Starting at Rs 32k, AutoNxt Automation Introduces E-Tricycle for Specially Abled

To help those who lost their livelihoods due to the pandemic, Maharashtra-based technology-driven automotive firm AutoNxt Automation has designed and produced India’s first Smart Electric Tricycle called AzaadE for the specially-abled. Additionally, it has provided the business with cash flow for support at a time when many of them came to a standstill. It has been observed that the differently abled persons in India have been using hand-cranked, three-wheeled cars since they are more affordable than other forms of transportation for short distances and give them more independence while moving from one place to another.

There are more than 18 million physically challenged people in India, and 69% of them reside in rural areas. The hand-cranked three-wheeled vehicles are challenging to drive since they require a lot of pedal power, particularly when climbing hills, which are fairly frequent in rural areas. Alternative three-wheeled electric or powered vehicles were neither practical nor sustainable for the typical person. This was a significant issue that needed to be addressed. Sensing this gap, AutoNxt Automation introduced it three-wheel electric vehicle, aptly AzaadE, as it gives independence from dependence. It was designed after interviewing over 100 physically challenged people with varying abilities.

The said EV starts at a price range of Rs 32,000.

Features

The Smart Electric Tricycle has a LED headlamp and horn, waterproof charger connectors, an ice box, a high torque geared motor, and a lightweight charger. It has a handle designed after a BMX, dual suspensions, a front disc brake, and a back electronic brake, a switch-controlled reverse gear and rust-proof multi-color paint in shades of black, blue, and red. Additionally, 2-in-1 variants with both motor power and a hand crank are available. A top speed of 25 km/h can be reached with the tricycle.

The firm supplies lithium-based batteries, which last up to five years as opposed to the lead-acid batteries found in basic electric tricycles, which last only six months.

Since it can be challenging for people with disabilities to find employment, AutoNxt includes features in special models like a foldable table, icebox, and a roof that can turn the Electric Tricycle into a mobile shop, allowing people with physical disabilities to open up shops wherever they pleased. Individuals, different dealers, governmental organisations, and NGOs, have already sold more than 1000 units.

Based on the potential for India’s domestic transportation market at the time, the company’s tricycle business later developed into an independent business. This sector will take the lead and enter the commercial market as the industry develops and India starts to embrace the e-mobility sector, opening the way for the provision of “Sustainable Living” in the future.

“We are extremely proud in introducing India’s first smart electric tricycles. During the pandemic, this idea came to our mind as almost everything including the manufacturing business was on standstill and we were waiting for the spare parts to reach us from different vendors for tractor development. In the meantime, we designed our smart electric tricycle and made its production ready. With the expertise of our Co-founder and COO Pankaj Goyal, we got the manufacturing cost reduced and the assembly process streamlined to increase our capacity. The sales of this unique innovation have accelerated and helped us with the cash flows during those times for our sustenance. Now, it has become an autonomous business that brings sustainable cash flows for the company with a business development manager and an assembly team that takes care of the end-to-end business of smart EV tricycles for the company. We wanted to contribute to our country positively with what was built, and the E-Tricycle helped our business not only survive but also thrive during those uncertain times of Covid-19. Now it truly feels like we got the blessings of all our differently abled brothers and sisters who found our product, life changing,” said Kaustubh Dhonde, Founder & CEO of AutoNxt Automation.

Founded in 2016, AutoNxt Automation, is India’s first electric tractor venture and an automation technology startup that has currently set sights on launching India’s first electric, autonomous (self- driving) tractor into the market soon.