CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Dinesh Arjun,CEO & Cofounder,Raptee
- Inventing a groundbreaking product like the Raptee EV involves significant innovation. Could you provide insight into the inspiration and technological journey that led to the creation of the Raptee EV motorcycle?
India is a country with the youngest population in the world. A lot of us grew up looking at India’s uprise on a global level with several Indians and Indian startups making a massive impact on the global stage over the last decade.
Coming out of college with an engineering degree, there was a fascination towards the Indian automotive sector due to the exposure gained from intercollegiate competitions like Baja and Supra. That fascination led us to explore the electric two-wheeler market in India and we noticed a massive void with a lack of technology and a supply chain heavily reliant on imported components. We felt there was a need to build the technology and sub-components within India that would serve as the backbone for the entire industry. We realized getting into the two-wheeler market in India was not just about building a superior product but also tapping into the emotions of the Indian society where motorcycles have been a household mandate.
That’s how Raptee had started with an idea of building a safe, smart and sustainable electric motorbike for the Indian market, by the Indian tech geeks, in the Indian mainland.
- Can you tell us about the key design principles and features that set the Raptee EV motorcycle apart from traditional gasoline-powered motorcycles and other electric motorcycles in the market?
The design of an electric motorcycle requires a change in the design process where certain things have to be designed keeping the powertrain in mind. The basics remain the same because that’s what makes it a motorcycle. Building on the basics, there is a huge difference in the packaging and layout as a huge battery pack and motor replaces the typical outdated ICE form factor. ICE has a different emotion of a lot of complex things integrated into one piece whereas it comes down to very less moving and less visually complex things in EVs. This emotion has to be conveyed throughout the design whereby seeing the motorcycle, it has to be instantly recognizable as an EV. This emotion has led us to VISUAL MINIMALISM which we have as the base character of our design. This design identity in combination with the completely new package and powertrain is what we feel is going to set RAPTEE apart from other motorcycles in the market.
- Looking ahead, what are the future goals and aspirations for the Raptee EV motorcycle?
Our vision for Raptee over the next year is to strategically expand into the top 10 markets in India, strengthening our foothold as a well-recognized and preferred brand within the competitive EV industry. We aim to achieve this by offering the most aspirational yet accessible products, emphasizing best-in-class features as our unique selling proposition (USP). Our commitment to delivering a premium customer experience and striving for the highest levels of customer satisfaction will be paramount. Looking ahead, our long-term goal is to establish a nationwide presence across India within the next five years.
In addition, we expect to achieve a maximum production capacity of 100,000 units annually. Our volume plan for the first year is to produce 8,000 to 10,000 units, with a revenue target of 200 Crores. For the second year, we aim to produce approximately 40,000 units, with a revenue goal of 1000 Crores.
- How you foresee Future of EV motorcycle industry with advanced technology?
Electric Vehicles are becoming more connected, with features such as over-the-air updates and smartphone integration. We can also expect to see more customization options for electric vehicles, as manufacturers cater to the needs of different riders.
EVs are also becoming increasingly equipped with advanced rider assistance systems (ADAS), such as ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control. These systems are helping to make electric vehicles safer to ride.
With advances in battery technology, motor technology, and other areas, electric vehicles are becoming more practical, affordable, and appealing to consumers.
