From energy equipment to clean energy products – Powergear sustainability and Reep Motors scale new heights in sustainable energy business

Over the past decade or so, sustainability has become the mantra of the manufacturing sector. Technical and innovative disruptions across the globe have led companies to look at sustainable manufacturing and a sustainable business model as viable options. Indian companies are not far behind in this contention, and one such pioneer in the industry is Powergear.

The humble beginning
Founded in 1980, under the able leadership of its Chairman Durairaj X, Powergear is a cutting-edge company that designs, manufactures, and supplies quality products for traditional and renewable power generation. Essentially, Powergear’s core competency lies in creating customized designs and supplying medium voltage equipment, Battery Energy Storage Solutions and such products to all the OEMs. The company has a dedicated research and development (R&D) department recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). Powergear is based out of Chennai and exports to over 65 countries.

In 2017, Powergear diversified into another unit called Powergear Sustainability and operates through Reep Motors (a brand in its aegis). Reep Motors is primarily focused on the electric vehicle (EV) business. Based out of Chennai, Reep Motors started with market research initially and now manufactures EVs.

Reep Motors first forayed into three wheelers, and has now developed over 12 different models. First among its product launches include a three-wheeler variant which is designed to carry a payload of 500 kgs (whereas a typical L3 variant is required to carry up to 300 kgs), while its L5 variant is designed to haul up to one tonne (whereas a typical L5 variant takes up to 640 kgs). The unique designs of these two variants are generating a large order book year on year. In 2019, Reep secured a large order of about 3000 units solid waste disposal from its esteemed customers and till date all vehicles are running successfully.

The next steps: What Powergear is doing
In-line with Chairman Durairaj’s vision, Powergear is now looking at expanding its business portfolio this fiscal year. On one hand it is looking to build its sustainability business platform, which would essentially consolidate the EV business with REEP Motors being a significant business opportunity.

The other aspect of this expansion plan is the energy storage systems (ESS), which would create battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the EV business and also build energy storage solutions for residential and commercial establishments. Powergear is in the process of executing Energy Storage projects to the tune of ₹230 crores in India.

As the Managing Director of Powergear, Rajesh Durairaj puts it, “At Powergear we are taking sustainability to our heart. Our current products and future product offerings would be taking this into consideration.” As part of its growth efforts in EV, a new electric coach bus has been developed with a range of 320 kms on a single charge.

Rajesh adds their hope is to “transform inter-city mobility – a key driver to emissions. With every bus ride, we intend to save approximately 8 kgs of CO2 per user per ride.”

“Further, Thanks to our business partners and Customers, our specially designed three wheelers run over 16,000+ Chennai streets and help in moving solid waste from its source. Every day our vehicles impact more than 3.7 million residents of Chennai,” he added.

Talking about the future of Reep Motors, the Executive Director at Powergear, Dr Srini Venu believes that the EV today is not 100% pure electric as people are using power from the grid to charge their vehicles which are essentially not clean energy.

Dr. Srini adds that keeping the future of renewable sources of energy in mind, Reep Motors is planning a renewable energy business and energy trading under the sustainability platform. “Our factories would become rooftop solar powered. And we are also doing pilots for battery storage systems with a couple of battery chemistries and hydrogen technology.”

The bright clean future
Dr Srini indicates that Reep Motors will be launching their 45-seater video coach (electric) in another four months for intercity and tourism purposes. A test run of the bus between Bengaluru and Chennai has already been completed successfully. For the commercial heavy-duty segment, Reep motors are launching an easy-load four-wheeled e-loader with a payload capacity of 3.5 to 4.5 tonnes. The chassis for this variant is being built in-house, along with the battery, and is looking at a launch by early next year. As of now, Reep Motors has an order book worth over Rs 300 crores across segments.

Reep Motors is also in talks for introducing next-gen transmission technology. A compact and cost-effective solution, this technology could be a game changer in the EV business. They plan to build about 50 prototype samples for the same in the second half of 2023. Reep may also look into need-based hydrogen technology.

The road ahead
Apart from its focus on traditional Medium Voltage Power Generation equipment, Powergear is looking to expand its business in Electric Vehicles, Battery Energy Storage, Energy trading and Renewable Energy development. The Board of Powergear is looking forward to creating a sustainable eco-system for its motives and is always seeking partners, either equity or technology, in taking its endeavour forward.

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