Top electric cargo three-wheeler in India

The market for all-electric cargo three wheeler is looking highly attractive as customers are finding them affordable to use for their last-mile cargo & logistics needs. We list the top cargo e-auto models available in India right now that you can explore before you decide to buy one.  

Like the rest of the world, the Indian automotive industry is facing the imminent disruption of electric vehicles. EVs are greener and offer sustainable mobility solutions, while their adoption is taking place gradually as the battery technology continues to evolve. A lot of action is taking place in India too, both from the government and manufacturers to take a lead to become a global EV hub. The wider EV adoption is still facing price and infrastructure hiccup, however, there is already a shift taking place in the affordable, modest last-mile three wheeler segment with growing appetite for full-electric vehicles. 

The last-mile electric 3W segment has been booming for the past few years as they are more convenient and economical to run on feeder routes, short distance passenger carriers and other applications. An owner or a driver running a 3W on a short or feeder route can make a good amount of money without almost no running cost. Moreover, the e-auto is easy to charge and run efficiently for a day operation, besides being totally green, noise-free. This has fueled sharp uptick in a relatively short time, while passenger carrier e-auto are already witnessing high growth; the cargo applications also started to gain traction. There are quite a few key OEMs that have entered this segment aiming leadership in this highly disruptive segment. 

So which are the leading cargo e-auto that are on sale in India? What do they offer? We answer these key questions by bringing you the top five e-auto you can buy right now. Lets dive right in.

Mahindra Treo Zor 

Mahindra is the only major Indian OEM that is looking at EV as a major opportunity both in the personal and commercial segment. To address this market which is still nascent, the company has introduced some of the most promising products. In the cargo three wheeler segment, it has launched an all-new e-auto Treo Zor. This new kid on the block from Mahindra is a true all-electric platform, first of its kind in India that comes with multi-variant models. Treo Zor is an indigenously developed cargo electric-three wheeler suitable for all kinds of transport & logistics needs. 

Treo Zor has been available right from the launch in Pickup, FlatBed and Delivery Van share the same configurations. For reliable performance, Zor is fitted with a new generation lithium-ion battery in 48V voltage, with a capacity of 7.37 kWh. You get a 125 km range in a single full charge that takes just 4 hours to charge. The peak power of 8kW and a higher torque of 42Nm is adequate to take on all cargo loads no matter which terrain it is running. The transmission is a direct driver technology. 

Treo Zor comes with equally strong aggregates such as the durable suspension, front & rear brakes are in hydraulic type while the parking brake is the mechanical lever type. The top speed is 50 kmph, quite enough for city or rural applications. The turning radius is 3.05m and a gross weight of 995 kg and ground clearance of 123mm.

Not only the powertrain and aggregates but the key features are also a major highlight of this cargo vehicle. Zor comes with a real time performance tracking, monitoring operation, data and machine learning, making it not only a cargo vehicle but a truly connected and new-age vehicle to run an efficient transport business by managing the fleet quite professionally.  

Kinetic Safar Jumbo

Kinetic Green is another major manufacturer that is betting big on the last-mile all-electric vehicles. The company has introduced some of the unique electric vehicles suitable for Indian operating conditions that are reliable, strong and equipped with modern technologies at an affordable cost. Kinetic has launched the Safar Jumbo recently to offer a most suitable last-mile cargo three-wheeler to Indian entrepreneurs and business owners. 

The Safar Jumbo is a 1T gross weight cargo 3W fitted with a BLDC motor that promises a peak power of 6 KW supported by an IP 67 rating controller. For smoother driving experience a two-speed gearbox and modern advanced lithium-ion fixed battery of 48 V that has 8.2 kWh of capacity. Interestingly, Kinetic also offers the swappable battery option so that you don’t have to worry about running out of range. Safar Jumbo comes with as many as three driving modes high, medium, and low. The maximum speed of this cargo 3W is 55km with a full payload capacity of 500 kg. 

Safar Jumbo also score well in terms of features including 4.00 x 10-inch wheel size, dual headlamp, mobile charger, reverse horne, steel fascia with windshield glass, seat cushion made out of PU foam, telematics, digital instrument cluster, steering lock, single key for all locks, glove box, additional lockable space below delivery box, stephany & jack along with bottle holder, etc. 

Atul Elite Cargo

The Rajkot based Atul Auto one of the major local three-wheeler makers that have established the conventional IC engine auto-rickshaw is also bullish on electric vehicles. The company is among the first OEMs to join the electric bandwagon. Atul Auto has quite a few electric three wheelers that are running on Indian roads in the cargo and passenger carrier segment. The Atul Elite Cargo is a tiny and reliable e-auto for cargo applications targeted at urban and rural areas. What makes Elite Cargo stand out among its peers is the contemporary design, loads of features and productivity. 

Elite Cargo gets a powerful 850 /1000W power motor and the controller of 48V DC 40A, the DC-DC converter is 48V DC12V 10A, and conventional affordable lead-acid battery with 12V 100 AH. Atul Auto says the Elite Cargo runs 80 km in a single full charge that can take 8-10 hours of charging time. A customer can change the battery all night to get it ready for day-time use.

Lohia Narain Cargo

Lohia Auto the three-wheeler makers also entered this EV space catering the passenger and cargo segment. The Narain Cargo e-rickshaw. This cargo rickshaw comes with a promise of lower maintenance and high loading capacity offering a solid alternative to the diesel 3W. 

Narain Cargo offers 320 kg of cargo loading capacities with flexibility and comfort on urban or rural terrains. The battery is 1-5Ah capacity, with electric start and 1950 W BLDC geared motor. The motor input is 48V. The company says this e-auto offers more than 25 kmph of top speed and mileage of over 100 kg. The wheelbase is 2040 mm, and ground clearance is 220 mm and the short turning radius of 2400 mm. The cargo deck size is 1296 L x 926 W x 270 (mm). 

Kinetic Safar Shakti

Safar Shakti is an another electric cargo 3-wheeler/E-loader that is a strong, durable, and reliable vehicle for all cargo applications. Its payload is 400 kg and runs nearly 80 km in a single charge of 10-12 hours. It comes with the conventional lead-acid type with 48V battery and PMDC motors with 850W of power, voltage control of 48V, and maximum flow control of 40 amps.

According to the company, the Safar Shakti’s operating cost is 50 paise per km which makes it a highly compelling vehicle against its diesel counterpart. You get a charger with the vehicle with an electric input AC, single phase 230v-50hz, the output is 48V/15 Amp. The company offers a 1-year warranty and the service and spare support for your superior ownership experience. 

Even the cargo e-auto segment in India is taking off gradually, it is evident that there are quite compelling products out that Indian manufacturers have introduced to sway the customers. The e-auto provides practicality, performance, affordability and is highly competitive to operate on Indian duty-cycles. Check out more on these electric cargo vehicles before you visit a retail outlet. 

Also Read 

Mahindra Treo Zor- Full- Electric Cargo Three Wheeler: All You Need to Know

Piaggio launches Ape E- City auto in Kerala

Euler Motors aims to electrify India's last-mile cargo transportation