos, swap stations offer incredible convenience versus waiting hours to charge,” said Anup Bandivadekar of the International Council on Clean Transportation. “It unlocks new use cases for EVs.”
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However, some experts say battery swap has challenges to overcome around standardization and business viability.
“For the model to scale, you need standard, interchangeable batteries across vehicle models,” said Ramesh Suriyanarayanan, an energy storage expert. “That level of ecosystem coordination is difficult.”
Lectrix plans to expand its swap network to 500 stations across metros by 2025. It joins players like Sun Mobility and Pine Labs who are also building out swap infrastructure.
With innovative EV startups forging ahead, swappable batteries could be a key enabler for faster EV adoption in India’s urban transport.
