Simple Energy the electric scooter startup claims to have raised an undisclosed amount from angel investors UiPath’s VP – Global Business and Finance Operations Vel Kanniappan, and from pre-series funding from four other investors.
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Simple Energy will be launching its first electric scooter in the month of May 2021 in Bengaluru and Delhi, followed by a formal launch in Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. They are also looking to raise USD 8-10 million (Rs 51-74 crore) in Series A funding in the second quarter of this year.
Suhas Rajkumar, Founder, Simple Energy, said. "Closing the pre-series round has given the year a great start. We’re glad to have investors like Mr. Vel and the other four investors believe in the idea of Simple Energy. This pre-series has come in at the right time as we are launching the product Mark-2 in the mid of 2021. We look forward to a long term association with them" The company had announced its prototype Mark 1 electric scooter achieved an ARAI-certified range of more than 230km with a developed-in-house 4kWh battery pack. The Simple Energy Mark 2, in comparison, is said to feature a larger, 4.8 kWh battery. Simple Mark 2's motor is expected to deliver 7 kW peak power output and will do 0-50 kph in 3.2 seconds which makes it quicker than Ather 450X. The battery pack is claimed to weigh just 6 kg and is portable with charging times of 0-100% in 1 hour 05 minutes, and 0-50% (fast charging) in 20 minutes. Simple electric scooter also claims that 79-85% local components and lithium-ion battery cells are imported from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. |
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PluginIndia's Take
The first thing you notice about the Simple Energy's electric scooter is the very unique and sleek design. Also we have an Ather style center touchscreen display. The specifications looks good with the large 4.8 kWh battery, the ARAI range of 230 km might be possible in eco mode. The scooter should deliver 100+ km in sports or power mode. But this will have to be evaluated. We wonder how the 4.8 kWh battery pack would weigh only 6 kgs. At this point we would just end up speculating, so let's wait for the launch in May.
The pricing will be key. A price point of around 1 Lakh would be attractive and would compete with Chetak, Ather 450X and the upcoming Ola electric scooter.
The challenge for Simple energy is to acquire Series A funding which will be needed post launch in May - to expand operations, scale up manufacturing and setup experience centers, channel partners etc.
We wish the startup best of luck and look forward to the launch.
The first thing you notice about the Simple Energy's electric scooter is the very unique and sleek design. Also we have an Ather style center touchscreen display. The specifications looks good with the large 4.8 kWh battery, the ARAI range of 230 km might be possible in eco mode. The scooter should deliver 100+ km in sports or power mode. But this will have to be evaluated. We wonder how the 4.8 kWh battery pack would weigh only 6 kgs. At this point we would just end up speculating, so let's wait for the launch in May.
The pricing will be key. A price point of around 1 Lakh would be attractive and would compete with Chetak, Ather 450X and the upcoming Ola electric scooter.
The challenge for Simple energy is to acquire Series A funding which will be needed post launch in May - to expand operations, scale up manufacturing and setup experience centers, channel partners etc.
We wish the startup best of luck and look forward to the launch.
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