Blue Energy Motors Unveils Truck With Swappable Battery, Mumbai-Pune Electrified Corridor

Blue Energy Motors, backed by Essar, has unveiled a new heavy-duty truck designed for long-range cargo shipping thanks to its swappable battery system. As part of its aim to develop zero-emission trucks, the company has also disclosed plans to establish battery swapping stations along all major national highways over the next three years, allowing for its trucks to move between major cities without delays for recharging. 

The truck was launched at Blue Energy Motors’ manufacturing facility at Chakan, near Pune, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Claiming “unlimited range” thanks to the battery swapping technology, the company also promises the lowest cost of ownership and highest payload carrying capacity in its segment. 

The 4x2 truck has a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) of 55 tonnes, and a 350kW motor with a four-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is 0-30 kmph in four seconds. It’s designed with a driver-friendly cabin including four-way adjustable seats, armrests, and climate control. The company also offers cruise control and hill start assist among other conveniences.

Battery capacity can range from 282kWh to 423kWh, and can be charged to 80 percent in 45 minutes using the company’s 240kW CCS2 fast chargers. Blue Energy Motors says its “Module to Bracket” battery technology is a first for India, and allows for better scalability and energy density.

Battery swapping is a fully automated process that requires no human intervention, and takes around five minutes. This minimal downtime will allow for increased efficiency for truck operators. The company says such swapping stations can be established easily along highways and at depots or other high-traffic industrial facilities to support large fleets. Swapping stations use advanced robotics and can be operational 24/7. 

Both battery swapping and fast charging facilities have been established along the Mumbai - Pune corridor, as a strategic move towards developing the infrastructure to back a nationwide logistics network. Battery swapping stations and depots will be outfitted with smart load management technology to manage demand, optimise costs, and minimise turnaround time. Batteries are also constantly monitored for health and charging needs in real-time. 

Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder and Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, said in a press statement “We believe that this is the beginning of the EV revolution in India for heavy-duty trucks. Our electric truck delivers unlimited range through battery swapping, the highest payload in its category and advanced mobility intelligence for fleet reliability. The Mumbai - Pune corridor is the first step in building a nationwide network of sustainable logistics, driving India’s green freight future forward.”

With a combination of trucks, infrastructure, maintenance support and technology, the company is pushing for “energy-as-a-service” to allow for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels in the heavy-duty truck sector. The company also says it is building an ecosystem of suppliers and strategic partners to help its customers scale in an economically viable manner. 

Blue Energy Motors also offers LNG trucks to meet its goal of accelerating energy transition and sustainability to disrupt the heavy-duty, carbon-intensive freight sector. LNG trucks are said to reduce CO2 emissions by 30 percent, CO by 70 percent, and SOx by 100 percent, along with reducing particulate matter emissions and noise pollution. The manufacturing plant at Chakan has a capacity of 10,000 trucks per year.