There was a time when Rs 1000 worth of petrol was a big amount for us but now, many of us are getting used to the rising prices. But little do we know that this is not just making a hole in our pockets but also in the environment.
However, now we have the option of Electric Vehicles (EVs), but people have their doubts.
Sivasankari TP, the awesome founder of AR4 Tech, has brought something different! She has come up with an amazing solution: to turn regular gas cars into electric ones for only Rs 39,900. 😱
Yes, you read it right!
Early Life and Background
Sivasankari T P is from a remote village of Thakkolam, in Kanchipuram. There, girls’ education was often discouraged when she was young, but still she made a remarkable journey.
With her dad supporting her education, Sivasankari and her sister became the first females of the village to graduate. She now has a degree of MTech in Information Technology.
The support of her family became the strongest foundation of her career which she began as a lecturer. But inspired by her family’s advice to pursue entrepreneurship, Sivasankari took up different ventures: selling exquisite silk sarees to herbal hair treatment businesses.
But COVID-19, just like every other startup, halter her business. However, she discovered some new opportunities during the time.
Entering a New Industry
In late 2019, she migrated to Coimbatore and started working as an operations manager at EMF Innovations (2-wheeler electric motor manufacturer).
She nailed the job by hiring the backbenchers because, being a lecturer, she knew their talents and capabilities. A teacher knows it all!
The Unique Step
Using her real-life expertise from EMF, where they were at the forefront of designing motors for Indian roads, she and Mahesh Pandey (her colleague) decided to try something different: transform regular vehicles into electric vehicles.
That was a bold step! 🤔
For their unique and new approach, Professor CC Hong (her mentor) decided to invest in the idea. After this, AR4 Tech was all set to turn this idea into reality under Sivasankari’s leadership.
But Why?
Because she saw and realized the gap. Electric vehicles in India are far beyond the reach of middle-class people. Here, they are not EVs; they need to be considered luxury cars because of their prices.
She realized ki bhaiyya, market mein zarurat to hai but product budget mein nahi hai sabke. And this led to the birth of AR4 Tech (Automotive Repair, Refurbish, Repurpose, and Recycle) in 2021.
Her Approach:
To convert internal combustion engines (ICE) of 2-wheelers into EVs.
This is their primary focus, and the price range set for the work done is Rs 39,900.
It is even less than the OLA Gig e-scooter.
After getting things done, she obtained approvals for popular models such as the Honda Activa and TVS Zest. This thoughtfully designed kit is specifically crafted for widespread appeal, keeping women in mind.
The conversion process is smooth and simple with Sivasankari’s distinct idea: no-weld, no-grind, no-cut, and no-drill approach.
What Does the End Result Offer?
Presently, they are offering conversions with a 50 km range and 40 km/h speed. This is backed by a 3-year warranty on the motor and battery, plus 1-year warranty on the controller.
Additionally, Tamil Nadu-based AR4 Tech also transforms older Tata Dost vehicles into electric golf carts and makes them ideal for in-campus transportation.
HOW?
They enhanced the design to incorporate a battery pack. Other than that, no fabrication is required. They simply remove the internal combustion engine and seamlessly replace it with the battery kit using a plug-and-play approach.
You know, the converted vehicles can be fully charged within 3 hours from a 15-amp socket. 😍 Also, you can travel 80 km per day with a fully charged vehicle.
Now that is engineering! 🧑🏼🔬
Apart from This, How AR4 Tech Holds the Market?
Their focus on localization makes them different.
No Imports.
All 4 components are sourced from local markets.
From self-designed and procured motors to their own sodium-ion battery pack management plant. This way, the startup is controlling the entire conversion process.
Furthermore, to reduce the vehicle’s weight, the team uses composite materials. You won’t believe this reduces around 170 kgs of vehicle weight.
The idea to use sodium-ion batteries and solar panels makes the converted vehicle efficient.
Finding a place in tier 3 and 4 cities
Targeting Tier 3 & 4 Cities
In contrast to most EV companies that target urban markets, AR4 Tech is approaching Tier 3 and 4 cities.
Not just like that!
This shows AR4 Tech’s strong connection with communities outside major metropolitan areas. Their decision proved the most intelligent one because 95% of its two-wheeler sales were from these areas; 800 vehicles were sold after the startup got its ARAI approval.
Dedicated Marketing Strategy
AR4 Tech follows a focused marketing strategy. Each week, a dedicated team visits towns like Pollachi, Karur, and Tiruppur to find local social media influencers. Then vehicle demonstrations are arranged at schools and public events.
To invite people and promote these demonstrations, the team distributes notices and puts up banners to showcase their EV conversions and connect with potential customers.
3 types of inquiries received from these events: individual conversions, requests for skilling opportunities, and interest in dealerships.
Interestingly, AR4 Tech caters to all three. It offers a comprehensive approach that expands its reach and also empowers these communities to adopt sustainable transportation.
A Looming Concern: Is it Going to Blast?
This is a major concern with electric vehicles, as there have been numerous accidents. But as per Sivasankari, AR4 uses only FLP and sodium batteries as the company was concerned about NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery usage in India because cobalt is a reactive material and susceptible to blasts.
It Wasn’t A Smooth Ride for AR4 Tech: Challenges and Solutions
First and foremost, navigating the regulatory landscape was challenging. Getting approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and state transport was another challenge on their plates.
Another challenge was the ongoing validation processes and changing GST rates for second-hand vehicles.
However, Sivasankari never faltered and kept learning from these experiences. Although she struggled when answering technical questions, her team supported her along the way.
Uplifting women power, 25% of the employees in AR4 Tech are women, and the company is proud of it.
Due to the rise of electric vehicles, there have been a potential for job displacement. Acknowledging this, AR4 Tech is dedicatedly providing comprehensive training and skill development programs to facilitate all vehicle transitions.
Ranging from short courses to 3-month diplomas certified by the Automotive Skill Development Corporation and the World Skills Council, these courses provide skills needed for progressing in the automotive landscape.
The startup has trained more than 200 people until now.
While learning, teaching, and transitioning in 2024, AR4 Tech made a revenue of around Rs. 1.67 crores, and the company aims to achieve the. Rs 4 crore mark in this financial year.
What Next?
The startup aims to expand beyond conversions and have plans to start an academic unit for training purposes, which will offer a 1-year design course for service technicians and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Next, they are focusing on hydrogen and drone technology and designing their vehicles, which is clear in their current projects.
With her vision that sustainability should be accessible for all, Sivasankari is realizing this by providing a cost-effective alternative amid rising fuel prices and environmental issues. With strong leadership and a great team, AR4 Tech is aiming to transform India’s transportation.
I am going to AR4 Tech and convert my car into an EV. 🙌🏼
