Greta Electric Scooters offer best-in-class comfort and superior performance with mileage in the range of 100 km per charge. All four models come with DRL, EBS, reverse mode, ATA System, smart shift, Digital instrument cluster display, keyless start, disc brakes and anti-theft alarm states. Raj Mehta, Founder & MD- Raj Electromotives Pvt. Ltd. This exclusive interview unveils his passion, journey, strategy and vision towards a sustainable green and electric mobility in India. Lot of interesting reads in the below interview.
Urja Daily – Being the youngest entrepreneur in the automotive industry, how did your journey begin?
Ans- Actually, as a kid, I was required to pedal long distances on my cycle for errands. Being inherently lazy, I hated it, so I decided to find a solution. As they say “Necessity is the mother of Invention”, one thing led to another, and I chanced upon the possibility of creating an electric engine for my cycle. Even then, I was conscious of creating an environmentally friendly solution. Once hooked, I could not let go of the thought, becoming obsessed with making it a reality. Researching, seeking help from my teachers and anyone I could find, at the age of 12, I managed to create a workable model of an e-kit that converted by cycle into an e-cycle. The challenge of making it, the research experimentation, finally the sweet success not to miss the convenience it lent – I knew this is what I wanted to do in the future. Even then, I had never envisaged starting a company. But a chance interview with a leading news agency got viral, and demands for e-kits began pouring in, and I was in business. I was 14 when I set up Raj Electromotives, making me the youngest entrepreneur in the automotive industry.
Even when creating the first prototype, it was evident that the production of e-kits would require a few critical components to be imported. Hence once we started the company, I applied for an import-export license becoming the youngest person to ever apply for one and be awarded one at the age of 17. None of this would have happened if my grandfather had not stepped in to loan me Rs. 8K in exchange for being allowed to keep a close watch on my finances.
Raj Electromotives started operations by producing conversion kits for pedal cycles. It soon expanded its portfolio to include conversion kits for tricycles for differently-abled people, bikes (India’s first retro-fitment kit to convert a Petrol Bike to Electric), and pedal rickshaws, both freight and passenger rickshaws. Raj Electromotives Conversion Kits found traction both in the domestic and overseas markets. Today Raj Electromotives Pvt. Ltd. supplies to more than 19 countries across the globe.
Furthering the vision of clean commute, Make in India, and saving fossil fuel, in June 2019, I started a subsidiary of Raj Electromotives – Greta Electric Scooters, which manufactures a range of e-scooters. It was late 2019 when we received our ICAT permit.
Urja Daily – What took you from conversion kits to manufacturing 2 wheelers
Ans- My vision has always been to make the commute easy for the largest audience. I wanted it to be effortless, affordable, but kind to the environment. E-kits addressed one end of the problem. What about cities where public transport does not address the city interiors and 2- wheelers is the commute of choice? Electric scooters provide the answer, and Greta Electric Scooters was born. Electric Scooters with state-of-art features at affordable prices while contributing to a reduction in the carbon footprints globally.
Urja Daily -Today, the EV 2 wheeler segment is piping with competition, how does Greta Electric Scooters stand out
Ans- I believe our state-of-the-art features and high quality at affordable prices make us stand out. An inquisitive person at the core I have made, research a way of life at Greta Electric Scooters, we are constantly working to enhance the features and quality of our offering. Our vision to rule International markets pushes us to continually upgrade our quality standards according to the norms defined by the industry at home and abroad.
Urja Daily -How many models have you launched?
Ans- Currently, the company has rolled out four models in the market
Greta Electric Scooters offer best-in-class comfort and superior performance with mileage in the range of 100 km per charge. All four models come with DRL, EBS, reverse mode, ATA System, smart shift, Digital instrument cluster display, keyless start, disc brakes and anti-theft alarm. Greta Electric Scooters come in attractive colors, light designer consoles with extra-large storage space.
Urja Daily -What are your plans for distribution and availability?
Ans- We are in the process of expanding our local footprint. The target is 50+ touchpoints by the end of FY22. On the international front, we have a presence in Nepal, and Greta Electric Scooters are under test for certification in Select European markets.
Today to our merit, we have a charging station at the highest altitude, thanks to our recently opened showroom at Leh, Ladakh.
Urja Daily -Considering the disruption in the EV market, what are your plans going forward
Ans- We plan to work hard and stay ahead of the technology, features, and availability curve. We are here to lead and will do better than our best to achieve that.
