Patna: A Hyderabad-based company, Zero21, made its foray in to the three-wheeler segment in Bihar with noted Bhojpuri actor Pankaj Keshri on Tuesday launching the company’s two upgraded variants of commercial electric vehicles (EVs), one for passenger and another for goods career, here at a function held in Patna City.
Former information technology manager of Tesla Rani Srinivas, who founded Zero21 and heads it as the chief executive officer (CEO) was also present at the event with his chief operating officer R Sasidhar at the opening of Auto India as the state distributor. Srinivas said that unlike the existing e-rickshaws, which are assembled on hallow frames, Zero21 vehicles are made on robust chassis and come with metal body and improved suspension. “We care for comfort and safety of passengers and use world class technology to make the vehicles stand out,” said Srinivas.
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Pankaj Keshri, who originally hails from Bhojpur and acted in many films in Hindi, Bhojpuri, Telugu and other South Indian languages, said it was pleasure associating with the company as its brand ambassador as it is built with trust. “I have come here for the launch as I wanted the people of Bihar to experience a comfortable ride for those depending on three-wheelers to travel short distances,” said the actor.
The new vehicles come with solid steal chassis frame and enhanced passengers’ safety. “The EVs are being made on ‘Make in India’ concept of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These vehicles are not only robust, reliable, spacious and durable than others available in the market, but also trackable from anywhere with the help of Internet of Things (IoT) intervention,” said the company’s CEO, adding the launch of passengers’ vehicle in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad had been overwhelming.
Company’s COO Sasidhar said that the vehicles come with 1.50 Kilo watt motor and normal lead acid battery, which run at the top speed of 35km per hour and travels at least 100km on single charge. However, the upper end variants, coming with high efficiency lithium ion batteries run at the top speed of 65kmph and travel longer distances on single charge.
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Owner of Auto India, which is local distributor of Zero21 Auto, Awadhesh Kumar said hoped that the new EVs would be lapped up by auto owners, as they had improved safety features for passengers and cost effective operation for transporters. “The passenger’s vehicles has seating capacity for at least six persons, while the loader is powered to carry consignment weighing more than 850kg,” said Awadhesh Kumar.
Auto-mobile engineer Birendra Kumar Rai said that the break assembly and power of the vehicles were simply unparallel. “It gives passengers the feel of riding in a car with no noise or pollution. The vehicle is spacious and available on finance. It’s chassis has warrantee of seven years, while its motor and controller come with three year warrantee. The price for vehicle starts around ₹2 lakh, which is nothing for the kind of comfort and safety the EVs offer,” said Rai.
