Hyderabad : SKED Rides Pvt. Ltd., the authorised dealer for EKA Mobility’s electric commercial vehicles in Telangana, on Monday late night launched the EKA AVI 3S electric autorickshaw in Hyderabad, marking EKA Mobility’s entry into the South Indian market. The vehicle features a distinctive AC-DC charging capability designed to offer greater convenience, reduce charging time and improve vehicle utilisation for commercial operators.
The launch event was held at Ala Liberty, Ranigunj, in the presence of Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, a transport entrepreneur, Sony Travels turned politician; his son Mr. Prithvi Reddy, Managing Director, SKED Rides Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Manoj Kothari and Mr. Rajender Kothari, Executive Directors, SKED Rides Pvt. Ltd.; and Mr. Kamesh Arumugam and Mr. Hari Prasad, Regional Managers, EKA Mobility. Mr. Ugamraj Nahar, President of the Telangana Automobiles Financiers Association, was among the other prominent attendees.
The EKA AVI 3S stands out with its stylish, car-like design, spacious interiors and robust body construction. Its key differentiator is its AC-DC charging capability, which enables charging through a regular 16-amp household power socket as well as DC fast charging. According to the company, this technology can reduce charging time from approximately four hours to two hours, helping drivers spend more time on the road, improve daily vehicle utilisation and potentially earn more money
The electric autorickshaw comes with a 10.7 kWh battery, an approximate on-road range of 200 km on a single charge, and a battery warranty of six years or 1,80,000 km. Priced at ₹3.85 lakh on-road, the vehicle is positioned as a practical electric mobility option for passenger transport operators.
EKA Mobility aims to sell 2,500 electric autorickshaws in Telangana during its first year of operations. The company estimates that the state offers a potential market of around 900 electric three-wheelers a month in Hyderabad and 1400 in the state, with Hyderabad accounting for a significant share of demand.
With nearly 2.5 lakh petrol and electric autorickshaws estimated to be operating on Hyderabad’s roads, the city offers considerable scope for the adoption of electric three-wheelers. The company believes that charging flexibility, driving range and operating convenience can help accelerate the transition from conventional vehicles to electric alternatives.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Kamesh Arumugam and Mr. Hari Prasad, Regional Managers of EKA Mobility, said that the launch marks the company’s foray into the South Indian market and that it plans to expand its operations to other cities in the region in the coming months.
The company has an annual manufacturing capacity of 10,000 electric autorickshaws, enabling it to cater to growing demand as it expands its geographical presence.
The Indian electric autorickshaw market is estimated at approximately 18,000 vehicles a month, with an estimated monthly market value of ₹800 crore, and is growing at an annual rate of 25–30%. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are among the country’s major autorickshaw markets, while Hyderabad and Telangana represent an important opportunity for electric mobility manufacturers.
The segment has more than 10 competing brands, making product differentiation, charging convenience, range and after-sales support important considerations for buyers.
Beyond introducing electric vehicles, EKA Mobility also plans to undertake initiatives aimed at enhancing the professionalism, confidence and public image of autorickshaw drivers.
The proposed programmes will cover driving etiquette, mobile phone etiquette, basic vehicle repairs, first aid, CPR and essential communication skills, including commonly used English words and sentences. The objective is to equip drivers with practical skills that improve passenger experience and road safety.
The company also aims to encourage drivers to see themselves as ambassadors of Hyderabad, its people and its culture, helping visitors experience the city in a welcoming and positive manner.
Pune-based EKA Mobility is an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer focused on sustainable, technology-driven mobility solutions. Its portfolio includes electric buses, trucks and small commercial vehicles for passenger transportation, cargo movement and last-mile delivery. The company aims to accelerate India’s transition towards cleaner and greener transportation through innovative electric commercial vehicles.
EKA Mobility has also secured an order for 915 electric buses for the city from the Telangana Government, 750 from Andhra Pradesh, 2430 from Karnataka strengthening its presence in the country’s electric mobility ecosystem. On the whole the company procured orders for 10,000 plus electric buses.
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