Electric vehicle (EV) use is currently promoted throughout the nation. But for many, making the conversion from ICE to EV is challenging. According to an EY analysis published in August 2022, the cost of an electric automobile is currently two times higher than the cost of an ICE counterpart, while the cost of an electric two-wheeler is fifteen percent higher. People are hesitant to purchase EVs due to their high cost and recent battery fire incidents that have been publicized.

But what if you could test drive the car before buying it? A company called SWYTCHD, based in Bengaluru, rents out electric automobiles on a monthly subscription basis. This all-inclusive subscription includes breakdown assistance, charge refunds, servicing, and maintenance.

Sameer Arif founded SWYTCHD in 2021, which offers a variety of EVs to choose from, including both two-wheelers and vehicles.

Electric vehicle subscription fees per month

For two-wheelers, the monthly fee starts at 4,000 and goes up to 6,000. Four-wheelers have a monthly fee that runs from 30,000 to 60,000 rupees.

The business offers four two-wheeler models: OLS S1 Pro, Revolt RV400, Hero Photon HX, and Ather 450X. The company offers the MG ZS EV Exclusive, Hyundai Kona Premium, TATA Tigor XZ+, and TATA Nexon EV XZ+ Lux for four-wheelers. Customers of SWYTCHD may also purchase a different vehicle each month.

charging ports

According to the corporation, the vehicle is given together with the possibility to charge (for free) at home or in a public place. SWYTCHD reimburses the consumers for the billing amount at the conclusion of the rental period.

According to a report by Your Story, if the car’s battery dies while it’s moving, the business arranges access to several public charging stations, including those operated by Ather, Kazam, Bolt, BESCOM, and Tata Power.

There are 10 cities where the one-month membership is offered: Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Surat, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.

According to the report, the business wants to raise seed money to pay for fleet employment and expansion. By 2023, it intends to put 1,000 automobiles to the road. In addition, the business is developing an app that will assist users in providing subscription information and directing them to local charging stations.

EVs in India

According to the EY analysis, sales of electric 2-wheelers are rising significantly, reaching roughly 110k in the first quarter of 2022 and then expected to reach 535k for the entire year. The paper claims that a more realistic goal of 45 to 50 percent is doable by 2030, especially in light of recent battery fire accidents. The government has set a target of 80 percent adoption of EVs by 2030.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier in June stated that all EV prices will be equivalent to the price of gasoline automobiles in the nation within a year. Gadkari added that the government is promoting the use of ethanol made from crop waste in place of gasoline and diesel. Speaking at the “TV9 What India Think Today Global Summit,” he remarked, “I am trying…within one year, the cost of electric vehicles will be similar to the cost of petrol automobiles in the country and we will save money spent on fossil fuels.”

Gadkari had additionally asked SIAM to investigate methods for reducing import dependence. The minister stated that it was time to expand the electric vehicle (EV) industry and increase the production of buses and two-, three-, and four-wheelers. He added that he had aspirations of establishing an electric highway and declared that he wanted to make India the leading producer of alternative fuel automobiles. Nitin Gadkari believes that in order to discourage the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles and to lessen pollution, alternative fuels should be prioritized.